DFA Rotational Program - Operations, Engineering, Quality (2027 Program)

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.; Kansas City, Northern (KS, KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dairy Farmers of America invites graduates to join the Rotational Operations Analyst program starting in 2027. Over about two years, you will rotate through manufacturing, engineering, quality and process technology to gain broad experience and exposure in dairy manufacturing.

Participants complete projects, learn cost analysis, data analytics, and regulatory considerations while shadowing senior leaders and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across multiple plants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field.
• Internship experience preferred.
• Certification and/or license – N/A

Responsibilities

• Visit a DFA farm to gain basic dairy knowledge.
• Rotate through manufacturing, engineering, quality and process technology.
• Participate in CI projects and cost reviews.
• Prepare and present project results.
• Shadow leaders and participate in interview/selection processes.

Skills

Leadership

Self-motivated

Project management

Cross-functional communication

Adaptable

MS Office

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field

Internship experience preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

DFA Rotational Program - Operations, Engineering, Quality (2027 Program)

#37620

Company

Dairy Farmers of America

Description

This position is part of the Experience program, a rotational program for graduates aspiring to a career in manufacturing. In this role, the Rotational Operations Analyst will rotate through various functions such as manufacturing, engineering, quality and process technology over approximately a two-year timeframe beginning in 2027. This program is designed to offer experience, education and exposure to prepare an individual for a future role in manufacturing.

Location: This program offers rotations across various manufacturing plant locations. Potential locations may include Missouri, Minnesota, New Mexico, Kansas, California, Colorado, or Pennsylvania. These are examples only and are not guaranteed. Rotation locations will be determined based on business needs.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Visit a DFA farm to gain basic dairy farming knowledge and experience
• Meet with cross-functional experts to further understand the business and the Cooperative
• Work on various plant shifts to gain insight into the manufacturing process, opportunities, and challenges
• Complete a manufacturing project using educational experience
• Participate in review of production costs, rework meeting, and/or analytics
• Participate in on ideation, package design, problem-solving, etc., meetings
• Utilize systems throughout rotation, including Power BI, Salesforce, PCM, genesis, trace gains, SharePoint, etc., to analyze data and produce metrics. Produce reports, provide analytics, and build capability around data analysis and critical thinking
• Participate in a customer audit in plant (understanding of quality, regulatory etc.)
• Prepare and send samples for customers. Understand how to maintain sample and raw material inventory
• Participate in a customer call, such as a prospecting call or complaint resolution
• Complete a continuous improvement (CI) project involving influence
• Run dryer; understand science and methodology to spray drying, blending, etc.
• Work on a new product project, commercialization and scale up Prepare and present report on project results and next steps
• Assist with new product scale-ups at manufacturing facilities and/or scale up at customer facility where product is used
• Attend industry workshop training, such as cheese-making, spray drying, dry blending etc.
• Complete OSHA, environmental, ECO lab, and IDFA training courses
• Shadow Plant Supervisor, Plant Manager, and Director of Operations
• Act in a supervisory role (once leadership training is complete)
  • Review disciplinary issues with operations leader
  • Deliver constructive feedback
  • Participate in the interview and selection process
  • Onboard new hires, including 30/60/90 day check ins
  • Coordinate staffing
• Research new ingredient process technologies
• Shadow the controls team and assist in conducting costing and data analysis
• Troubleshoot quality issues in collaboration with food safety & quality team
• Assist in the capital management process
• Understand and utilize engineering standards
• Work with manufacturing, maintenance and engineering leaders to improve plant reliability
• Sit in on sales and operations planning (S&OP) and procurement meetings to understand how to schedule product, get bids, and interact with vendors
• Rotations may be available at cheese, taste & flavor and dairy powders locations around the country
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required.Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Manufacturing, engineering, or related field required
• Internship experience preferred
• Certification and/or license – N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership abilities
• Self-starting and disciplined
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Creative outlook with strong communication skills
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products
• Ability to communicate with other departments cross-functionally
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

Pay Range

$65000 - $70000 / year

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

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