Whey Technical Lead

What you will do

The Whey Technical Lead is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the whey department at the Tillamook plant for efficient operations. Responsibilities include assisting in managing the department, including GMPs, SOP’s, safety, sanitation, and operation of equipment and troubleshooting and solving problems with processing equipment, and issue orders. This position provides work coverage for Plant Operators, Packaging/Warehouse, and Food Manufacturing Supervisors when needed for absences, training, or other job assignments.

• Supervise the production of whey plant production at Boardman from the receipt of milk through the production of cheese and whey while maximizing yields and reducing loss of whey and maintaining a cost-efficient operation.
• Assign and track production work orders.
• Communicate production goals to the crew with daily KPI in shift huddles.
• Review daily production data and maintain priority balance; organize and prepare efficiency summaries KPI.
• Ensures that proper techniques are used for sanitation of production equipment.
• Reports all exceptions to product or ingredient quality as appropriate based on the seriousness/urgency of the situation.
• Work with operators to troubleshoot and resolve equipment problems and other production issues.
• Implement plans to correct any problems that are identified, determine where and why the problem occurred, and oversee specific corrective action.
• Monitor Bill of Material (BOM) usage and track variances.
• Partner with Continuous Improvement and Engineering on root cause of production events.
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are known, followed and up to date.
• Champions department’s World Class Manufacturing (WCM) initiatives.
• Address production issues in a timely and consistent manner.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to enhance individual and team performance.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with maintenance, sanitation, and QA departments.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, OSDA, FDA, and other regulatory product safety requirements.
• Establish manufacturing quality control point testing and measures.
• Review the previous day’s production and laboratory reports of whey analysis.
• Work with the maintenance department to plan and schedule repairs and preventative maintenance.
• Rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems as needed.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, supervisors, and the general public.
• Communicate effectively.
• Act as a team player and be able to interact with staff at all levels of the company.
• Work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible in working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrate excellent time-management skills with the ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Lead by example with daily hands‑on approach. Assisting with operation of processing equipment, valve maintenance, membrane, and baghouse replacements.

• High school diploma or GED required. A Bachelor’s degree is a plus or a combination of experience and education.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience managing a manufacturing operation including powder drying with leadership experience.
• Weekend and off‑shift work is required. Duties may include repetitive motion of hands and lifting up to 45 pounds.

We offer outstanding benefits to our employees. For more information, please visit the careers page:

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion where all employees are heard, valued and feel a sense of belonging. We rely on different perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds and cultures to inform our work, to help us be better as a brand and as an employer and to fuel our success. We are seeking talent from a wide range of diversity, perspectives, and backgrounds to join our exceptional organization and help us build our future.

Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a Drug‑Free Workplace. EEO

TCCA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability status (including those related to pregnancy and childbirth), protected veteran status, membership/non‑membership in a labor organization, or any other characteristic protected by law.