Division Manager

Associated Milk Producers Inc.; Portage (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) seeks a senior Plant Operations Leader to champion safety and continuous improvement across six Midwest manufacturing plants.

The role focuses on maximizing production efficiency, leading high-performing teams, and aligning daily operations with long-term divisional goals. Responsibilities include shaping a culture of accountability, driving cost-effective processes, and ensuring food quality and regulatory compliance while responding swiftly to customer

Responsibilities

• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all levels of the division.
• Inspire and develop high-performing teams through coaching, performance management, and inclusive leadership.
• Foster a collaborative environment that promotes employee engagement, morale, and retention.
• Empower frontline leaders to take initiative, solve problems, and drive results aligned with divisional goals.
• Direct all plant operations with a focus on maximizing production efficiency, throughput, and cost-effectiveness.
• Lead strategic initiatives to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve overall plant performance.
• Ensure daily execution aligns with long-term divisional goals and corporate strategy.
• Adapt quickly to competing demands, shifting priorities, and evolving business conditions.
• Oversee quality assurance programs to ensure consistent product excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Drive food safety initiatives and maintain rigorous standards for sanitation, traceability, and product integrity.
• Respond to customer feedback and complaints with urgency, transparency, and a commitment to resolution.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance productivity and reduce operational costs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate technologies, systems, and workflows for optimization.
• Lead projects with practical, results-driven planning; communicate changes effectively, build commitment, and overcome resistance with confidence and tact.
• Monitor KPIs and leverage data-driven insights to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Understands business implications of decisions while displaying an orientation to profitability.

Job description

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Description AMPI owns six Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese, processed cheese and butter is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 20019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled Cheesemakers.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership & Workforce Engagement Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all levels of the division.
• Inspire and develop high-performing teams through coaching, performance management, and inclusive leadership.
• Foster a collaborative environment that promotes employee engagement, morale, and retention.
• Empower frontline leaders to take initiative, solve problems, and drive results aligned with divisional goals.
• Operational Excellence & Business Management Direct all plant operations with a focus on maximizing production efficiency, throughput, and cost-effectiveness.
• Lead strategic initiatives to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve overall plant performance.
• Ensure daily execution aligns with long-term divisional goals and corporate strategy.
• Adapt quickly to competing demands, shifting priorities, and evolving business conditions.
• Food Quality, Safety & Compliance Oversee quality assurance programs to ensure consistent product excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Drive food safety initiatives and maintain rigorous standards for sanitation, traceability, and product integrity.
• Respond to customer feedback and complaints with urgency, transparency, and a commitment to resolution.
• Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement Identify and implement process improvements that enhance productivity and reduce operational costs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate technologies, systems, and workflows for optimization.
• Lead projects with practical, results-driven planning; communicate changes effectively, build commitment, and overcome resistance with confidence and tact.
• Monitor KPIs and leverage data-driven insights to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Strategic and Financial Leadership Understands business implications of decisions while displaying an orientation to profitability. Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition and aligns\...

Equal Opportunity Employer minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity. If you require reasonable accommodation to apply toward our positions, please reach out to 1-800-533-3580 or [e-mail] for assistance.