Organic Dairy Processing Manager
Carlson Old Fashioned Farms — St. Marys, KS
Job Type: Full-Time
Pay: $55,000–$65,000 a year, based on experience
Schedule: Primarily daytime, with flexibility during production, equipment startup, inspections, and peak periods
ABOUT THE ROLE
Carlson Old Fashioned Farms is building a certified-organic, grass-fed dairy operation around our A2A2 Guernsey herd — and we need an experienced, hands-on Organic Dairy Processing Manager to help bring it to life. We're constructing a brand-new milking parlor and dairy-processing plant on the farm, and you'll have the opportunity to help shape the equipment layout, sanitation procedures, staffing plans, and quality standards from the ground up.
As we grow toward milking about 100 cows a day with processing running 6–7 days a week, you'll build the systems — staffing, schedules, sanitation, equipment care, and inventory controls — that keep production clean, compliant, and running smoothly. This isn't a desk job: you'll be on the floor working the equipment, training the team, troubleshooting problems, and taking real ownership of the plant from startup through full operation.
ABOUT CARLSON OLD FASHIONED FARMS
We're an integrated, regenerative, certified-organic farm producing exceptionally nutritious food through responsible land stewardship, high animal-welfare standards, and traditional farming principles backed by modern systems. Our operation brings together grass-fed dairy, pasture-raised beef, laying hens, meat chickens, year-round garden and greenhouse production, and direct-to-client delivery — all working together to build a dependable farm-to-table relationship between the land and the families we serve.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Manage daily receiving and processing of milk — cooling, cream separation, heat exchange, bottling, labeling, and storage — while protecting the quality of our organic, grass-fed milk at every stage.
- Help design and commission the new milking parlor and processing plant: equipment layout, workflow, utilities, and sanitation zones, working directly with manufacturers, contractors, and engineers.
- Build production schedules and staffing plans that support 6–7 day-a-week processing as the herd grows to full capacity.
- Own food-safety and regulatory compliance: HACCP-consistent procedures, inspections, testing, traceability, and recordkeeping, working closely with dairy inspectors and MOSA organic certification.
- Protect organic and grass-fed product integrity — preventing commingling and contamination, and maintaining the documentation behind every product claim.
- Develop and enforce sanitation procedures across processing rooms, tanks, lines, and storage areas, and build a team culture where quality and cleanliness are non-negotiable.
- Recruit, train, and lead processing employees, coordinating closely with the Dairy Manager on milking schedules, volume, and staffing needs.
- Manage inventory, packaging, and distribution logistics, plus processing budgets and cost controls, reporting regularly to ownership on production, compliance, and startup progress.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING (Required)
- Experience in dairy processing, food manufacturing, or a closely related field
- Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, temperature control, and regulatory compliance
- Hands-on experience operating, cleaning, and troubleshooting food-processing equipment
- A strong commitment to organic agriculture and grass-fed dairy production
- Solid organizational, communication, and leadership skills
- Comfort managing multiple projects during a facility construction/startup
- Willingness to do hands-on production, cleaning, and maintenance work
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
Preferred: experience managing a Grade A dairy-processing facility or farmstead dairy operation; experience opening a new dairy or food-processing plant; background in bottling, cream separation, pasteurization, or cultured dairy products; HACCP/PCQI/ServSafe training; and mechanical aptitude for basic equipment repairs.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to stand/walk for extended periods; work in wet, refrigerated, hot, and physically demanding conditions; lift up to 50 lbs; and work occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends as production and startup needs require.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Salary: $55,000–$65,000/year, based on experience
- 4 weeks of paid time off annually (accrued)
- Health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield (employee-only premium covered by the farm)
- Planned SEP retirement contribution equal to 5% of eligible compensation
- Employee access to farm products
- Professional training and certification opportunities
- The rare opportunity to help build and lead a brand-new organic dairy-processing operation from the ground up
Ready to help build something from the ground up? Apply today to join Carlson Old Fashioned Farms as our Organic Dairy Processing Manager.
Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
