ESL Operations Manager

About the RoleA well-established manufacturing site with significant recent investment is seeking an experienced ESL Operations Manager to lead a newly created department focused on Extended Shelf Life (ESL) and aseptic processing. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for a hands-on operations professional with a food and beverage manufacturing background, ready to help scale a high-growth product line serving major retailers and foodservice clients across the eastern U.S.This role combines floor-level leadership with strategic planning and offers long-term growth potential within a stable, well-capitalized organization.Key ResponsibilitiesLead end-to-end operations for ESL and aseptic ***** raw product intake, UHT processing, sterile tank management, packaging, palletizing, and cold storage coordinationSupervise a growing team of 12-15, including processing and packaging operators across multiple shiftsPartner with cross-functional teams including Maintenance, Blending, Batching, HTST, Quality, and Distribution to ensure seamless daily operationsManage planning and scheduling to meet production targets and build inventory for shelf-stable distributionSupport a newly commissioned ESL production line and help establish best practices for efficiency, quality, and safetyFoster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvementQualifications5+ years of leadership experience in food and beverage manufacturing, preferably with ESL, UHT, or aseptic processingStrong understanding of process operations, sterile packaging systems, and automated palletizingProven ability to lead shift teams and collaborate across departmentsExcellent troubleshooting skills and a commitment to food safety and quality standardsBachelors degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations, or equivalent experience strongly preferred

Created: 2025-05-31