Dairy Plant Operations Leader

Open Gates Group; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Gates Group is looking for a hands-on Plant Operations Manager to oversee daily production at Farmers Creamery. This role integrates strong leadership with data-driven decision-making practices to ensure operational excellence and a safe working environment.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience in food manufacturing. Responsibilities include managing production schedules, developing KPIs, and maintaining safety standards.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in dairy, food manufacturing, or fluid processing environments.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and regulatory compliance (GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, FDA, USDA).
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop people, and drive operational results.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all daily plant operations, ensuring production schedules are executed efficiently.
• Develop, track, and analyze key production KPIs to drive performance improvements.
• Promote a positive environment reinforcing safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Data analysis

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Agriculture, Engineering, Operations, or related field

Job description

Open Gates Group is looking for a hands-on Plant Operations Manager to oversee daily production at Farmers Creamery. This role integrates strong leadership with data-driven decision-making practices to ensure operational excellence and a safe working environment.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of experience in food manufacturing. Responsibilities include managing production schedules, developing KPIs, and maintaining safety standards.