Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.
Job Summary:
The Environmental and Wastewater Manager will support the oversee the implementation of a sustainable environmental program for the facility. This role ensures compliance with environmental regulations, manages site audits, and drives continuous improvement in environmental performance. This role is also responsible for oversight of the Wastewater Pre-Treatment Plant including the WWPTP Operators, and all activities necessary to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Serve as the subject matter expert for environmental compliance, supporting dairy manufacturing plant.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations (e.g., EPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, etc).
- Oversee and support the environmental permitting process, including air, water, and waste permits.
- Lead or coordinate internal environmental audits to ensure compliance with corporate standards and regulatory requirements.
- Guide the site in preparing for and responding to external regulatory inspections and third-party audits.
- Analyze site-specific environmental performance data and recommend corrective actions or improvements.
- Standardize and implement environmental policies, procedures, and training across all locations.
- Manage and support timely submission of regulatory reports (TRI, Tier II, NPDES, DMRs, emissions inventories, etc.).
- Coordinate spill response and remediation activities, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
- Develop and track KPIs to measure environmental performance and compliance status across the organization.
- Promote best practices in waste reduction, water conservation, and energy efficiency in alignment with corporate sustainability goals.
- Provide environmental training and mentoring to site-level EHS professionals and plant teams.
- Stay current with changes in environmental legislation and communicate implications to leadership and site teams.
- Oversee the WWPTP Contract Operators and be a liaison between the manufacturing plant and WWPTP.
Qualifications:
Work within a union environment among a cross-disciplinary population. Must be able to work individually and in a team setting. Organize and manage time and competing priorities. Flexibility to train and meet with staff overnight or afternoon shifts. On-call 24/7/365 with duties shared among coworkers. The team includes technical and administrative managers, engineers, trade professionals, administrators, financial professionals, and laboratory scientists. The above requirements represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in environmental compliance, with at least 3 years in a corporate or multi-site support role.
- Strong understanding of dairy or food manufacturing operations preferred.
- Understanding of environmental regulations and good practices
- Ability to produce reports and develop/manage relevant policies
- Good knowledge of data analysis and risk assessment
- Excellent organizational and motivational skills
- Outstanding attention to detail and observation ability
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities
- Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the health, safety, and environmental field.
- Collaborative problem solver who understands the complexities of a manufacturing environment
- Expected to take a hands-on approach and build relationships with leaders and employees throughout the organization
Confidentiality:
This position will have exposure to product and project specifications, organizational growth strategies, and O-AT-KA strategic plans. A high degree of confidentiality is required.
Management Responsibility:
The Environmental and Wastewater Manager is an individual contributor who works under the general direction of the EHS Manager. Resources and coworkers for this position include the Senior Director of Safety & Compliance, plant EHS Manager, plant Environmental and Wastewater Manager, Training Coordinator, and contract environmental consulting firm.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing this job's essential functions.
The Environmental and Wastewater Manager will work cross-organizationally in all facets of the O-AT-KA Plant and office environments. Must be capable of operating standard office equipment and seeing, grasping hold, walking, climbing, bending, stretching, and lifting up to 40 lbs. Immersed in the production environment working near moving mechanical parts, corrosive chemicals, high-speed conveyors, and processing equipment where temperatures fluctuate, floors may be wet, and noise is a constant factor.
Pay:$70K-$120K a year*
*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.
Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.
