Utilities Operations Manager (Industrial Systems)

Within our Corporate Project Engineering team located in Denver – Leprino is seeking a Utilities Operations Manager to move our organization to an even larger levels of infrastructure reliability and energy efficiency! We take pride in our vision to be "world's best", it is why we work harder, invest more, and continually innovate.

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $122,000 and $140,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 12%.

What You’ll Do:

• Build, review, and improve industrial utility systems that keep Leprino’s plants running safely and efficiently.
• Conduct multi-site utility audits and document system capabilities, limits, and energy balances.
• Write clear scopes of work, support budgets and AFEs, and guide vendor selection.
• Coordinate capital utility projects from early concept through installation, startup, and commissioning.
• Partner closely with plant engineering, utilities operators, and corporate engineering teams across sites.
• Create practical dashboards that show utility reliability, uptime, and production impacts.
• Support plants during utility disruptions by coordinating safe recovery plans and follow-up improvements.
• Develop longer-term utility improvement plans that reduce repeat issues and support future growth.
• Craft and share technical bulletins and standard operating procedures for utility systems.
• Contribute to energy efficiency and conservation efforts tied to cost, reliability, and environmental goals.
• Support regulatory compliance at the project level, including OSHA, PSM, EPA, and related requirements.
• Mentor and guide early-career engineers through project work and shared problem solving!

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a closely related technical field.
• 8 years of technical experience in industrial manufacturing environments with direct exposure to utility systems such as steam, boilers, compressed air, ammonia refrigeration, power distribution, water, or energy systems.
• 2 years supporting or leading industrial utility operations, upgrades, or capital projects.
• Hands-on experience with capital utility projects in regulated manufacturing settings.
• Ability to travel 50–70% across Leprino facilities to support project work.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting utility projects across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Familiarity with PSM-covered systems such as ammonia or large-scale industrial refrigeration.
• OSHA 10-Hour certification and experience coordinating contractors during live plant work.

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual’s unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

Offering You In Return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino’s history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?

While we review LinkedIn Easy Apply submissions and may reach out for an initial conversation, they are considered an inquiry rather than an official application. To be formally considered for this position, please apply directly at careers.leprino.com