Production Manager

Michigan Milk Producers Association; Remus (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health benefits

Disability insurance

Paid time off

401k with employer contributions

Growth opportunities

Employee events

Job summary

Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer owned cooperative and dairy processor with plants in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. The Production/Operations Manager will lead the plant’s production and warehouse teams, ensuring on‑time, within‑budget output that meets safety and quality standards under SQF/GMP guidelines.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s in a related field and bring 5–7 years of plant management experience, with strong analytical and regulatory communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Food Science, Business, or related field required.
• 5-7 years of experience managing in a plant environment.
• Food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of warehouse operations preferred.
• Excellent analytical problem solving and trouble‑shooting abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with regulatory agencies.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent planning/organization skills.
• Must have a valid Driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Direct plant production activities and lead the production team to meet quality requirements.
• Oversee full‑plant operations including processing, production and warehouse.
• Set strategic direction for safety, quality, HR, and maintenance systems.
• Develop understanding of operations, equipment, workflow, and labor resources.
• Maintain SQF compliance and GMP adherence.
• Manage production capacity, workforce, and site resources efficiently.
• Collaborate with Plant Manager to adjust goals and efficiencies.
• Lead and mentor management staff and coordinate with budget planning.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Safety compliance

Quality systems

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Us

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

About Us

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

MMPA maintains a strong presence within the dairy industry with strategic business relationships through a variety of channels like processing shelf-stable, value added dairy products. MMPA has four member owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company.Products made at MMPA’s plants include fluid milk, sour cream, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream and condensed skim milk.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Competitive salary
• Health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, includingmental health benefits
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement including 401k with employer contributions
• Personal and professional growth opportunities
• Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Employeefeedback and suggestion forums

Position Summary

Responsible for managing a team of production and warehouse supervisors and shift coordinators. Manages and coordinates all aspects of the production and warehouse processes, ensuring products are produced on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This position leads the production and warehouse team to achieve efficiency and safety goals.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for directing the plant production activities and leading the production team to produce and ship quality products to meet business and customer requirements.
• Responsible for full-plant operations including processing, production and the warehouse
• Sets strategic direction and implementation of Operational Safety, Quality, HR, and Preventative Maintenance systems for the plant in alignment from Plant Manager.
• Continually develops a stronger understanding of the operation to include equipment operations, workflow, and labor resources. This includes developing hands‑on familiarity with operating processing and packaging equipment and the ability to update the production plan.
• Evaluate and maintain effective application of the SQF plan and regulatory requirements to ensure product quality.
• Inspect facility (production, warehouse, grounds) to assure adherence to safety and operating policies and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) using Company policies and procedures.
• Controls and effectively utilizes the production capacity, workforce, equipment, and outside resources through planning, organizing, and scheduling to minimize losses, while maintaining high levels of compliance with legal and Cooperative requirements.
• Works within the framework of the budget to optimize producer profitability. Interprets policy and decides the best course of action in problems of quality, scheduling and allocation of employee resources maintain efficient operations.
• Works closely with the Plant Manager and supervisors to review and adjust operational goals and efficiencies.
• Most of the time is spent in the production environment with some typical office environment.
• Mentors’ direct management employees. Participates in Cooperative planning through budget preparation, capital expenditure recommendation, workforce, and space forecasting.
• Strategic partner in labor relations issues.
• Provides leadership, development, and support to team members under the guidance of the Michigan Milk Producers Association Management and Leadership Principles.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Food Science, Business, or related field required.
• 5-7 years of experience managing in a plant environment.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of warehouse operations preferred.
• A proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Operational/plant management experience considered a plus.
• Excellent analytical problem solving and trouble‑shooting abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with regulatory agencies.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent planning/organization skills.
• Ability to work with deadlines/schedules.
• Self‑starter; requires minimum supervision.
• Candidate must be able proficient with Microsoft Office based programs.
• Must have a valid Driver’s license.

Preferred

• Experience with milk processing such as separator, pasteurizers, evaporators and filtration equipment (RO / UF).
• Knowledgeable in FDA, MDARD and USDA requirements.
• Experience with MMPA systems and personnel.
• Experience managing in a unionized environment.

Safety And Environmental

• Follow plant safety/environmental objectives and targets.
• Follow plant safety rules, report incidents & unsafe conditions immediately.
• Maintain compliance with regulations and refer to the Safety & Environmental Management System(s) on all related procedures and programs.

Quality

• Demonstrates total commitment to the manufacturing of safe and compliant products.
• Participates as a change control member to manage corrective actions in the production area.
• Directs the troubleshooting of operational deviations.
• Participates in periodic audits of sanitation, general GMP’s and manages corrective actions.

Production/Operations

• Participates in setting production standards with the Finance & Production teams.
• Reviews the attained efficiencies/performances and yields on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and manages corrective actions for improvements.
• Leads and participates in operational review meetings.
• Facilitates Root Cause Analysis Exercises, including cost savings projects, communications, culture change.
• Reviews and directs the operational Forms and SOP’s

Schedule

• Understands and provides input into the production master planning for the site.
• Reviews the short‑term and long‑term production schedules to optimize productivity and schedule attainment.
• Participate in the weekly and daily production scheduling meetings.

Personnel

• Leads and directs the plant operations leadership to support effective execution of 365, 24‑7 operations to meet cost, quality, and fulfillment goals.
• Develops talent and coaches’ team to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Sets goals for the department. Conducts performance appraisals.
• Labor: Coaches the Team Advisors on difficult personnel issues.
• Hiring: Participates in the hiring of related new employees
• Shows passion to lead efforts to coach, train, and develop department members.

Future Planning

• Reviews proposals for upcoming projects in the production areas.
• Works with Operations Performance to conduct annual capacity studies as well as project related studies.

Behavioral Attributes

Throughout these responsibilities, maintains a focus on continuous improvement.

• Diligence - accomplishing tasks through concern for all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; maintaining watchfulness over a period.
• Communication - presents ideas effectively, actively listens and works across functional boundaries.
• Energy - Maintaining a high activity level. Some jobs require employees to maintain the required activity level for an extended period; to sustain concentration; or to pace the work throughout the work period.
• Technical/Professional Knowledge - having an understanding and ability to use technical/professional information, keeping up on developments and trends in one’s field.
• Teamwork/ Cooperation - effectively working within and outside the formal line of authority. Able to act in several roles depending upon the situation -facilitator, leader, executor, etc.
• Initiative - Assert influence over events to achieve goals; self‑starting rather than accepting passively; take action to achieve goals beyond what is required.
• Tolerance for Stress - Able to maintain stable performance under pressure or ambiguity; able to work against tight timelines.
• Customer Delight Orientation - Listen and understand internal and external customers, and to anticipate needs and exceed expectations.

Other Requirements

• The job requires individuals to monitor all aspects of the operation, often requiring inspection of hard‑to‑reach areas where the candidate may have to climb, balance, kneel, crouch and crawl. Pipe connections sometime require the individual to reach above the shoulders. On occasion an individual may be required to lift and / or move 50‑pound components or finished product manually or with a powered industrial lift (PIT). Communication and listening skills are a must.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States.

MMPA is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for all employees as one of our top priorities. As part of our commitment to your well‑being and workplace safety, all applicants are required to undergo a drug screening and background check as part of the hiring process.

We are not accepting unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or résumés from third‑party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

MMPA is an equal opportunity employer.

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