Processing Manager

Alamance Foods; Burlington (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A food manufacturing company in Burlington, NC is seeking a 3rd shift Processing Manager to oversee all processing operations in a 24/7 environment. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 5+ years of experience in dairy or food manufacturing. Responsibilities include managing operations to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Competitive salary and benefits provided.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in dairy or food manufacturing, including supervisory or management responsibility.
• Experience working in a 24/7 production environment.
• Strong knowledge of dairy processing systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all processing operations ensuring safe and efficient production.
• Lead daily processing operations including pasteurization and batching.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving skills

Knowledge of dairy processing systems

Team management

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Position

3rd shift Processing Manager

Department

Aerosol

Manager

Director of Aerosol

Job Type

Exempt, Salary

Location

Burlington, NC

Company Background

Alamance is recognized as a leading manufacturer of aerosol whipped cream, flavored drinks, freeze pops, and bottled water, offering beloved brands like Classic Cream, Fun Pops, Coffee Toppers, Whipt, and Groovy Glacier. We produce, pack, and ship private labels based on customer-specific needs. An innovative company with proven experience in creating exciting new products that redefine what is possible in the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

Position Opportunity

The Processing Manager oversees all processing operations in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant production of high-quality dairy products. This role provides leadership to processing supervisors and operators, drives continuous improvement, and ensures adherence to food safety, regulatory, and quality standards.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily processing operations including pasteurization, standardization, batching, separation, and CIP/SIP processes.
• Manage and support a team of processing supervisors and operators across all shifts in a 24/7 environment.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent, efficient, and safe production.

Food Safety & Quality

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements including FDA, USDA, PMO, HACCP, SQF, and GMPs.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to monitor product specifications, conduct root-cause investigations, and implement corrective actions.
• Champion a culture of quality and sanitation throughout processing operations.

Production Efficiency & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze processing KPIs—yield, throughput, downtime, labor efficiency—and develop action plans for improvement.
• Lead process optimization initiatives, including waste reduction, automation improvements, and capacity expansion.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to ensure equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, and prompt resolution of equipment issues.

People Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate processing personnel; support employee growth and cross-training.
• Ensure proper staffing levels across all shifts; manage scheduling in a 24/7 environment.
• Foster a positive, safety-focused, quality driven work culture with strong communication and accountability.

Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain accurate production, sanitation, and traceability records.
• Ensure adherence to safety, environmental, and regulatory policies.
• Support audits (internal, regulatory, and third-party) and implement audit recommendations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in dairy or food manufacturing, including supervisory or management responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of dairy processing systems (pasteurization, homogenizers, batching systems).
• Experience working in a 24/7 production environment.
• Proven leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Work Environment

• 24/7 production facility requiring occasional off-shift or weekend support.
• Exposure to cold, hot, and humid environments.
• Routine interaction with processing equipment, chemicals, and sanitation activities

Travel Requirements

• Must be able to travel to additional company sites as needed for meetings and business needs.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements

• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Use of hands, fingers
• Reaching with hands and arms
• Climb and balance
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Talk and hear
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
• Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
• Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area up, down, left, and right while eyes remain fixed on a point)
• Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)

Equal Employment Opportunity

Alamance Foods Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons because of age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, gender, ethnic or national origin, or veteran status. Alamance Foods Inc. prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability.

Employment Eligibility

Alamance Foods Inc. participates in the federal E-Verify program. All employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a Form I-9 and verification of authorization to work in the United States.