Whey Plant Manager — Lean Operations Leader

Grande Cheese

Friendship (AL)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 190,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Onsite clinics

Free fitness center

Healthy snacks

Wellness reimbursement

Cheese purchasing program

Two-year mentorship program

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Grande Cheese is seeking a Plant Manager to lead our whey processing facility in Friendship, WI. You will drive strategic and day-to-day operations, leveraging lean principles, engineering insights, and a passion for food safety to optimize safety, quality, productivity, cost, and customer service.

You will guide cross-functional teams and partner with Finance, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D to deliver measurable results.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, or related field.
8+ years of senior operations leadership experience in food manufacturing.
Knowledge of lean principles and process optimization.
Knowledge of CFR, FSMA, PMO, and Bioterrorism Act.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated leadership & team-building abilities.
Ability to work with people at all levels across functions.
Strong decision-making and organizational skills.
Intermediate computer skills.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic and day-to-day operations of the whey facility in Friendship, WI.
Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Oversee safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and cost control.
Develop long-term operational strategies and capital plans.
Mentor and develop site talent and cross-functional teams.