Dairy Plant Operations Manager — Quality & Safety Leader

Associated Milk Producers Inc; Jim Falls (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401k

Short-term disability

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is seeking a quality and operations leader to oversee plant operations with a strong focus on food safety and QA programs. You will monitor production quality specifications, mentor supervisors, and drive continuous improvement within SQF Level 2 standards.

You will manage audits, enforce SOPs and GMPs, and balance budget constraints with cost-saving opportunities while ensuring profitability and regulatory compliance in a six-plant Midwest network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, manufacturing or similar areas preferred.
• Five years' experience in dairy or food production or equivalent.
• Three years of supervisory experience required.
• Experience with Oracle ERP or other ERP systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GMPs, OSHA and loss control programs is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Report safety, food safety and quality issues to the appropriate authority.
• Drive food safety and quality responsibilities across the plant.
• Monitor quality specs for milk, whey, and cheese production with customer expectations in mind.
• Maintain production records and charts accurately.
• Inspect, review, and follow up on all plant and department audits.
• Lead continuous improvement for the plant's SQF Level 2 program and back up SQF practitioner.
• Develop and enforce safety, GMP and food safety policies; report nonconformities.
• Understand equipment/process knowledge to reduce downtime and costs while meeting deadlines.
• Collaborate with cheese and whey departments to reduce under-grade product.
• Operate within budget; implement cost-saving measures to improve profitability.
• Make decisions with profitability in mind; adapt strategies as conditions change.
• Enforce SOPs for each piece of equipment and process.
• Direct overall plant operations, supervision, interviews, training, evaluating performance and recognition.
• Engage staff in planning, decision-making and continuous process improvement.
• Develop action plans, allocate resources, and plan for growth.
• Manage pressure well, respect others, and follow through on commitments.
• Lead safety policies and be on-call as needed, including nights/weekends.
• Adhere to Quality, Safety and GMP policies and procedures; address nonconformities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Safety leadership

Quality assurance

GMP knowledge

SQF knowledge

Audits & inspections

Supervisory leadership

Education

Bachelors in food science/manufacturing

Tools

Oracle ERP

Job description

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is seeking a quality and operations leader to oversee plant operations with a strong focus on food safety and QA programs. You will monitor production quality specifications, mentor supervisors, and drive continuous improvement within SQF Level 2 standards.

You will manage audits, enforce SOPs and GMPs, and balance budget constraints with cost-saving opportunities while ensuring profitability and regulatory compliance in a six-plant Midwest network.