Senior Whey Production & Process Lead

Dale Farm; Cookstown; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dale Farm is seeking a senior manager to lead a whey processing facility, directing upstream and downstream operations. You will drive data-led decisions, improve output, quality and efficiency, and partner with engineering and customers to meet performance targets.

The role demands a proven track record in dairy processing, strong leadership, and a commitment to food safety and continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment.

Qualifications

• Third-level qualification in applied science or food related subject.
• Minimum five years' management experience in food processing.
• Experience in dairy, whey or nutritional ingredients manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead multi-skilled teams in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong technical and analytical skills for continuous processing.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience with filtration technology and complex processing plants.
• Track record of improving quality, cost, output and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-skilled team to operate and maintain the whey processing plant safely and efficiently.
• Manage upstream and downstream processing to improve output, cost and quality.
• Use strong technical and analytical skills to support high-performing continuous operations.
• Use process trends to link inputs with outputs and support data-led decisions.
• Make decisions that balance quality, cost and customer needs.
• Identify root causes of quality issues and lead timely corrective action.
• Identify and implement ways to improve output, yield and plant efficiency.
• Identify bottlenecks and work with engineering to remove them.
• Work closely with external customers to understand and meet expectations.
• Communicate operational needs across the business to improve performance.
• Maintain best-in-class standards for a global customer base.
• Monitor and meet daily targets for production, quality, efficiency and compliance.
• Lead investment and improvement projects to strengthen manufacturing performance.
• Set high standards for leadership, communication, team development and accountability.
• Meet all food safety, quality, health and safety, and operational standards.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Process optimization

Quality assurance

Data analysis

Communication

Dairy processing

Project management

Problem solving

Education

Applied science/food related degree

Job description

Dale Farm is seeking a senior manager to lead a whey processing facility, directing upstream and downstream operations. You will drive data-led decisions, improve output, quality and efficiency, and partner with engineering and customers to meet performance targets.

The role demands a proven track record in dairy processing, strong leadership, and a commitment to food safety and continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment.