Quality Manager (ESL & Aseptic) - BCV

Quality Manager

Why Byrne

At Byrne, we foster a culture built on teamwork, excellence, and professionalism. Our greatest strength lies in the exceptional talent and dedication of our team members across every part of the organization. We value their contributions and ensure they’re recognized, rewarded, and compensated in ways that reflect their impact and expertise.

Pay and Benefits

• Salary Range – $88,000 - $116,500 per year
• Competitive bonus programs
• Medical, Dental, Vision benefits available day 1 of employment
• Supplemental benefits available on day 30 of employment
• Eligible for 401 (k) with a company match available on day 90 of employment
• Educational Support via tuition reimbursement and scholarship program

Work Shift and Location

3156 Byrne Hollow Crossing Cortland, NY 13045

Monday – Friday normal business hours. This may require evening, night and weekend availability based on business needs.

Job Overview

The Quality Manager plays a key role in executing assigned Quality tasks. This includes ensures customer, team member, and vendor satisfaction; supports Operations, Manufacturing Services, and Research and Development; and serves as a primary Quality contact for site leadership and regulatory agencies. The Byrne Cortlandville Quality Manager is responsible for continuous improvement, current Good Manufacturing Practices, regulatory and certification compliance, product conformance and release, cross-functional communication, and the hiring, training, coaching, and development of Quality team members in support of dairy-related product manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for ESL and Aseptic Quality Assurance team members, including goal setting, evaluations, team meetings, individual coaching, development conversations, and accountability for assigned work.
• Develop Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and coordinate onboarding, training, proficiency refreshers, and training on new processes for Quality team members.
• Ensure direct-report duties and responsibilities are covered during planned and unplanned absences, including acting as backup when necessary.
• Participate as a member of the Plant Leadership Team to support site initiatives, align operational objectives, and strengthen cross-functional coordination.
• Support Operations, Manufacturing Services, and Research and Development in assuring company quality standards are met.
• Communicate effectively between shifts and departments and maintain a professional attitude and appearance.
• Review and trend process, laboratory, and finished-product data to determine conformance to specifications and implement corrective and preventive actions as needed.
• Review products and assess eligibility for product release in accordance with company policy.
• Establish finished-product target weights, verification checks, and conformance to weights-and-measures and other regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a high level of proficiency with testing and laboratory equipment and serve as the site subject matter expert for applicable Quality procedures and policies.
• Conduct investigative research on products, materials, and procedures; investigate deviations; and implement corrective and preventive actions as appropriate.
• Review, trend, and implement corrective and preventive actions related to environmental monitoring and analytical laboratory results.
• Investigate, trend, and respond to consumer complaints specific to the site.
• Set up required documentation and sterile sampling for sample shipments and use proper shipping methods.
• Maintain compliance with SQF certification requirements, including finalizing and maintaining site procedures and policies.
• Support continuous improvement activities and apply 5S methodology in Quality work areas.
• Provide strategic Quality direction and maintain advanced quality systems supporting ESL manufacturing.
• Serve as the primary Quality contact for senior leadership at the manufacturing site for ESL Quality matters.
• Provide point-of-contact support for interactions with applicable regulatory agencies, including New York State Agriculture and Markets.
• Obtain and maintain applicable New York State laboratory licenses for Raw Milk Receiving, Gerber, Charm SL, Phosphates, and DMC testing.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for FDA and other regulatory agencies, and coordinate with the processing authority for aseptic process and procedural requirements.
• Assure aseptic processing and packaging requirements are established, followed, documented, verified, and trended, including time, temperature, pressure, extended runs, CIP, data recording, carton integrity, stress-room samples and testing, and retention samples.
• Build, maintain, train, and enforce the aseptic food safety plan and HACCP program for the site.
• Assure aseptic run parameters are established and followed in partnership with Operations and Manufacturing Services.
• Review and trend aseptic process data to determine product conformance and initiate corrective and preventive actions when needed.
• Conduct or oversee laboratory equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and validation testing.
• Demonstrate proficiency in gram staining and direct microbial counts and maintain an in-depth understanding of dairy microbiology.
• Complete Better Process Control School upon accepting the role if not already completed.

Min. Qualifications

• Associate degree (AS/AAS) required; bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, food science, food processing, dairy management, agricultural technology, or a related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of three years of dairy or related aseptic beverage experience required.
• Two to three years of experience managing laboratory operations and staff preferred.
• Two years of supervisory experience preferred.
• SQF or similar quality systems experience preferred.
• Better Process Control School completion preferred at hire and required upon accepting the role.

Byrne

Headquartered in LaFayette, Byrne is a Central New York-based dairy company with a legacy spanning over 90 years. Its operations include an extended shelf-life (ESL) and ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization plant in DeWitt, as well as an ESL manufacturing facility in Cortlandville. Byrne also maintains warehouse facilities in Syracuse and East Syracuse, along with a dedicated ice cream center in Syracuse. As a recognized industry leader, Byrne continues to drive innovation at the forefront of dairy processing and product development.