PLANT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Associated Milk Producers Inc; Jim Falls (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

401k

Short-term disability

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is seeking a quality and operations leader to oversee plant operations with a strong focus on food safety and QA programs. You will monitor production quality specifications, mentor supervisors, and drive continuous improvement within SQF Level 2 standards.

You will manage audits, enforce SOPs and GMPs, and balance budget constraints with cost-saving opportunities while ensuring profitability and regulatory compliance in a six-plant Midwest network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, manufacturing or similar areas preferred.
• Five years' experience in dairy or food production or equivalent.
• Three years of supervisory experience required.
• Experience with Oracle ERP or other ERP systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GMPs, OSHA and loss control programs is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Report safety, food safety and quality issues to the appropriate authority.
• Drive food safety and quality responsibilities across the plant.
• Monitor quality specs for milk, whey, and cheese production with customer expectations in mind.
• Maintain production records and charts accurately.
• Inspect, review, and follow up on all plant and department audits.
• Lead continuous improvement for the plant's SQF Level 2 program and back up SQF practitioner.
• Develop and enforce safety, GMP and food safety policies; report nonconformities.
• Understand equipment/process knowledge to reduce downtime and costs while meeting deadlines.
• Collaborate with cheese and whey departments to reduce under-grade product.
• Operate within budget; implement cost-saving measures to improve profitability.
• Make decisions with profitability in mind; adapt strategies as conditions change.
• Enforce SOPs for each piece of equipment and process.
• Direct overall plant operations, supervision, interviews, training, evaluating performance and recognition.
• Engage staff in planning, decision-making and continuous process improvement.
• Develop action plans, allocate resources, and plan for growth.
• Manage pressure well, respect others, and follow through on commitments.
• Lead safety policies and be on-call as needed, including nights/weekends.
• Adhere to Quality, Safety and GMP policies and procedures; address nonconformities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Safety leadership

Quality assurance

GMP knowledge

SQF knowledge

Audits & inspections

Supervisory leadership

Education

Bachelors in food science/manufacturing

Tools

Oracle ERP

Job description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

AMPI owns six Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese and processed cheese is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, 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

1. All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority.


2. This position has a heightened food safety and food quality responsibilities.


3. Monitor quality specifications for milk, whey, and cheese production with awareness of customer expectations.


4. Maintain accurate and complete production records and charts.


5. Play an active role to inspect, review, and follow up on all plant and department audits.


6. Drive continuous improvement for the plant's SQF Level 2 program while serving as backup SQF practitioner.


7. Leads and guides all quality, GMP, and food safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.


8. Must have a working knowledge of all equipment and processes and procedures to reduce downtime, reduce costs, and increase efficiency while meeting production deadlines.


9. Continually work with the cheese and whey department supervisors to reduce under-grade product.


10. Works within approved budget while developing and implementing cost saving measures which will contribute to overall profits and revenue to the organization.


11. Understands business implications of decisions while displaying an orientation to profitability.


12. Implement, and enforce SOPs for each piece of equipment and all processes.


13. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of plant operations. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.


14. Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement. Makes oneself available to staff, provides regular performance feedback, develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth.


15. Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals and adapts strategy to changing conditions.


16. Manages competing demands and changes approach or method to best fit the situation.


17. Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner by gathering and analyzing information skillfully. Works well in group problem solving situations and develops alternative solutions.


18. Creates a positive team with the ability to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.


19. Ability to manage projects by creating workable plans; communicates changes effectively and builds commitment and overcomes resistance.


20. Develops realistic action plans, by prioritizing and planning work activities. Plans for additional resources as needed.


21. Ability to react well under pressure. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position. Accepts responsibility for own actions and follows through on commitments.


22. Leads and guides all safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.


23. Be on call, reporting timely to the plant as needed, which may include any time outside of the normal scheduling including nights and weekends.


24. Adhere to all Quality and Food Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.


25. Adhere to all Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.


26. Adhere to all GMP policies and procedures. Reporting any nonconformity.


27. Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in food science, manufacturing or similar areas preferred.


• Five years' experience in dairy or food production, manufacturing, industrial process operations or equivalent combination of education and experience required.


• Working knowledge of budgets and financial statements preferred.


• Three years of supervisory experience required.


• Experience with Oracle ERP or other ERP systems is preferred.

• Knowledge of SQF, HACCP, GMP's, OSHA and loss control programs is highly desirable.


• Maintain a valid drivers' license and must be able to travel.

BENEFITS/REWARDS

AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Military service members, veterans, and qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Education

High School (required)
Bachelors of Management (preferred)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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