Dairy Processing Supervisor

Company Description:

As New York's leading public college for agriculture and technology, SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech develops students who wish to positively impact the future well-being of human society and sustainable practices. Our immersive approach to learning combines academic rigor with hands-on application, producing graduates who enter their careers with proven real-world capabilities.

Students thrive on our 900-acre campus, providing a dynamic rural setting with a working farm, modern laboratories, and natural ecosystems serving as our classrooms. As members of this close-knit community, students gain a sense of belonging and support for lifelong learning and professional growth through direct interaction with expert faculty and industry leaders.

An anchor institution in the Mohawk Valley region, the College promotes economic growth through its Institute for Rural Vitality and an extensive network of community, statewide, and national partners. We actively strengthen the industries that align with our academic programs and mission by providing modern business resources, training, and technical assistance while offering shared-use facilities that support regional entrepreneurs, creating new connections for sustainable development.

Drawing on a rich academic tradition that spans more than 100 years, our purpose remains constant: to educate and support undergraduate learners and researchers to be workforce-ready and affect the two most significant forces in today's world - agriculture and technology.

Job Description:

The College seeks a Dairy Processing Supervisor for its on-campus dairy processing center (DPC). The position will report to the Executive Director of the Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech. This is a 12 month, on campus, full-time position expected to start August 3, 2026. The position is responsible for producing dairy products from campus generated fluid milk, supervising the DPC staff, actively engaging in the delivery of academic labs and training held in the dairy processing center, meeting all legal product and facility certification requirements, customer satisfaction, vendor relationships, budget management, professional development, new dairy product development, and community engagement.

Normal work hours are Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:15 pm. However, work assignments may include be weekday, evening, or weekend requirements. The incumbent is directly involved in the delivery of trainings, labs, or classes involving dairy processing. Classes, trainings, and labs may be online or face-to-face on campus, depending on the College's need. Online classes may be synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid, or HYFLEX delivery format.

Creating and maintaining a "farm to fork" campus and dairy production environment through the production of dairy products for consumption by the campus is a priority. As such, a cooperative working relationship must be maintained with Cobleskill Auxiliary Services, faculty, the College farm staff, and entrepreneurs.

The position is located at SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech requiring a full-time on-campus presence

About the Department

SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech's Institute for Rural Vitality has a strong history of providing services to entrepreneurs through the Mohawk Valley Farm and Food Business Incubator (FFBI) its USDA funded Value-added Producer Accelerator Program. The funded entrepreneurial activities include technical support for microentrepreneurs and microenterprises in the development of marketable products and services utilizing the expertise and substantial infrastructure of the FFBI, SUNY Cobleskill, and our Partner Organizations. Participants access a virtual education platform, one-on-one consultation, matchmaking events and services, technical assistance and education. SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech's unique campus is home to a dairy processing center, a USDA certified meat and fish processing center, three certified kitchens, a brewing and distilling lab, and a food packaging facility to enhance its entrepreneurial offerings.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the everyday operations of the campus Dairy Processing Center (DPC).
• Produce dairy products from raw milk produced by the campus dairy farm in a cost-effective manner that ensures the DPC generates a net profit (other than personnel).
• Arrange and coordinate product distribution.
• Keeping accurate production and financial numbers. This includes maintaining Centerpoint and utilizing it as the main financial record keeping program.
• Work with the Institute for Rural Vitality staff to develop new DPC products to supply CAS with dairy products to facilitate SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech being a farm to table campus and to generate revenue for the campus.
• Provide training and instruction for dairy processing labs, IRV trainings and prospective IRV program participants.
• Know and operate the DPC following all HAACP regulations that apply.
• Create and follow all necessary SOPS in order to operate the DPC according to all State/Federal regulations.
• Provide tours to the public and prospective students while meeting the required production schedule.
• Operate the DPC following all NYS Ag and Markets regulations/inspections.
• Manage student workers and staff.
• Producing and supplying bagged milk products to meet CAS's consumption needs.
• Managing and operating the DPC with minimal staff.
• Determining a production schedule to supply CAS with dairy products that minimizes waste, maximizes efficiency of the DPC equipment and labor, and moves the campus toward a self-sufficient farm-to-table campus for dairy products.
• Development of DPC staff to ensure on-going DPC operations.
• Increase production quantities to lower the unit cost of dairy products.
• Continue to create new dairy products from the DPC that CAS needs to supply the campus food.
• There are occasional travel requirements associated with this position.
• After hours events are required with the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Background in food manufacturing, food preparation, and/or dairy processing
• Two to Three years of Dairy Processing plant experience
• Valid Milk Receiver license.
• Ability to complete NYS Ag & Markets Production Plant Supervisor certification within 30 days.
• Completion of HACCP, GMP, and SOP training.
• Completion of Charm certification at another facility; ability to become Charm certified at our facility within 30 days.
• Understand dairy production regulations and requirements.
• Familiarity with and knowledge of dairy processing equipment.
• Ability to maintain customer and vendor relationships.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with SUNY Cobleskill's and the Institute for Rural Vitality's mission, vision and programming.
• Basic ability with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook for email management.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the aforementioned minimum qualifications, it is preferred the candidate also have:

• A bachelor's degree in business, agricultural business management, food manufacturing, or a related program.
• Product development experience.
• Experience training others.
• A mechanical inclination and abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook.
• Ability to operate a fork lift.
• Familiarity with accounting software for billing and budgeting.

Additional Information:

• This is an SL-2 position, with a salary range of $51,261 to $55,000.
• This is a term, full-time calendar year position.
• Does require some evening and weekend work.
• This position offers full New York State benefits which are some of the most comprehensive in the country.
• SUNY Cobleskill is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community for our students and employees. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Any offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of the background check.
• This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
• All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply, if your skillset meets the minimum requirements as set forth.

SUNY Cobleskill is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, and ensuring equal educational and employment opportunity and access to services, programs and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or any other legally protected status. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Office at (518) 255-5514.

SUNY Cobleskill's Interim Title IX Coordinator is Nicole Field, who can be contacted via phone at 518-255-5514, email at [email protected] , or mailing address of SUNY Cobleskill, Knapp Hall Room 123, Cobleskill, NY 12043.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact [email protected] or 518-255-5423.

Application Instructions:

The application review process will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Priority is given to applications submitted by May 18.

A complete application consists of the following:

1. Letter of application, addressing qualifications, position responsibilities, and college values
2. Current CV or Resume
3. Names, emails and phone numbers of at least three professional references, preferably former supervisors

* To apply you must create an account and apply through this posting.