Process Leader - AM Shift

Grande Cheese Company; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Night shift premium

Weekend shift premium

Job summary

Grande Cheese Company is seeking a Production Leader to oversee cheese/whey processing, packaging and distribution within a High Performance Work Team structure. The role emphasizes leading production, improving processes, and maintaining safety and quality standards across shifts.

Requirements include a High School diploma or GED with prefered Associate Degree in Operations Management, plus dairy manufacturing experience (3+ years).

Qualifications

• Experience in dairy manufacturing is required, typically a minimum of three (3) or more years is needed for obtaining the required skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate thorough understanding of required processes and have ability to independently anticipate and make decisions.
• Leadership, training, and mentoring skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Answer process/product questions to ensure understanding and cost efficiency while maintaining quality.
• Coordinate daily schedule and monitor production, providing feedback to Operations Management.
• Lead area meetings, review safety, productivity and quality; solicit new ideas.

Skills

Leadership

Training/Mentoring

Communication

Math/Reading/Writing

Education

High School or GED

Associate Degree (Operations Management)

Job description

Pay Starting at $30.25 and up, depending on experience.

$3 Night shift premium (6pm – 6am) and $2.25 Weekend shift premium (Saturday and Sunday shifts).

Grande Cheese Company is a family owned enterprise built on a tradition, quality and outstanding performance. We are dedicated to our cultural pride, professional excellence and to the dignity and respect of our Associates.

Overview

Grande operates in a High Performance Work Team (HPWT) structure. A HPWT is an Associate inspired and led journey of continuous growth and improvement to foster Grande Mission and Culture. We strive to empower Associates to develop their knowledge and skills through our Skill Block model. In this model, Associates are assessed and placed into a “skill block” that identifies and aligns with their abilities and knowledge within a specific job area. Along with possessing and maintaining knowledge of those skills, the following describes the overall duties, responsibilities and expectations, encompassing all skill levels, of this position. Not all duties may be required to be performed until the necessary skills are attained.

Process Leaders include the positions of Cheesemakers, Whey Process Specialists, Conversion Specialists, Team Leaders, and Mixer Specialists. Individuals in these roles provide leadership, direction, training, and mentoring to Production Associates. They must oversee, delegate, and be able to perform all processes involved in cheese/whey manufacturing, processing and/or distribution ensuring product is produced and delivered according to company specifications, quality and safety objectives.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

a. Answer process/product related questions to ensure Associates understand and can complete procedures in the most cost efficient manner while producing high quality product.

b. Coordinate and communicate daily schedule, and monitor production and performance throughout the day and provide feedback and recommendations to Operations Management related to procedures, performance, quality, safety, scheduling, labor distribution, cost savings initiatives, and other functional information.

c. Facilitate and lead area meetings to keep Associates informed; establish priorities; review safety, productivity and quality; and to solicit new ideas.

d. Train and mentor new and existing Associates and provide guidance to facilitate learning, enhance skills & knowledge, and improve performance. Address Associate questions, concerns, or problems.

e. Participate in the interview process for new hires.

2. Lead Production, Processing & Distribution Operations and Continuous Improvement

a. Ensure operations are running efficiently and processes meet Grande and regulatory standards.

b. Setup, monitor, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment to ensure everything is operating effectively. Make adjustments as needed to accommodate weight, temperature, time, and sensory changes. Perform preventive/general maintenance as needed to ensure optimal performance.

c. Within production areas, independently carry out critical stage production processes such as mixing, cooking, analyzing, inspecting, and final preparation.

d. Perform testing and inspection, communicate results, and make needed adjustments to processes.

e. Lead and/or participate in continuous improvement (CI) projects for safety, production and quality.

3. Sanitation

a. Perform sanitation of production areas and equipment, which may include: vats, conveyors, machines, tanks, pipes, fans, silos, hoses, and other dairy and packaging equipment. Dismantle, clean, scrub, foam, power wash & rinse, sanitize, de-scale, de-mineralize, andassembly to ensure removal of all debris and build‑up.

b. Maintain a clean working area by performing general sanitation including cleaning walls, floors, windows, sinks, scales, drains, footbaths, and electrical panels to keep areas free from pathogens and chemical contamination.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Safety

a. Complete all required documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting as required by law and/or regulatory agencies, (i.e. DNR, DOL, EEOC, FDA, IMS, OSHA, SQF, USDA, WDA, etc.).

b. Follow all SAFETY (food & workplace) policies and procedures.

5. Additional Responsibilities

a. Complete required paperwork, logs, and data entry into required computer systems (ERP, Scanworx, PowerApp, D365).

b. Thoroughly understand processes and independently make decisions that affect product quality.

c. Be a resource and assist with training new Associates on equipment and procedures.

d. Work with management and engineering in the installations of new equipment and processes.

e. Follow company policies and procedures.

f. Maintain confidentiality.

g. Provide back-up relief as needed.

h. Obtain & renew licenses/certifications required for this role in a timely manner.

Read Only Text - Disclaimer

The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that maybe assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

High School or GED required

Associate Degree preferred

Experience & Training

• Experience in dairy manufacturing is required, typically a minimum of three (3) or more years is needed for obtaining the required skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate thorough understanding of required processes and have ability to independently anticipate and make decisions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Leadership skills including the ability to effectively speak, present information, respond to questions and train & mentor others.
• Training and/or experience with conflict management, delegation, multi-tasking, and decision making.
• Ability to comprehend technical instructions/policies/procedures in written, verbal, or diagram form.
• Strong math, reading, and writing skills.

Qualifications

Education

Required

High School Diploma or better in General Education.

Preferred

Associates Degree or better in Operations Management.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.