Chief Operating Officer (COO)
About The Position
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides executive leadership and technical oversight for Byrne’s multi-site extended shelf life (ESL) and aseptic fluid dairy operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO bridges executive strategy and day-to-day operations, driving operational efficiencies, lean manufacturing practices, food safety compliance, and growth of advanced processing lines. The role calls for technical expertise in ESL, ultra-high temperature (UHT), and aseptic packaging technologies, including brick carton, PET, and gable-top packaging, and oversight of execution across cold-chain and ambient-stable channels. The COO leads engineering and project management, production, capital planning and automation, logistics, quality and regulatory compliance, and workforce development. The position also partners with the executive team to improve financial results through reduced downtime and shrink and increased product yield.
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 at an executive level explicitly handling ESL or aseptic UHT operations.
- Strong working knowledge of Tetra Pak, SIG Combibloc, or GEA processing systems.
- 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, process engineering, automation, material handling, and packaging.
- Oversee daily processing, formulation, and packaging operations for ESL and aseptic dairy products.
- Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across high-velocity production lines and minimize downtime during CIP/SIP cycles.
- Plan and execute capital expenditure budgets, including procurement and deployment of UHT pasteurizers, homogenizers, and robotic palletizing systems.
- Oversee cold-chain distribution for ESL products and ambient warehouse distribution for aseptic goods, ensuring customer orders are delivered on time and in full.
- Drive financial results with the executive team by reducing unplanned downtime, eliminating shrink, and promoting high-yield products.
- Ensure compliance with FDA Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance guidelines and aseptic processing regulatory filings.
- Partner with Quality Assurance to maintain 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 teams and partner with IT, Finance, HR, and Sales.
- Promote specialized technical training for operators.
Benefits
- Competitive bonus programs
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits available from day 1 of employment
- Supplemental benefits available from day 30 of employment
- 401(k) with company match available from day 90 of employment
- Tuition reimbursement and scholarship program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
