Sr. Project Operations Manager

job purpose:

TheSr. Project Operations Managerleadsall plant-side operational readiness,startup, and commissioning activities foran expansion, serving as the bridge between project execution and steady-state operation to ensure a safe,compliantand high-performing transition.

responsibilities:

• Leadplant-sideoperational readiness and startup fora major expansionby building and directing a crossfunctional team responsible for all activitiesrequiredto successfully commission and transition new lines tosteady stateplant ownership.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the project organization and plant leadership, ensuring plant operational needs, risks, and insights are fully represented in project planning, design decisions, and execution.

• Own change management and communication to the plant, clearly translating project decisions, design changes, and operational impacts to plant teams while intentionally managing plant involvement in project forums to avoid disruption and overload.Engage plant leaders in critical discussions as needed to inform decisions and ensure readiness.

• Oversight of hiring, training, and SOP developmentaligned with the project timelineand production ramp upto ensure a successful handoff to the plant team.

• Ensure asset, maintenance, and material readiness byestablishingreliable maintenance programs for all new equipment and systems, including, critical spare parts identification and inventory, preventive maintenancestrategiesandschedules.

• Coordinate and execute all plant infrastructure tie-ins, including utilities, access points, traffic patterns, and facility interfaces, ensuring activities areproperly planned, communicated, and executed with minimal impact to existing operations.

• Ensure quality, safety, and environmental readiness bycoordinating QA requirements including sanitary design reviews, validation activities, and QA equipment readiness.

• Ensuring all safety programs, environmental policies, permits, and regulatory considerations are incorporated into project planning and startupand applying existing plant safety and food safety standards to all new equipment and processes.

• Incorporate lessons learned and best practices from existingfairlifeoperations and prior expansions into design and execution, including participating in equipment FATs and benchmarking visits to otherfairlifeplants tovalidatedesign, readiness, and operational standards.

• Develop, align, and communicatestartupand rampupcurves that meet business, quality, and service requirements.Activelymanageearly lifeperformance.

• Drive and measure startup success using defined KPIs, includingEHS, product quality and regulatory compliance, employee engagement and morale throughout the change, production rampupperformance,andlong-termequipment reliability during the first 2-3 years of operation.

skills/qualifications required:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive manufacturing or plant leadership experience, including direct involvement in major capital projects, startups, or commissioning.

• Experience in dairy, brewing, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing; aseptic processing experiencestronglypreferred.

• Strong leadership capability witha track recordof building trust, influencing crossfunctional teams, and delivering results.

• Ability to lead through ambiguityDemonstrated ability toidentifyand mitigate food safety risks associated with temperaturesensitive raw materials such as milk.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze andreengineeroperations and processes, develop policies, and design and implement effective strategies and procedures.

• Strong communicationskills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.

• Experience working with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.

• Knowledge of budgeting, cost estimation, and fiscal management related to capital projects.

food safety requirements:

• Notify supervision of any repairs oradjustments that are requiredthat may affect product quality or food safety.

• Understand,observe, andcomply withthe handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.

• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.

• Ability toinitiateaction to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.

• Identifyand record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.

• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.

• In the event ofabsence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities asrequired.

howfairlifenourishes you:

Atfairlife, we believe in better - and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!

• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)

• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance

• Paid parental leave & adoptionassistance(up to $10,000)

• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support

• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match

• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support

• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability

• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)

• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)

• Learning & development programs to unlock your fullpotential

• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

fairlife'snour!shprogram is designed to meet you where you are - supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.

position location:Coopersville, MI

reports to:Plant Director, Coopersville

travel requirements:up to 25%

exempt/nonexempt: exempt