Cheese Processing Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

We are currently looking for a Cheese Processing Supervisor. Position will either be on 2nd or 3rd shift. Must have weekend and holiday availability.

Position Summary

We are seeking a dedicated Cheese Processing Supervisor to oversee daily operations within the Cheese Room, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality production. Working within established company policies, regulatory requirements, and the limits of assigned authority, this position provides leadership across Processing/Production, Maintenance coordination, and Quality Control activities.

This role is essential to driving product quality, production efficiency, employee development, and adherence to safety and sanitation standards. While the role will begin on day shift, the Cheese Processing Supervisor must be able to flex hours to support second shift, night shift, weekend operations, sanitation validation, training needs, and special cheese projects as required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Production & Operational Oversight

• Achieve departmental goals for production volume, product quality, safety, shrink reduction, and cost control.
• Coordinate daily production activities to meet business objectives and customer demand.
• Oversee the cottage cheese blending process and coordinate production flow with the Filling Room.
• Monitor Cheese Room cooks to ensure all procedures, temperatures, and processing parameters are followed.
• Lead and support Preventive Maintenance efforts for all cheese-processing equipment.
• Submit Work Orders for safety issues, quality concerns, equipment repairs, and process improvements.
• Ensure accurate, current SOPs for all job functions; maintain strong adherence to formulations and processing standards.

Regulatory & Quality Compliance

• Learn and apply the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) as it pertains to plant operations, including understanding both HTST and batch pasteurization systems.
• Obtain and maintain a Milk Receiver’s License.
• Actively lead and enforce Food Safety, GMPs, sanitation requirements, and plant rules during all shifts.
• Partner with QA to identify, escalate, and correct non-compliances; drive continuous improvement in product quality.
• Ensure all safety compliance requirements, safety meetings, and weekly safety metrics are completed and documented.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Provide clear leadership, direction, and coaching to employees to promote a positive working atmosphere and professional growth.
• Assign job duties based on production needs, employee qualifications, and safe operating practices.
• Monitor employee morale and address issues proactively to maintain a healthy department culture.
• Lead onboarding, job training, cross-training, safety training, and ongoing developmental coaching.
• Maintain employee records including attendance, tardiness, overtime, scheduling, and safety documentation.
• Conduct accident investigations and document follow-up actions.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies, employee relations standards, and disciplinary procedures.

Scheduling & Administration

• Prepare the weekly schedule and job assignments; must learn and work within the Teamsters Local 264 CBA.
• Plan weekend coverage and ensure adequate staffing for production, sanitation, and project work.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and qualification matrix for all employees.
• Coordinate with Purchasing for inventory monitoring, packaging material usage, and variance control.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead and participate in CI activities focused on reducing safety incidents, improving operational efficiencies, optimizing cheese yields, and lowering costs.
• Support data-driven decision making by analyzing process trends, downtime, and opportunities for improvement.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in dairy manufacturing (cultured dairy experience preferred).
• Demonstrated leadership ability with experience motivating and developing employees.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills across multiple process areas.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing facility.
• Proficiency in MS Windows, Word, and Excel.
• Must demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm, and a commitment to the organization’s mission.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team.

Work Schedule Expectations

This is a salaried supervisory role. While the position will initially be assigned to day shift (Monday–Friday), the supervisor must be able to adjust hours as needed to support operational demands, including night or second shift presence, weekend coverage, sanitation verification, cheese project work, equipment commissioning, and training employees across shifts.

Pay: $72K-$90K/Year*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.