Emerging Production Leader: Special Projects

Dairy Challenge; Joplin (MO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairy Challenge seeks an Associate Production Manager - Special Projects & Leadership Development to rotate through production, maintenance, quality, and processing disciplines, building leadership skills for high-volume dairy manufacturing.

You will collaborate with production teams and plant leadership to drive safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost improvements, while managing projects from concept to implementation and preparing for a Production Manager role within 12–24 months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Internship, co-op, military leadership, or supervisory experience.
• Experience in food, dairy, or beverage manufacturing environments.
• Certification and/or License – may be required during course of employment.

Responsibilities

• Complete operations development encompassing Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Processing disciplines, preparing for future leadership responsibilities through hands-on experience.
• Develop proficiency in plant operations, food safety systems, labor management, and performance leadership.
• Participate in leadership development programs and management training initiatives.
• Shadow and support Production Managers and Plant Leadership to gain operational leadership experience.
• Develop competency in daily management systems, KPI reviews, employee coaching, and performance management.
• Lead capital, operational, and continuous improvement projects from concept through implementation.
• Coordinate project activities with internal stakeholders, contractors, suppliers, and corporate resources.
• Develop project charters, timelines, budgets, risk assessments, and implementation plans.
• Track project performance and communicate progress to plant leadership.
• Assist with commercialization and startup support for new products, packaging formats, and manufacturing technologies.
• Provide support for bottle, gable top, ESL, aseptic, and packaging operations as assigned.
• Monitor operational performance and assist supervisors in achieving production goals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

KPI management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Power BI

Job description

Dairy Challenge seeks an Associate Production Manager - Special Projects & Leadership Development to rotate through production, maintenance, quality, and processing disciplines, building leadership skills for high-volume dairy manufacturing.

You will collaborate with production teams and plant leadership to drive safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost improvements, while managing projects from concept to implementation and preparing for a Production Manager role within 12–24 months.