Plant Quality Manager II

Within our manufacturing facility in Greeley, CO – Leprino is seeking a Plant Quality Manager II (Senior Manager-level) to move our organization to even larger levels of cheese and dairy ingredient growth! We take pride in our vision to be "world's best", it is why we work harder, invest more, and continually innovate.

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $115,000 and $140,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 15%.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead all plant-based Quality Control (internally referred in Leprino as Quality Execution) functions in one of the largest and most advanced cheese & dairy ingredient facilities in the world (processing over 8 million pounds of milk daily).
• Own the plant’s food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance systems, including HACCP, SQF, Kosher/Halal, environmental monitoring, and microbiological laboratory oversight.
• Serve as the senior quality voice in cross-functional leadership at Greeley, building strong ties with Production, Engineering, and Global Quality to ensure consistent standards and rapid issue resolution.
• Direct audit readiness and execution (regulatory, corporate, and customer) and drive CAPA programs for root cause analysis and preventive action.
• Oversee sanitation programs, pest control, recall preparedness, and traceability systems for a facility that produces mozzarella, whey, and high-value dairy proteins.
• Develop, mentor, and inspire a quality team — including supervisors, specialists, and lab staff — through targeted training, coaching, and recognition programs.
• Manage the Quality department budget and performance metrics, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency without compromising compliance or product integrity.
• Promote and model a plant-wide food safety culture, embedding continuous improvement into daily operations.

YOU HAVE AT LEAST (REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS):

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of progressive quality leadership in large-scale, regulated food manufacturing (dairy, beverage, pharma preferred).
• 5+ years directly managing people leaders (supervisors or above) in a plant quality environment.
• Expertise in HACCP, SQF, FSMA, food safety systems, microbiology labs, sanitation programs, and statistical process control.
• Proven success leading audits (regulatory and customer) and managing CAPA systems.
• Comfortable working in a 24/7 manufacturing environment and engaging on the production floor with employees at all levels.

WE HOPE YOU ALSO HAVE (PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS):

• Direct dairy or cheese manufacturing experience.
• Experience with multi-product facilities that produce both commodity and high-value ingredient streams.
• Background in advanced utilities or sustainability systems (CHP, wastewater reuse, biogas/anaerobic digesters) that impact food safety and quality.
• Strong track record of building cross-functional partnerships with Production, Engineering, and Corporate QA/QE.
• Advanced degree (MS, MBA) or professional certification in Quality, Food Safety, or Regulatory Affairs.

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual’s unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

OFFERING YOU IN RETURN:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

OUR STORY:

Leprino’s history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?