Assistant Plant Manager

Leprino; Allendale Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 134,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Life insurance

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Leprino is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager at our Allendale, MI facility to drive daily manufacturing operations, lead department managers, and partner across functions to meet production goals while upholding safety and quality standards.

The position requires 12+ years in food manufacturing leadership, 7+ years in multi-department leadership, and a willingness to relocate to other Leprino plants as part of career development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Dairy Technology, Business, Operations Management, or equivalent.
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within food manufacturing.
• 7+ years leading multiple production departments or plant functions through department managers.
• Prior experience in a Plant Production Manager, Operations Manager, Assistant Plant Manager, or Plant Manager role within food manufacturing.
• Experience leading other people managers across multiple operational departments.
• Experience supporting plant financial performance, labor planning, and operational improvement initiatives.
• A willingness to relocate to another Leprino manufacturing facility.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Plant Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations across production, sanitation, and plant support functions.
• Guide and develop department managers and supervisors while building leadership capability across the organization.
• Coordinate plant priorities with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Human Resources.
• Set the daily and weekly operating cadence, including production priorities, shift communication, escalation planning, and operational follow-up.
• Build production plans that balance customer demand, staffing, equipment availability, and inventory requirements.
• Review plant performance, including safety, quality, yields, labor, downtime, and service, then coordinate improvement plans across departments.
• Support capital improvements, operational initiatives, and process enhancements that strengthen plant performance.
• Partner with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, preventive maintenance planning, and shutdown execution.
• Promote food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance while supporting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to annual operating plans, labor planning, and departmental budgets.
• Build collaborative relationships across the site that encourage transparency, problem solving, and timely decision-making.
• Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team and provide operational leadership in the Plant Manager's absence.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Safety culture

People management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/ Food Science/ Dairy Technology/ Business/ Operations Management or equivalent

Tools

SAP ERP

Job description

Within our 300-person manufacturing facility in Allendale - Leprino is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager to help us scale dairy ingredient output while keeping safety, quality, and consistency tight. We take pride in our “world’s best” ambition, and we back it with investment, steady improvement, and a focus on hiring great people.

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $134,000 and $154,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 15%.

What You’ll Do:

• Partner with the Plant Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations across production, sanitation, and plant support functions.
• Guide and develop department managers and supervisors while building leadership capability across the organization.
• Coordinate plant priorities with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Human Resources.
• Set the daily and weekly operating cadence, including production priorities, shift communication, escalation planning, and operational follow-up.
• Build production plans that balance customer demand, staffing, equipment availability, and inventory requirements.
• Review plant performance, including safety, quality, yields, labor, downtime, and service, then coordinate improvement plans across departments.
• Support capital improvements, operational initiatives, and process enhancements that strengthen plant performance.
• Partner with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, preventive maintenance planning, and shutdown execution.
• Promote food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance while supporting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to annual operating plans, labor planning, and departmental budgets.
• Build collaborative relationships across the site that encourage transparency, problem solving, and timely decision-making.
• Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team and provide operational leadership in the Plant Manager's absence.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Dairy Technology, Business, Operations Management, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within food manufacturing.
• 7+ years leading multiple production departments or plant functions through department managers.
• Prior experience in a Plant Production Manager, Operations Manager, Assistant Plant Manager, or Plant Manager role within food manufacturing.
• Experience leading other people managers across multiple operational departments.
• Experience supporting plant financial performance, labor planning, and operational improvement initiatives.
• A willingness to relocate to another Leprino manufacturing facility, as this role is designed to prepare future Plant Managers across our manufacturing network.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• A master's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Dairy Technology, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience within dairy, cheese, or other high-volume food manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading operations in a multi-line, 24/7 manufacturing facility.
• Experience supporting capital projects, operational excellence initiatives, or plant expansions.
• Experience using SAP or similar ERP systems.

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.

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?