About the role

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose:

The Sr. Project Manager, Automation has accountability for leading efforts in the planning and delivery of large, complex, or multi-location capital projects including, but not limited to: Operational Technology (OT) Infrastructures, Manufacturing automation and Engineering. The role will be responsible for leading and managing complex projects involving the integration of engineering systems, automation technologies, construction activities, and programming solutions. This is a challenging and dynamic role that requires strong leadership, technical proficiency, and exceptional project management skills.

responsibilities:

Project Planning: Develop project plans, timelines, and budgets; define scope, resources, and key milestones.
Equipment Selection & Procurement: Select and evaluate processing equipment based on capacity, efficiency, quality, and cost; coordinate vendors and manage procurement.
Process Design & Optimization: Design and improve processing systems; perform mass balances, address bottlenecks, enhance flow, and drive continuous improvement.
Project Coordination: Partner cross-functionally (safety, production, maintenance, QA) to execute projects, manage resources, and resolve issues.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to food safety and quality regulations; collaborate with regulatory bodies throughout the project lifecycle.
Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate documentation (design specs, manuals, signoffs, reports); track progress, costs, and provide stakeholder updates.
Training & Support: Train operations and maintenance teams on new equipment and processes; develop materials and support troubleshooting.
Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement improvements to reduce milk losses and enhance efficiency, productivity, and product quality.

skills/qualifications required:

Bachelor’s degree in controls engineering or related discipline required.
10+ years’ experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Aseptic/Dairy experience, including UHT’s, homogenizers, separators, filtration plants, mix proof valves, motors, pumps.
Experience with Automation Products hardware and software product suites (Ignition, ControlLogix, Logix 5000, FT View, FT Historian, and Canary Historian). 
Experience with other automation platforms such as Siemens, B&R, GE, Aveva/Wonderware, etc. 
Experience in automation system project delivery and major capital projects including schedule and cost management. 
Able to understand and utilize engineering drawings, operating manuals, and blueprints to conduct business
Ability to update P&ID’s, mechanical/electrical prints (CAD/SolidWorks preferred)
Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgements on sensitive, confidential issues
Ability to supervise and train staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments
Knowledge of computerized information systems used in quality assurance, maintenance, and ERP applications
Knowledge of USDA, State, Federal regulations for a dairy manufacturing facility a plus

how fairlife nourishes you:

At fairlife, 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 & adoption assistance (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
Skills & Tags
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Aplyr's read

fairlife is a dairy innovator focusing on ultra-filtered milk, attracting professionals interested in nutrition and sustainability within a challenging shift-based environment.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•fairlife emphasizes nutritional innovation, offering products with higher protein and lower sugar than conventional milk.
•The company is committed to sustainability, aiming to reduce environmental impact through responsible sourcing and production.
•fairlife's growth creates diverse roles, from technical engineering to safety management, supporting career advancement.

What to watch

•Many positions require night shifts and rotating weekends, which may impact work-life balance.
•There have been concerns about labor practices at supplier farms, potentially affecting company reputation.
•The niche focus on ultra-filtered milk may limit market reach compared to traditional dairy companies.

Why fairlife

•fairlife uses a proprietary ultra-filtration process to enhance milk's nutritional profile.
•The company is a joint venture with Coca-Cola, providing strong backing and distribution channels.
•fairlife's focus on sustainability includes initiatives like water conservation and renewable energy use in production.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?