Job Information
Dairy Farmers of America Director, Plant Manager in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Position : Director, Plant Manager
Location : Grand Rapids, Michigan
Requisition ID: : 27013
Country Fresh has an opening for a Director, Plant Manager for our fluid milk, cultured products and ice cream manufacturing plant in Grand Rapids, MI . In this critical role you will direct and coordinate overall plant operations and priorities, and through managers, supervisors, and staff, ensure product is produced efficiently and within cost parameters. This position reports to the General Manager.
Country Fresh is a farmer-owned brand of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers. Our mark matters and it represents the wholesomeness of dairy that we share with our communities and loved ones. DFA manufactures a variety of dairy products, including cheese, butter, fluid milk, ice cream, dairy ingredients and more, under well-known and established regional brands. Our fingerprints touch thousands of brands across the marketplace, and we’re passionate about delivering the simple pleasures of dairy to people everywhere, straight from our family farm-owners. At Kemps, we create fluid milk and cream and are proud to provide families with fresh, delicious dairy.
By joining DFA, you can help us continue to make a difference that matters. We care deeply about the well-being of our neighbors and friends, and we celebrate the diversity of our company and our world. It takes an incredible team to deliver the goodness of dairy and enrich our communities – come join us!
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Manage plant operations in all areas of responsibility including administration, production, processing, packaging, quality, maintenance, warehousing, shipping, purchasing, safety, and environmental.
Establish production priorities to ensure product is produced efficiently and within cost parameters while maintaining safety, quality, and sanitation standards; obtain optimum production and utilization of workforce, machines, and equipment.
Review and analyze production, quality control, maintenance, and operational reports to ensure compliance and determine causes of non-conformity with product specifications, customer requirements, FDA/government regulations, etc. Report any non-compliance immediately per established protocol.
Analyze plant operations to ensure that the facility maintains a leadership position in the industry and that it takes advantage of new processes and technologies that become available.
Interact with customers to meet their expectations on a variety of goals including operational, customer service, financial, and quality.
Develop, monitor, and drive plant key performance indicators (KPI’s) related to safety, quality, productivity, and finances. Strive for continuous improvement in KPI results. Promote continuous improvement culture and activities.
Understand plant P&L to drive plant performance; participate in the development of annual operating, capital, and expense budgets; provide reliable and accurate information to finance to meet end-of-month closing schedules.
Manage or oversee all corporate, customer, and government audits to ensure compliance.
Provide appropriate direction, mentoring, training, and development planning for managers. Identify and retain highly effective personnel through proper selection, training and task assignment. Actively work with direct reports to cultivate capabilities and utilize strengths to support career development and succession planning efforts.
Maintain safe working conditions for employees and compliance with all company, state and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues.
Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all company regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
High school diploma or equivalent. Undergraduate degree in related curriculum preferred.
8 +years’ experience in a manufacturing environment in the dairy or food & beverage industry required.
5 + years’ managing operational processes and leading teams.
Proven track record of improved results in the areas of quality, safety, service, and cost.
Benefits:
Health and Welfare benefits begin 1 st of the month after start date
401(k) with company contribution
Competitive pay
Paid vacation and holidays
Career growth opportunities – we promote from within!
Comprehensive healthcare benefits
Service recognition and employee rewards
Employee referral program
Tuition reimbursement
Work for dairy farm families
An Equal Opportunity Employer
