Director, Plant Manager

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for dairy manufacturing and operational excellence? Country Fresh, a proud Kemps and farmer-owned brand under Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), is seeking a Director, Plant Manager to lead our Grand Rapids, MI facility—home to our renowned fluid milk, cultured products, and ice cream production. In this pivotal role, you will drive plant performance, optimize efficiencies, and lead a dedicated team to ensure high-quality products reach our customers. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are ready to make a lasting impact in a vital industry, we want to hear from you!

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. 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 production is efficient 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 takes advantage of new processes and technologies.
• 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 of 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' of 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 1st 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