Plant Manager

Proliant Dairy Ingredients is committed to providing the best dairy ingredient options for enhancing the value and effectiveness of our partners' products. We value quality in all we do; it is who we are. To that end, the purpose of this position is to facilitate and coordinate effective and efficient plant operations as well as the development of high-quality supervisors and plant operators, within a committed team environment. The Plant Manager is responsible for consistently modeling, promoting, enforcing, and maintaining a safe work environment and consistently striving to produce high quality products that meet or exceed customer expectations.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, Operations Management, or related degree preferred.

Experience:

Five years' experience in production and operations management with a bachelor's degree in a related field, or 8-10 years' equivalent experience without a bachelor's degree.

Dairy industry experience is strongly preferred.

JOB DUTIES:

Plant Operation Duties:

• Align plant leadership and employees around company goals and operational objectives, ensuring effective communication, clear priorities, and coordinated execution across all departments to drive overall plant performance.
• Ensure effective communication across all shifts and departments by establishing clear information-sharing processes and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Develop and lead an aligned, supportive plant leadership team by setting consistent leadership expectations and promoting a unified approach to decision-making and operational execution.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with company values and hold leaders and employees accountable for upholding those standards in all aspects of plant operations.
• Collaborate with leaders at other plant locations to share best practices, exchange learnings, and identify opportunities to improve operational performance across all plants.
• Monitor and take necessary action to ensure safe work conditions exist and safety rules and guidelines are followed and/or enforced.
• Develop and maintain process/procedures to ensure a comprehensive training program for supervisors and team members.
• Continue to develop knowledge in dairy/drying processes and techniques.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying plant issues, implementing corrective actions, and enhancing overall operational performance.
• Create and implement annual tactical plans and regularly exchange pertinent information with employees regarding daily and long-term operations and goals.
• Develop plant budget and equipment/machinery repairs or purchases, and facility improvement/addition in conjunction with Vice President of Operations.
• Monitor plant expenses and create corrective actions to meet budget goals.
• Identify capital expenses that support the plant in maintaining planned run time.
• Schedule incoming permeate loads based on supplier communication to PDI and receiving schedule accordingly.
• Effectively communicate with our permeate suppliers on the specifications of the incoming permeate supply.
• Oversee the ordering and coordinate the flow production supplies into the plant to maintain constant production flow. (Finished bag, pallets, slip sheets, etc)
• Trouble shoot production issues.
• Develop bench strength through training and succession planning efforts.
• Motivate supervisors and employees to achieve continuous process and personal improvement by providing strong leadership and also striving for personal growth.
• Direct meetings with plant employees as needed and attend regular managers' meetings.
• Maintain a safe working environment, both internally and with outside agencies (USDA, FDA, AIB, etc.), as well as attending all safety meetings and providing plant inspections and tours.
• Coordinate with the Maintenance Supervisor to ensure reliable equipment and smooth facility operations.
• Oversee the labor and production scheduling of the facility.
• Work with the Quality and Customer Service departments to make determinations on disposition of product based on product and customer specifications.

• Lead all aspects of people management, from hiring and development to performance, recognition, and employee relations.
• Serve as back-up SQF Practitioner and back-up PCQI.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must live within 30 minutes of the plant.
• Specific knowledge and first-hand experience with industrial production processes in an edible food processing plant.
• Ability to monitor the production processes, make necessary adjustments in scheduling and/or improve production methods/techniques to achieve company goals.
• Knowledge and ability to implement and ensure adherence to all safety techniques and procedures related to plant operations.
• Knowledge and ability to analyze, forecast, and plan production objectives.
• Ability to hire, train and evaluate personnel ensuring a competent work force to meet production objectives in a cost-effective manner. This will include goal setting and measurement of performance.
• Ability to develop and implement standard policies and procedures to maintain consistent daily plant operations, including S.O.P's.
• Ability to effectively interact and manage plant personnel.
• Ability to effectively communicate with corporate office management, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and other business-related contacts.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality related to all duties and responsibilities, such as production goals and personnel information.
• Ability to perform basic and complex mathematical calculations.
• Knowledge of organizational methods and the ability to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously.
• Ability to remain calm and professional.
• Ability to work daily and extended hours as necessary.
• Ability to assist with special or ongoing projects as instructed by the PDI leadership team.
• Knowledge in statistical process control preferred.
• Formal knowledge in Continuous Improvement/Lean Manufacturing preferred.
• Strong leadership ability in creating a team environment.

BASIC PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Approximate: 8-Hour Day (may be longer during peak season)

Key:

Occasional = 0% - 33%

Frequent = 34% - 66%

Continuous = 67% - 100%

N/A = Not Applicable

Standing - Frequent

Sitting - Frequent

Walking - Frequent

Bending/Kneeling/Crouching/Stooping - Frequent

Reaching Above Shoulder - Occasional

Climbing (stairs, ladders, etc.) - Frequent

Working on Heights:

Unprotected Heights - N/A

Protected Heights - Occasional

Lifting Weights from 0 to 50 pounds - Occasional

Push/Pull/Maneuver Equipment/Products/Materials

Weighing from 0 to 100 pounds - Occasional

Being Around and/or Operating Moving Machinery/Equipment - Frequent

Operating a Vehicle (as a part of your job) - Occasional

Read/Monitor Gauges on Various Equipment/Machinery - Frequent

Hand Movements:

Recording Data - Occasional

Operating Office Equipment - Occasional

Operating Computer - Continuous

Simple Grasping (right and left) - Occasional

Firm Grasping (right and left) - Occasional

Fine Manipulating (right and left) - Occasional

Foot Movements to Operate Foot Controls - Occasional

Good Vision, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to Access

Required Information and to Perform Job Duties - Yes

Color Definition - Yes

Good Hearing, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to Communicate

and/or Understand Required Information and to Perform Job Duties - Yes

Ability to be Mobile throughout Required Work Areas - Yes

Office - Frequent

Multiple Locations - Occasional

Plant - Frequent

Equipment/Maintenance or Repair Area - Frequent

Rough Terrain - Occasional

Other - N/A

BASIC MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires the mental capabilities to analyze plant operations to develop company resources in a manner to achieve maximum productivity to attain or exceed Proliant Dairy's business objectives. This position additionally requires the ability to solve problems utilizing solid analytical and communication skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND EXPOSURES:

Working conditions for this position will vary from a standard office environment to a manufacturing environment with exposure to non-weather-related variations in temperature and humidity, moving mechanical parts, fumes and/or airborne particles, caustic chemicals, and loud noise.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS:

• A choice of three quality affordable healthcare coverage options
• Vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• Health savings account with employer contribution/flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays

Proliant Dairy Ingredients 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 veteran status.

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