CONFIDENTIAL SEARCH: ESL PROCESSING MANAGER – DAIRY MANUFACTURING

Location: Greater Philadelphia, PA Area
Industry: Dairy / Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Employment Type: Full-time, Onsite
Compensation: Competitive Base + Bonus + Full Benefits

POSITION SUMMARY

A well-established dairy manufacturer in the Philadelphia region is conducting a confidential search for an experienced ESL Processing Manager. This role will oversee operations related to extended shelf life milk and dairy beverage processing, with a strong focus on product quality, plant performance, and regulatory compliance.
The ideal candidate will have direct experience with HTST, UHT, or ESL pasteurization systems, a deep understanding of fluid dairy processing, and a proven ability to lead production teams in a fast-paced, SQF-certified environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of dairy or beverage processing experience, with at least 2 years in an ESL, HTST, or UHT operation.
• Strong understanding of fluid milk or dairy-based beverage production and regulatory compliance (FDA, PMO).
• Supervisory or leadership experience in a food manufacturing plant.
• Familiarity with CIP/SIP systems, flow schematics, and thermal processing validation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Experience working in SQF-certified or similar food safety environments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with aseptic packaging lines or ESL bottled products.
• Pasteurizer or processing certifications (e.g., HACCP, SQF Practitioner).
• Knowledge of automation systems (e.g., PLCs, SCADA) used in fluid processing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead daily operations of the ESL processing department, ensuring product quality and production efficiency.
• Manage HTST/UHT equipment, CIP/SIP procedures, and aseptic processing protocols.
• Oversee batch formulation, temperature and flow controls, and compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Coordinate production schedules, sanitation cycles, and preventative maintenance in conjunction with QA and maintenance teams.
• Lead, train, and supervise ESL line operators and processing staff; enforce safety, GMP, and food safety practices.
• Monitor and improve KPIs related to yield, run efficiency, downtime, and loss.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality Assurance, Packaging, and Distribution teams on process improvement initiatives.