Senior Director of Plant Technical Services

Summary

The Sr. Director of Technical Services will lead all aspects of the manufacturing engineering, automation, utilities, wastewater, MRO, and spare parts inventory management functions at Chobani’s New Berlin, NY site. The successful candidate will bring the necessary experience, personal presence, and leadership to ensure that our manufacturing capability and performance meets or exceeds our expectations. The focus will be to reduce downtime and assure peak plant efficiency, understanding and controlling repair costs. This role has a responsibility for ensuring both food safety and quality of Chobani product.

Responsibilities

• Providing leadership for technical services organization, as well as employees in direct and indirect functions
• Establish and implement a TPM program in partnership with the Yogurt and Modern Food leaders
• Optimize the inventory management functions including planning and tracking MRO budgets and spending
• Supporting the plant’s key performance initiatives to ensure timely and effective and interactions with our R&D, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, and Product Supply organizations
• Ensuring continuous improvement in manufacturing through data driven analysis and deployment of Automation and Manufacturing Engineering resources
• Creating a safe working environment and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements
• Accelerating Lean manufacturing practices within the technical services operation, including running the TPM pillar within the Chobani Operating System
• Optimizing the organizational structure to meet objectives
• Provide senior level leadership to train and develop engineers, technicians, and others within direct and indirect functions
• Setting and maintaining quality measures, preventive maintenance schedules and performance standards
• Partner closely with the Senior VP for Operations on initiatives critical to the successful transformation of the New Berlin site
• Coordinating and implementing any long-term capital project budgets which fall within the scope of work, including the Wastewater Recovery and Recycle Facility (WRRF)
• Ensuring employee safety, environmental compliance, and product quality; meeting schedule commitments and cost objectives
• Representing Chobani and our New Berlin facility in partnership with state and local officials as well as dairy community leaders
• Follow Chobani’s safety procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices

Requirements

• Experience in dairy or food industry manufacturing with deep process knowledge. Experience with cultured dairy products is a plus
• 3-5 years director level experience leading the technical services organization – providing leadership in plant maintenance, automation, and utilities functions
• 10-15 years’ experience in plant manufacturing and maintenance
• BS/BA in industrial engineering, dairy management, food science, engineering, logistics, business administration, or related field
• Extensive knowledge of MRP and ERP Systems
• Working knowledge of/experience with HACCP, food safety and related compliance regulations
• Must have complete understanding of PLC and logic controls for high-speed operating equipment
• Highly effective leader who can create a shared vision, energize others, challenge the status quo, and motivate change
• Strong customer service approach with the ability to improve internal/external customer relationships
• Must possess the interpersonal skills needed to communicate the organizations mission and strategies as well as organizational performance expectations
• Analytical problem solver with the ability to drill to root cause and arrive at rational solutions
• Applied knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma preferred. Pull systems (internal and external), Kanban, process mapping, standards work etc.
• Skills in planning, developing, and maintaining manufacturing operations budgets
• Must have history of demonstrative, measurable positive change, and meeting ambitious objectives

About Us

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers – Chobani yogurt is Americas No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at 32 cafes, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world – putting humanity first in everything it does. The company’s philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.

For more information, please visit www.chobani.com and www.lacolombe.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Chobani is an equal opportunity employer. Chobani will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on any basis including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military and/or veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws.