Formulations Manager at Great Lakes Cheese in La Crosse, Wisconsin

Job Description:

Job Overview

The Formulations Manager is responsible for all process cheese formulations, costing functions for formulations, laboratory functions, ROI maintenance, ingredient sourcing and qualifying.

Job Responsibilities

• Direct the formulation department to ensure that quality formulation meets customer expectation working to meet sales opportunities and continued least cost formula opportunities while best utilizing plant capabilities and industry sources.
• Train all organization personnel to ensure competency to carry out functions affecting product formulation equipment functionality.
• Communicate to relevant personnel all information essential to effective implementation and maintenance of quality least cost formulation including the need to report any food safety concerns with the authority to react.
• Provide technical expertise & support to the plant, corporate management, and the QA/lab personnel.
• Maintain Formulation Standards:
  
  
  • Product specifications
  • Supplier information bulletins
  • Product target specifications vs. actual production samples
  • Oversee sample maintenance and direct testing procedures to assure proper testing to meet customer quality expectations.
  
  
• Maintain open communication lines with industry academia and other industry experts including ingredient suppliers to maintain current knowledge of industry trends and new ingredient opportunities.
• Manage functions associated with formulations laboratory:
  
  
  • Maintain ROI programs and communicate updates to lab and production personnel.
  • Specify and maintain laboratory equipment in conjunction with the QA manager.
  
  
• Manage product bacteriological testing in conjunction with QA manager.
• Develop validation protocols to ensure testing accuracy on a continuous basis in conjunction with the QA manager.
• Maintain costing systems (ROI/Tech Wizard) to provide cheese/ingredients costing information for finished product to management/sales.
• All GLC employees are expected to perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures.
• All GLC employees are expected to produce and promote our products and services in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the manager.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in dairy science/food science or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in plant operations/quality control/formulations.
• Knowledge of SQF, GMP & FCR (Federal Code of Regulations).
• Knowledge of Process Cheese and other food science concepts.
• Knowledge of process cheese production equipment.
• Excellent computer skills and familiarity with SAP.
• Must be legally authorized to work for a company in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's Degree.
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions based on functional expertise and experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate others.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with plant personnel, suppliers, customers, sales personnel and academia.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, time management, trouble shoot and problem solve.
• Ability to work at a pace necessary to keep up with production.

Working Conditions

• Repetitive work in a fast-paced production environment with average temperature of 50-60 degrees F.

• Hair nets, ear plugs/muffs, hardhats, and/or safety glasses may be required.

• Ability to frequently handle material from floor-to-waist, waist-to-shoulder and pushing/pulling/carrying.

• Ability to constantly stand/walk; bend/flex/extend neck; frequently grip/reach/lift/pull with L/R hands.

• Product weight: up to 50 lbs.

EEOC & Disclaimer

Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Nearest Major Market: La Crosse
Nearest Secondary Market: Winona