Technical Services Manager

Bongards' Creameries Career•Humboldt, TN

23h

About The Position

The Technical Services Manager leads technical programs for processed cheese operations, product improvements, and development of new technical processes. The role manages existing cheese formulations and develops new formulas, product specifications, and least-cost formulation improvements. It also supports commercialization and scale-up, plant trials, production procedures, specialized quality testing, and coordination of Enzyme Modified Cheese production and inventory. The manager works with Supply Chain, the Perham team, Production, Quality, Quality Control, and other departments on raw material requirements and testing, regulatory matters, product concerns, customer complaints, and project goals. The role documents and communicates technical project results, maintains current technical knowledge, evaluates potential raw-material shelf-life extensions, and provides after-hours troubleshooting support for recipe and formulation issues as needed. The position follows applicable standard operating procedures and company policies, along with other duties as assigned.

Requirements

College degree and/or 3–5 years of experience in recipe formulations; preference for cheese experience.
Ability to learn basic computer skills as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to food and employee safety.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot issues and make timely decisions.
Clear, professional communication with team members, supervisors, and other departments.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities, schedules, and production demands.
Ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure or during emergencies.
Ability to understand and apply safety, quality, and regulatory standards, such as GMP, HACCP, and OSHA.

Responsibilities

Lead technical programs supporting processed cheese operations, product improvements, and development of new technical processes.
Collaborate with Supply Chain and the Perham team on barrel cheese requirements, raw material specifications, receiving criteria, supplier approvals, and raw material testing.
Manage existing cheese formulations and develop new formulas, initial product specifications, and ongoing least-cost formulation improvements.
Communicate applicable regulatory requirements related to formulations, ingredients, and product specifications to appropriate departments.
Plan and coordinate plant trials, including raw material inventory needs, product demonstrations, and sensory evaluations.
Lead technical aspects of commercialization and scale-up trials, including product sampling, testing criteria, and disposition recommendations.
Provide after-hours technical troubleshooting support for recipe and formulation issues as needed.
Coordinate specialized quality assurance testing procedures and collaborate with Quality Control on product concerns and customer complaints.
Coordinate production and inventory management activities for Enzyme Modified Cheese (EMC).
Provide research and development support to improve or establish processed cheese production procedures.
Track technical projects, document results, communicate findings, and collaborate with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and other teams to achieve project goals.
Maintain current technical knowledge through continuing education and relevant industry developments.
Consider, research, and evaluate shelf life extensions for raw materials.
Follow all job-related standard operating procedures and company policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.