Water Quality Specialist - Dairy Manufacturing

JOB DESCRIPTION Position Summary The Water Specialist ensures all product contact water (city water and plant generated potable water) used in the facility meets regulatory FDA Grade 'A' Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) requirements and internal food safety and quality standards. This role oversees water treatment systems, monitors water quality, supports compliance with FDA/FSMA, and ensure all water used in manufacturing, sanitation, ingredient preparation and CIP systems is compliant with internal, customer, and regulatory expectations. Essential Functions Water Quality Monitoring & Control Conduct routine sampling/testing following PMO Chapter 7 and company requirements. Maintain and calibrate water analysis equipment (e.g. chlorine meters, turbidity meters…). Maintain accurate logs for raw, treated, and post-treatment water. Conduct trend analysis to identify areas with continuous improvement opportunity. Water System Management Monitor and maintain water treatment, filtration, RO, UV and/or chemical dosing systems. Manage water inventory through planning and predicting production of potable water and purchase of city water. Ensure proper functioning of backflow preventers, piping, storage tanks and distribution systems. Participate in maintenance planning and troubleshooting of water system components. Maintain sanitary design and hygienic standards for all water contact infrastructure, including: CIP rinse and final rinse water. Direct-contact water used in equipment, valves, and product pathways. Auxiliary systems (condensate of whey/evaporator water reuse, RO water, softened water). Ensure proper function and sanitation of water filtration, reverse osmosis/polishers, chemical treatment (chlorination, chlorine dioxide generation…), UV systems, and CIP integrated water routes. Partner with Maintenance to troubleshoot water heaters, boilers, supply lines, and backflow preventers. Compliance Ensure water quality meets PMO Chapter 7 requirements, FDA/FSMA Preventive Controls, and state dairy regulations. Maintain complete water system records for FDA/state inspections, IMS audits, and third-party audits. Support hazard analyses (HACCP/PC) with specific focus on water as an ingredient and indirect-contact risk factor. Lead water-related corrective action investigations and preventive action documentation. Documentation, Reporting & Continuous Improvement Maintain water sampling schedules, test results, calibration records, and system maintenance documentation. Update and manage SOPs and SSOPs for dairy water systems, CIP water use, and water testing protocols. Provide monthly reports to Quality/Food Safety leadership summarizing trends, deviations, and system performance. Identify opportunities to optimize water usage, reduce chemical consumption, and improve microbial control. Training & Cross-Functional Support Train CIP operators, production, and sanitation teams on proper water quality expectations and testing procedures. Support Engineering during new equipment installations or modifications to ensure water contact areas meet sanitary design. Serve as the dairy plant's subject matter expert during customer visits, SQF/BRC audits, and regulatory inspections. Competencies Page Break Problem Solving/Analysis Integrity Dependable Strong Communication Skills Teamwork Innovative Computer Skills Time Management/Initiative Attentive to detail Continuous Learning Page Break Supervisory Responsibility This position has no supervisory responsibilities but will provide guidance and direction to plant staff. Work Environment This job operates in an office, lab and plant environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. Exposed to extreme temperature variations. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time position, typically working Monday through Friday. This position may require some work on weekends and holidays. Travel Less than five percent travel expected for this position. Required Education, Experience & Certifications Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Environmental Science, or related field—or equivalent experience. 2+ years in dairy manufacturing, water treatment, or environmental monitoring. Understanding of CIP systems, dairy sanitation, and hygienic design principles. Familiarity with PMO Chapter 7, FSMA, and state dairy regulatory requirements. Experience with microbial testing, water analysis equipment, and trend evaluation. Preferred Education , Experience & Certifications Bilingual in English/Spanish. HACCP and/or Preventive Controls Qualified Individual certification. Experience with RO systems, evaporator condensate reuse (COW), and dairy utility systems. Knowledge of SSOP development, CIP troubleshooting, and environmental microbiology. Additional Eligibility Qualifications Minimum age requirement is 18. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of responsibilities, duties or tasks that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, duties and tasks may change at any time with or without notice.