fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With nearly $2B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

The construction of fairlife's manufacturing facility in Webster, NY is underway. This state-of-the-art, 750k sq ft, greenfield plant is expected to be operational in late 2025 and will lay the foundation for fairlife's next phase of growth as the leading dairy nutrition provider. While coupling the industry’s latest technologies and fairlife's operational excellence to build this world-class facility, fairlife plans to hire 250 new employees and bring in approximately 5 million lbs. of milk a day, with room to grow over the coming years. 

job purpose: The Director of Operations will be responsible for the leadership and management of the packaging and processing departments from raw milk receiving through finished good palletizing. This critical leadership role will be responsible for developing the strategies and systems for the state of the art, greenfield plant currently under construction in Webster, NY. The Director of Operations will be accountable for the associated safety, quality, productivity, and financial targets across plant operations. The role will be responsible for achieving strategic objectives whilst strengthening the fairlife culture of Believe in Better and fostering a culture of measurement driven continuous improvement. The Director of Operations oversees the coordination, administration, and day-to-day management of the operational activities for processing and packaging within the facility. They will develop and implement internal operating protocol, policies, and procedures in accordance with established company policy. 

responsibilities: 

  • Responsible for the development of strategic initiatives, tactics, and standing up management systems to ensure vertical start up and continuously improve results in safety, quality assurance, productivity, and cost savings within the processing and packaging department of the plant 
  • Responsible for operations across aseptic and ESL platforms. Mastery of Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and operation of a dairy manufacturing.  
  • Develop and deploy operational systems, standard work, and operational routines to build collaboration and ownership of the team. Ensure strategies are understood and objectives are clearly set throughout operations team.  
  • Drive a strong safety culture and ensure commitment to all health and safety policies, GMP policies, and regulatory requirements. 
  • Leverage dairy knowledge, mechanical knowledge, and technical expertise to lead the team in delivering a vertical start-up of the new plant along with sustained productivity results  
  • Grow a team of capable leaders and operators with an ownership mindset by establishing effective training and development programs and work standards 
  • Partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure production plans are in accordance with plants processing capacities and capabilities and planned downtime supports operational efficiencies.  
  • Develop operational expense budgets and labor budgets for organization structure.  
  • Lead the team in developing strong problem solving skills to address root cause of efficiency losses in a fast-paced environment to meet business objectives.  
  • Communicate and engage with the workforce at every level to build trust, continuity, and collaboration throughout the teams, consistently demonstrating the fairlife culture of Believe in Better 

skills/qualifications required: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related discipline required.  
  • A minimum of 7-10 years of management experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities outlined.   
  • Aseptic processing preferred. Dairy, brewing, pharmaceutical or food manufacturing experience considered.  
  • Proven ability to identify and mitigate quality and safety risks throughout the operation 
  • A proven track record of implementing TPM or LEAN management systems.  
  • Skilled in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures 
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills and proven track record of developing and coaching people. Proven track record of developing future leaders.   
  • Ability to manage performance, coach and provide feedback. Ability to use data to develop KPIs and performance goals for team.  
  • Working knowledge of information technology and information systems such as ERP, MRP, MES, SCADA and business analytics   
  • Ability to build, lead and inspire a diverse workforce to believe in better and collaborate with a 1-Team mindset 
  • Knowledge of cost accounting, budgeting, or fiscal management principles and procedures 
  • Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment 

position location: Webster, NY 

reports to:  Plant Director 

travel requirements: up to 50% travel in the first 12 months, 10% travel thereafter  

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range:
$170,000—$185,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email careers@fairlife.com.

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