Process Improvement Manager

Daisy Brand; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No deductible medical

401(k) match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Daisy Brand seeks a Site Process Improvement Manager to partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Research, and Product Management to drive processing and sanitation improvements, reduce product variation, and boost plant efficiency.

You will lead CI projects, audit plants, guide product specifications, and develop data analyses, while coaching a team and supporting the business with quality solutions.

Qualifications

• BS from an accredited college/university preferred, or equivalent dairy industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of dairy processing, CIP systems and dairy industry standards.
• Experience with data analysis and statistical process control.

Responsibilities

• Lead Continuous Improvement activities, projects, and processes across plants.
• Audit manufacturing plants to ensure processing and sanitation standards are met.
• Develop data analyses to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Coach and develop direct reports with goals and reviews.

Skills

Dairy processing knowledge

Data analysis

Statistical process control

Continuous improvement

Effective communication

Collaboration across teams

Technical writing

Mathematics

Analytical thinking

Education

BS in dairy science

Tools

CIP systems

Process auditing

Job description

Position Summary

The Site Process Improvement Manager works side-by-side with other technical and operational roles including Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Research, and Product Management to drive change for processing and sanitation improvements to reduce product variation, losses, and improve system efficiencies. The focus of this role can be summed up in the words “better” and “consistency.” This role will also be responsible for working closely with the plants to ensure formula and process standards are met.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Continuous Improvement Activities, Projects, and Processes by:
  • Scheduling, coordinating, communicating, and verifying Continuous Improvement Activities
  • Steering Plant Performance toward current Product Specifications & Formula
  • Identifying and driving Improvements in current Processing and Sanitation standards
• Lead Plant Processing Continuous Improvement of Product Quality & Process Standardization by:
  • Auditing Manufacturing Plants to ensure Processing and Sanitation standards are met.
  • Participating in Product Grading and Monitoring Quality Trends
  • Evaluating Product Grading and Quality Trends against Current Targets
• Works with Processing Teams and Product Management to facilitate formula and parameter changes.
• Responsible for developing data analysis to highlight opportunities for improvement.
• Provides support to plants to solve critical or product quality issues as needed to serve the business.
• Process Improvement Manager provides guidance in setting product specifications for all products.
• Develop and coach direct reports including setting goals, tasks, feedback, reviews, and reporting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Requirements

Education and Experience

• BS from an accredited college/university is preferred, or equivalent experience in dairy industry.
• Strong knowledge of dairy processing, CIP systems and dairy industry standards.

Skills and Competencies

• Curiosity for how things work, and self-driven learning are required.
• In-depth understanding of dairy chemistry and microbiology is preferred.
• Understanding of dairy unit operations (e.g., pasteurization, homogenization, and filtration).
• Experience with data analysis and statistical process control.
• Mastery of technical writing and mathematics.
• Excellent verbal communication skills to work across groups and facilities.
• Working knowledge of spreadsheet optimization techniques using solvers will be helpful.
• Excellent organizational ability and multi-task capabilities.
• Ability to collaborate with and influence departments throughout the organization.
• Strong analytical aptitude.

Company Overview

Daisy Brand is the market leader in two billion-dollar categories – sour cream and cottage cheese. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, we’ve earned the trust of Americans through consistency and quality across five generations as a family-owned company. Our success has been guided by a simple belief: good food, much like good work, starts with integrity. That mindset continues to shape how we make our products, run our business, and support the people behind the brand.

At Daisy Brand, tradition and innovation go hand in hand. We invest thoughtfully in advancements that strengthen our products and operations, supporting responsible, long-term growth. In 2025, we broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa, further strengthening our supply chain alongside our established plants in Garland, Texas; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Wooster, Ohio. Looking ahead, our state-of-the‑art Innovation Center, opening in 2026, will bring together research, food science, culinary, and technology teams to shape the future of our products. Recent work from these teams includes the development of the squeeze pouch and new line of dips, reflecting an intentional approach to modernization while staying true to the quality our consumers expect.

At the heart of Daisy Brand is its people. The company is intentionally structured to be collaborative and accessible, with an entrepreneurial mindset encouraged at every level. We hire with the goal of building long-term careers and provide an environment where employees are trusted to think critically, take initiative, and continue learning. Growth here isn’t accidental; it’s actively supported and shared.

To support our employees and their families, Daisy Brand offers a people‑first benefits package that includes:

• A no deductible, $0premium option for employee only medical coverage
• Access to virtual healthcare and wellness programs
• A 401(k) program with company match, plus weekly safe harbor and annual profit‑sharing contributions
• Company paid short and long‑term disability coverage and 2x annual salary in life and AD&D insurance
• Four weeks of paid time off, plus 20 hours of floating holidays in your first full year of employment
• Annual rollover and payout options for any unused paid time off
• Paid time for volunteering and community involvement
• Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development opportunities
• Fitness and wellness incentives
• And more.

Daisy Brand is a nicotine‑free company.

Daisy Brand is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans and disabled encouraged to apply.