Assistant Plant Manager - Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

General Purpose:



Lead daily plant manufacturing operations to meet or exceed plant budget and company goals. Maintain positive and productive workforce through effective leadership. Ensure highest standards of safety and quality are upheld.



Job Duties and Responsibilities:


* Lead daily manufacturing operations with direct supervisory responsibility for operations, maintenance, scheduling, and warehousing functions.
* Oversee overall plant operations in Plant Manager’s absence.
* Work collaboratively with all employees and support other divisions.
* Identify and retain highly effective personnel through proper selection, training, and task assignment.
* Provide appropriate direction, mentoring, training, and development planning for direct reports.
* Utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to improve plant performance related to safety, quality, cost, and delivery.
* Employ strategic planning in determining future operations needs.
* Address production, quality, personnel, safety, customer, and regulatory issues in a timely fashion.
* Review and ensure plant and products meet customer requirements and organizational production objectives are met.
* Ensure all plant personnel are operating in compliance with DFA procedures, customer requirements, and government regulations (i.e. EPA, FDA, OSHA, USDA, and local and state laws). Address any non-compliance immediately and notify relevant DFA leadership.
* Conduct meetings with plant staff to ensure all operational issues are communicated and addressed expediently through common understanding of goals.
* Assist in development and monitoring of budgets, capital projects, policies, and procedures.
* Interact with customers to meet their expectations on operational and quality objectives.
* Promote continuous improvement culture and activities.
* Dedicate effort to safety as we expect every employee to leave work in the same condition as they arrive.
* Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
* Exhibit the values and ethics of Dairy Farmers of America through honesty, discretion, and sound judgment.
* Adhere to all DFA Quality, Safety and GMP policies and procedures and report any nonconformity.
* Attend required training, including but not limited to Safety, GMP, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Safe Quality Foods (SQF).
* Food safety and regulatory responsibilities, and responsible for meeting the requirements of the SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing, and shall report food safety problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
* Ensure availability to respond to emergencies or other unexpected operational requirements (i.e. nights, weekends, or holidays). Participate in on-call rotation.
* The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee; but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.









Education and Experience:


* Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Business or related field
* 5 years of manufacturing management, including direct supervisory responsibilities
* Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or Masters of Science in related discipline preferred
* Food, beverage or pharmaceutical manufacturing experience preferred
* Prefer experience with SAP
* Certification and/or Licenses


* Certificate of completion from certified FDA Better Process School or able to obtain within 12 months of employment
* May be required to obtain and maintain other certifications and/or licenses in the future

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:


* Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems, specifically Excel and SAP
* Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management
* Knowledge of regulatory requirements (GMP, PMO, USDA, OSHA, and HACCP)
* Skill in proficient computer usage
* Skill in leadership and coaching
* Able to translate accounting, financial, and KPI data into plant performance and determine steps to correct and improve
* Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
* Able to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamwork
* Able to take appropriate steps to find solutions to problems
* Able to present options and ideas to current processes or procedures
* Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
* Able to promote a team environment
* Able to multi-task and problem solve
* Able to communicate with various levels of personnel to ensure customers’ needs and requirements are met
* Able to respond courteously and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requests
* Able to interpret and apply company policies
* Able to adapt and manage to change effectively
* Able to perform task and duties without constant supervision
* Able to read, write, and speak English
An Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled