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Position Title:
Dairy Pilot Plant Project Coor
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Project Coordinator
Job Duties:
POSITION SUMMARY:
Plans, analyzes, manages, coordinates, and tracks projects and quality improvement efforts for processes, procedures, and systems. Provides management consulting to improve organizational results.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Coordination
- Develops, schedules, coordinates, and prioritizes project work plans in accordance with specifications and resource limitations
- Monitors progress toward project goals; adjusts schedules, priorities, and resources to ensure successful completion.
- Develops, enhances, and maintains operational standards, systems, and best practices to support project, retail, and production teams.
- Analyzes data and trends to compile progress and performance reports; provides appropriate conclusions and actionable recommendations.
- Establishes, monitors, coordinates, and controls project budgets versus actual expenditures and budget reporting
- Serves as the initial point of contact for projects; represents project interests through active participation in meetings, committees, and stakeholder engagements.
- Collaborate with the Plant Manager to schedule dairy plant production aligned with retail sales, short course needs, and research or pilot trials.
- Coordinates with faculty and external clients to align plant operations with research objectives and client trial requirements.
- Assists with the execution of plant trials as needed, working under the direction of the Plant Manager.
- Organizes and oversees sensory panels and taste-testing sessions for Falcon Creamery products and client projects; collects and analyzes participant feedback for quality improvement.
Retail Sales
- Determines operating hours, assesses staffing needs, and supervises student workers to ensure efficient operations.
- Manage student employee recruitment, interviews, onboarding, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) orientation.
- Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training checklists to ensure Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance.
- Maintain inventory records and coordinate product ordering with the Plant Manager.
- Oversee the retail food safety plan, ensuring regulatory compliance and timely updates.
- Serve as primary contact for customers, vendors, and stakeholders, facilitating clear communication.
- Identify and develop retail sales opportunities, including specialty products and seasonal promotions.
- Expand online sales with options for pick-up, delivery, and shipping.
- Support wholesale and large-scale retail client engagement, managing orders and fulfillment.
Short Course
- Serve as the primary liaison for short course students, presenters, and affiliated stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and support.
- Coordinate course agendas and presentation materials with presenters; prepare participant binders and other instructional resources.
- Manage vendor relationships to fulfill course-related requirements, including catering, lodging, and off-campus event venues.
- Collaborate with the Plant Manager to review and update instructional content, ensuring accuracy and relevance.
- Deliver instruction of short course material to enhance participant learning.
- Support the identification of new course topics and contribute to the development of syllabi and comprehensive course content.
- Partner with the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) to design and implement a Dairy Processing Certificate Program.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Analyzes data and trends, compiles progress reports, and provides appropriate recommendations or conclusions
- Develops, enhances, and maintains operational standards and systems to support project teams
- Serves as the initial point of contact for the project(s), serves on committees, and attends meetings representing the interests of the project(s)
- Develops, schedules, coordinates, and prioritizes project work plans in accordance with specifications and resource limitations
- Establishes, monitors, coordinates, and controls project budgets versus actual expenditures and budget reporting
Department:
Animal and Food Science - Dairy Plant
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Qualifications Required:
Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science or closely related discipline.
Demonstrated expertise in leading successful projects.
Valid Driver's License.
Knowledge of and experience in computer software.
Ability to accurately record information and develop reports.
Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to ensure compliance with food safety rules and regulations.
Effective problem solving, analytic and organizational skills.
Ability to communicate and interact constructively with supervisor, faculty, fellow staff members, students, and the public.
Knowledge of the proper and safe operation of processing equipment.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in work-related decision making.
Ability to perform routine maintenance of sanitation and food processing equipment, including the proper and safe use of tools used in equipment repair and maintenance.
Demonstrated knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions and ability to observe general workplace safety practices.
Qualifications Preferred:
Master of Science in Dairy Science or closely related discipline
Experience in an academic setting
Ability to professionally assist faculty in research activities
Commercial Driver's License
HACCP and WI Pasteurizer Certified
State of WI Cheesemaker License
How to Apply:
Applicants are required to apply online at Career Opportunities. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide:
Inquiries should be addressed to:
Sylvia Kehoe
Search Chair
sylvia.kehoe@uwrf.edusylvia.kehoe@uwrf.edu
Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before June 30, 2026.
Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 7.20%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguidefasl.pdf
UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
Title IX Notice
As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uwrf.edu; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix.
Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy.
Reasonable Accommodations
UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact hr@uwrf.edu or 715-425-3518.
Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression
The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression.
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
