Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Byrne Branding • Lafayette, NY

8d

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides executive leadership and technical oversight for Byrne’s multi-site ESL and aseptic fluid dairy operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO drives standard operating efficiencies, implements lean manufacturing practices, maintains food safety compliance, and scales advanced processing lines. The role requires technical expertise in extended shelf life (ESL), ultra-high temperature (UHT), and aseptic packaging technologies, including brick carton, PET, and gable-top formats. The COO connects executive strategy with day-to-day operations to support execution across cold-chain and ambient-stable channels.

The position oversees engineering and project management, production, capital projects and automation, distribution, financial results, quality systems, regulatory compliance, waste mitigation, workforce development, and safety. Byrne operates ESL and UHT facilities, warehouses, and an ice cream center in Central New York.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Biology, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 10–15 years of progressive operations management experience in food or beverage processing.
• At least 5 years of executive-level experience explicitly handling ESL or aseptic UHT operations.
• Strong working knowledge of Tetra Pak, SIG Combi bloc, or GEA processing systems.
• Strong working knowledge of industrial refrigeration, including ammonia systems, PLC automation, and high-speed filling equipment.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or specialized technical master’s degree.
• Active SQF Practitioner credential.
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) credential.
• Advanced Lean Six Sigma Black Belt credential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering and project management team, overseeing capital project management and process engineering, automation, material handling, and packaging.
• Oversee daily processing, formulation, and packaging operations for ESL and aseptic dairy products.
• Drive Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and manage high-velocity production lines while minimizing downtime during CIP/SIP cycles.
• Plan and execute capital expenditure budgets, including procurement and deployment of UHT pasteurizers, homogenizers, and robotic palletizing systems.
• Oversee dual distribution channels, including the temperature-sensitive cold chain for ESL products and the ambient warehouse network for aseptic products.
• Ensure products are delivered to customers on time and in full.
• Drive financial results with the executive team by reducing unplanned downtime, eliminating shrink, and championing high-yield products.
• Ensure compliance with FDA Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) guidelines and aseptic processing regulatory filings.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to uphold HACCP plans, SQF Level 3 certifications, and micro-testing protocols for spore-formers.
• Monitor and reduce dairy shrink, product giveaway, and environmental load while maintaining BOD/COD wastewater treatment compliance.
• Provide direct leadership to operations and support, partnering with IT, Finance, HR, and Sales.
• Champion specialized technical training for operators.

Benefits

• Competitive bonus programs.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits available on the first day of employment.
• Supplemental benefits available on the 30th day of employment.
• 401(k) with a company match available on the 90th day of employment.
• Educational support through tuition reimbursement and a scholarship program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive