Plant Operations Manager

Plant Operations Manager

Looking for a job that can grow into a lifelong career? At Lactalis USA, we believe in promoting from within and giving our employees meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience, we'll provide the tools and support you need to succeed. Lactalis is the world leader in dairy—a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Every day, we're proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together every day. In the US, we offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi's®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with sour cream and a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®. At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We're building a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued. Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us make an impact.

From your PASSION to ours

The Plant Operations Manager will be an active member of the plant leadership team and help set the direction for the entire site, as well as be responsible for providing leadership and manufacturing expertise. This role will be responsible for the daily manufacturing operations and will give you the opportunity to set strategy for your department, develop your team, and execute your plans.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Lead the development of Manufacturing Excellence in the department and demonstrate inspirational leadership.
• Develop short and long-term strategies to drive productivity, organizational effectiveness and improvements in key plant priorities and metrics.
• Lead Operations Department, including developing and leading divisional efforts and influencing decisions that will impact the business and the plant.
• Provide business and technical leadership necessary to ensure both the department and facility meet and/or exceed goals in critical manufacturing success areas (Cost, Quality, Sanitation, System Utilization, Customer Service, Health/Safety/Environment).
• Establish and track all top losses linked to the plant Key Performance Indicators.
• Work closely with Quality Control Manager and Laboratory personnel in a wide variety of areas including quality of raw materials, product specifications, and good manufacturing and sanitation practices.
• Guide, educate, coach, develop and motivate work group to achieve required human safety, food safety, and production.
• Ensure effective interchange of information between operations department and support resources at the plant.
• Foster a strong working partnership with all functions to support plant objectives.
• Create an environment where all employees are encouraged & developed to reach their full potential in meeting department/business goals.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• 5-7 years of related experience, 7+ years preferred.
• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Preferred.
• Leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including the ability to effectively lead change.
• Ability to develop and lead strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with the floor including building positive employee relations.
• Effectively deliver results through others by managing salaried employees and/or leading cross-functional teams.
• Solid business judgment including demonstrated problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of technology (i.e. complexities of products, machinery, and costs).
• Strong coaching skills and ability to deliver effective feedback.
• Good financial analysis and resource allocation skills; experience developing productivity pipeline is preferred.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career. Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.