Plant Manager

Dairy Farmers of America; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Welfare benefits begin 1st

401(k) with company contribution

Competitive pay

Paid vacation and holidays

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is seeking a Plant Manager to lead operations across multiple plants, ensuring efficient production within cost parameters while maintaining safety and quality standards.

The role requires directing managers and staff, monitoring KPIs, and driving Continuous Improvement initiatives in a manufacturing setting. Strong budgeting, leadership, and regulatory knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Undergraduate degree in related field preferred.
• 8+ years in manufacturing, 2+ years in management.

Responsibilities

• Direct plant operations across administration, production, packaging, quality, maintenance, warehousing and safety.
• Set production priorities to maximize efficiency and adherence to budgets and safety standards.
• Review reports to identify root causes and ensure compliance with product specs and regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Continuous improvement

Regulatory compliance

Quality management

Team management

Communication

English proficiency

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Undergraduate degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

Job description

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers. Our mark matters and it represents the wholesomeness of dairy that we share with our communities and loved ones. DFA manufactures a variety of dairy products, including cheese, butter, fluid milk, ice cream, dairy ingredients and more, under well-known and established regional brands. Our fingerprints touch thousands of brands across the marketplace, and we’re passionate about delivering the simple pleasures of dairy to people everywhere, straight from our family farm-owners. We are proud to provide families with fresh delicious dairy products.

By joining DFA, you can help us continue to make a difference that matters. We care deeply about the well-being of our neighbors and friends, and we celebrate the diversity of our company and our world. It takes an incredible team to deliver the goodness of dairy and enrich our communities – come join us!

GENERAL PURPOSE

Direct and coordinate overall plant operations and priorities, and through managers, supervisors, and staff, ensure product is produced efficiently and within cost parameters. Provide work direction to management and employees within the guidelines of standard work rules, union contract provisions (if applicable), and employment policies. Is held accountable for achieving the plant’s key performance indicators. Support the Continuous Improvement (CI) initiative to improve productivity, quality, efficiency of operations, and the facility’s culture. Manage the overall operating budget including capital and expense projects. Direct personnel activities of department, such as recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, and salary adjustments using independent judgment within the framework of established human resources policies and practices.

This plant manager job is a single incumbent role responsible for multiple plants or a large and/or complex plant that may also have an assistant plant manager(s) within the plant.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage plant operations in all areas of responsibility including administration, production, processing, packaging, quality, maintenance, warehousing, shipping, purchasing, safety, and environmental
• Establish production priorities to ensure product is produced efficiently and within cost parameters while maintaining safety, quality and sanitation standards; obtain optimum production and utilization of workforce, machines, and equipment
• Review and analyze production, quality control, maintenance, and operational reports to ensure compliance and determine causes of non-conformity with product specifications, customer requirements, FDA/government regulations, etc. Report any non-compliance immediately per established protocol
• Analyze plant operations to ensure that the facility maintains a leadership position in the industry and that it takes advantage of new processes and technologies that become available
• Interact with customers to meet their expectations on a variety of goals including operational, customer service, financial, and quality
• Develop, monitor, and drive plant key performance indicators (KPI’s) related to safety, quality, productivity and finances. Strive for continuous improvement in KPI results. Promote continuous improvement culture and activities
• Understand plant P&A to drive plant performance; participate in the development of annual operating, capital and expense budgets; provide reliable and accurate information to finance to meet end-of-month closing schedules
• Manage or oversee all corporate, customer, and government audits to ensure compliance
• Conduct meetings with management and staff to ensure all operational issues are being communicated and addressed expediently with a common understanding of goals
• Communicate company goals and assist in establishing objectives that align with plant and company goals; communicate plant direction, focus and goals
• Provide appropriate direction, mentoring, training, and development planning for managers. Identify and retain highly effective personnel through proper selection, training and task assignment. Actively work with direct reports to cultivate capabilities and utilize strengths to support career development and succession planning efforts
• Maintain safe working conditions for employees and compliance with all company, state and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues
• Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all company regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements
• 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 as required

BENEFITS:

• Health and Welfare benefits begin 1st of the month after start date
• 401(k) with company contribution – 100% vested at day one of eligibility
• Competitive pay
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Career growth opportunities – we promote from within!
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• Service recognition and employee rewards
• Employee referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Work for dairy farm families

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Undergraduate degree in related curriculum preferred
• 8 or more years’ experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food and/or beverage manufacturing
• 2 or more years’ management experience
• Proven track record of improved results in the areas of quality, safety, service and cost
• Certification and/or License – may be required during course of employment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing process flow and importance to process
• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement models
• Thorough understanding of regulatory laws and responsibilities as it relates to facility standards
• Proficient understanding of budgeting and cost control
• Skill in leadership and coaching; strong knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Skill in critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculations, and statistical evaluations
• Able to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamwork
• Able to interact positively and work effectively with others (interpersonal skills)
• Able to think and use independent judgment in planning and organizing multiple tasks and information
• Able to demonstrate strong initiative
• Able to take appropriate steps to find solutions to problems
• Able to present options and ideas to current processes or procedures
• Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
• Able to communicate with various levels of personnel to ensure customers’ needs and requirements are met
• Able to interpret and apply company policies
• Able to adapt and manage to change effectively
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans