Sr. Manager of Technical Operations

At Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:   

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.   
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.   
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.

Sr. Manager of Technical Operations

The Sr. Manager leads a support team of technicians and engineers supporting new and existing aseptic manufacturing facilities from engineering handover through commercial production, with focus on thermal processing and batching. This role serves as the primary point of contact and Subject Matter Expert for Plant Directors and Maintenance Managers during start-ups, product launches, and troubleshooting activities. The Sr. Manager partners with Plant Directors to identify opportunities, coordinate projects, and drive completion across OEMs, Engineering, Operations, Quality Assurance, IT/systems, Training, Maintenance, Sanitation, Production Scheduling, Raw Material Management, Inventory Control, and Continuous Improvement. This role is also responsible for maintaining aseptic best practices, sharing key findings, supporting investigations such as system deviations, and identifying innovative technologies that improve aseptic operations. 

The role applies standard engineering methods to design, analyze, test, maintain, repair, and improve aseptic systems, products, components, and assemblies. It also develops new projects, maintains existing systems, and mentors aseptic engineers and plant personnel through targeted training programs. 

Essential Functions 

• Create and manage systems, specifications, procedures, troubleshooting guides, and visual aids for aseptic processing, ingredients, beverage sterilization, VTIS, UHT, Flex, and pasteurization systems. 

• Lead multiple complex projects across aseptic plants, including start-up support, transition from engineering to production, planned overhauls, calibrations, and emergency troubleshooting through the aseptic beverage field service program. 

• Serve as the primary onsite contact, functional leader, and Subject Matter Expert for Plant Directors and plant teams, partnering with HQ, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Process Engineering, OEMs, and other support teams to identify issues, coordinate action items, and drive execution. 

• Train and mentor engineers, Team Members, and plant personnel as the Subject Matter Expert for aseptic beverage production, technical standards, troubleshooting practices, and operational best practices. 

• Analyze sterilization diverts, operational trends, quality data, daily metrics, and business-system workflows to identify root causes, prioritize risks and opportunities, and recommend improvements to safety, quality, line performance, cost, and yield. 

• Conduct scheduled operational audits, assess effectiveness and efficiency, share findings and best practices across sites and functions, and partner with teams to close performance gaps. 

• Support a sustainable supply chain model that meets customer demand, optimizes bottle output, and minimizes yield loss in batching and fluid processing. 

• Travel approximately 50–60% to aseptic plants; occasional international travel may be required, and travel may temporarily increase during urgent business needs. 

Additional Functions  

• Work with external manufacturing partners to integrate new business and meet company and program goals. 

• Identify innovative technology to further improve the overall aseptic business. 

• This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without prior notice. 

Competencies 

• Self-motivated, with the ability to prioritize and manage workload efficiently to support key stakeholder needs. Expected to define a clear career development path and identify improvement areas needed for success. 

• Ability to negotiate, collaborate, and influence through servant leadership. 

• Ability to analyze data and identify, mitigate, and communicate risk. 

• Results-driven, with the ability to communicate the need for action. 

• Experience working in a food manufacturing environment. 

• Strong planning and project management skills. 

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Qualifications 

• Minimum Qualifications: 

• 6 years of experience with Tetra and GEA thermal processing equipment in a manufacturing environment, preferably food and beverage, and/or field engineering support operations. 

• 6 years of experience with aseptic and thermal process systems. 

• 6 years of experience managing people and/or projects. 

*Experience may include a combination of work experience and education. 

• Preferred Qualifications: 

• 10+ years of experience with Tetra and/or GEA thermal processing equipment in a manufacturing environment, preferably food and beverage, and/or field engineering support operations. 

• 10+ years of experience managing people and/or projects. 

*Experience may include a combination of work experience and education. 

Education 

• Minimum Required:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Operations, or another related discipline; equivalent work experience, including related field operations experience, may be considered. 

• Preferred: 

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Operations, or another related discipline; equivalent work experience, including related field operations experience, may be considered. 

Typical Compensation Range

Pay Rate Type: Salary

$145,698.80 - $211,263.27 / Yearly

Bonus Target: 15% Annual

Benefits

Our Total Rewards package is thoughtfully designed to support both you and your family:

Regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, while part-time, intern, and seasonal team members are offered a limited benefits package.

• Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time
• Paid parental and caregiver leaves
• Medical, including virtual care options
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Health Savings Account with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members
• Family Building Benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements
• Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness and an accident plan
• Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc. 
• Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan and scholarship opportunities
• And more!

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits

* *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.

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Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit résumé to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit résumé into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.