Plant Manager

Grande Cheese; Friendship (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite clinics

Free fitness center

Healthy snacks

Wellness reimbursement

Cheese purchasing program

Two-year mentorship program

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Grande Cheese is seeking a Plant Manager to lead our whey processing facility in Friendship, WI. You will drive strategic and day-to-day operations, leveraging lean principles, engineering insights, and a passion for food safety to optimize safety, quality, productivity, cost, and customer service.

You will guide cross-functional teams and partner with Finance, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D to deliver measurable results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, or related field.
• 8+ years of senior operations leadership experience in food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of lean principles and process optimization.
• Knowledge of CFR, FSMA, PMO, and Bioterrorism Act.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership & team-building abilities.
• Ability to work with people at all levels across functions.
• Strong decision-making and organizational skills.
• Intermediate computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and day-to-day operations of the whey facility in Friendship, WI.
• Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and cost control.
• Develop long-term operational strategies and capital plans.
• Mentor and develop site talent and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Ops leadership

Lean manufacturing

Regulatory knowledge

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Team building

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering / related field

Job description

Job Summary

Lead a high-performing manufacturing operation where engineering, innovation, and operational excellence come together to drive business results. As Plant Manager of the Friendship, WI location, you will be responsible for the strategic and day-to-day leadership of a complex whey processing facility, leveraging engineering principles, analytical problem-solving, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimize safety, quality, productivity, cost, and customer service performance. Reporting to the Director of Manufacturing, you will lead cross-functional teams, develop long-term operational strategies, and partner with Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, and Maintenance to implement process improvements and capitalize on growth opportunities.

This role is ideal for a technically-minded leader who enjoys translating data into action, solving complex operational challenges, and delivering measurable results. You will champion lean manufacturing, operational excellence, and process optimization initiatives while overseeing regulatory compliance, food safety programs, capital improvements, and talent development. With significant influence on facility performance and future direction, you’ll have the opportunity to drive innovation, lead transformational change, and make a lasting impact on both the business and the people who power it.

What you need to be considered for the role:

• 4 Year / Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Leadership, Industrial Tech, or other related field required.
• Eight (8) or more years related experience in high-level Operations Leadership/Management related positions, preferably in the food manufacturing industry, required.
• Knowledge and experience of lean principles and process optimization.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local food and water regulations, including CFR, FSMA, the PMO, and Bioterrorism Act.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership & team building skills
• Ability to work with people at all levels and across all functions
• Strong decision making, organizational, and reasoning skills
• Intermediate computer skills
• Vision & Passion
• Strong ability to delegate
• Business Acumen

Preferred:

• Cross-functional experience and training in other Operations functions such as Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Safety, etc. preferred.
• Certification in lean manufacturing, such as Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma preferred.

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses That Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit www.grande.com.

Did we convince you yet? If not check out our unique benefits

• Low-cost onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Associate cheese purchasing program.
• Two-year mentorship program.
• Paid parental leave

Why Friendship?

Located in Adams County, Friendship combines small-town charm with opportunities to enjoy Wisconsin’s natural beauty. Known for its welcoming community, strong local values, and proximity to lakes, parks, and outdoor recreation, Friendship offers an ideal setting for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Residents and visitors enjoy easy access to nearby state parks, local dining and entertainment, and community events that celebrate the area’s close-knit spirit. Friendship provides a unique opportunity to build a meaningful career while enjoying a supportive community atmosphere.

Friendship provides a unique opportunity to build a meaningful career while enjoying a supportive community atmosphere.