Production Manager

Select Milk Producers is one of the nation’s largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with 32 wholly owned subsidiaries, 12 processing plants, and 8 joint ventures including Fair Oaks Farms, Continental Dairy Facilities, Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, Mill Haven Foods, Select Custom Solutions, GreenLink and Select Services. With over 1,000 employees, the Select Milk family of companies impacts all aspects of the dairy farm business and at the heart of our family of companies, is you.

"We strive to go above and beyond what’s expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it’s in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what’s right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard."

Select Milk Producers and its subsidiaries offer attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that includes but is not limited to medical, vision, dental, life insurance, and more that can be tailored for you and your family. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) up to 6% company match, life and disability insurance, and paid holidays & vacation. We are proud to promote an equal employment opportunity workplace.

What Select Offers You

Comprehensive benefits package focusing on your physical, financial and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings (health, dental, vision, etc.):

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays Off
• Uniform Program
• Shoe Allowance
• Onsite gym
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Leadership Development
• Opportunities to support our local communities
• Chance to apply best practices in sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Commitment to producing high quality nutritious products and providing nourishment around the world
  
  

What This Role Is All About

We are looking for a Production Manager in La Crosse, WI.

The Production Manager is responsible for maintaining a productive, cost-efficient and high-quality production operation; providing daily coordination and oversight of area department activities.

Job Duties

• Oversee the area department production operations of the facility.
• Works with Quality Assurance to manage production activities necessary for the effective implementation and maintenance of food safety and quality plans and pre-requisite programs.
• Responsible for area department budgets and cost reduction activities.
• Play a key role in maintaining the quality of the products produced.
• Ensure all production employees are trained and have a complete understanding of all Standard Operating Procedures and work methods related to Safety, Quality, and Production of the manufacturing processes in the facility.
• Manage and coordinate activities of workers engaged in manufacturing, ensuring all aspects of production are handled at the highest level of quality.
• Inspect products to verify conformance to specifications and direct/oversee setup and adjustments of machines.
• Ensure all areas of the plant are following company standard GMP’s in their daily production runs.
• Share responsibility for all aspects of plant functions as it relates to production.
• Ensure that all routine functions and mandatory paperwork are performed accurately and completed at the required frequencies.
• Work with plant, corporate and client personnel to resolve day-to-day production tasks/needs as they arise.
• Drive training and coaching to ensure compliance with Safety standards and incident prevention.
• Work directly with research and development and/or technical manager on customer product initiatives, adjustments to process and raw material assessment.
• Supervisory Responsibilities:
• Responsible for employee relations including work direction of employees, hiring, training, performance reviews, administering policies and procedures, disciplinary action, and compensation recommendations.
• Direct implementation of departmental objectives, goals and policies.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Provide assistance and support for all regulatory agency audits as well as all customer and supplier audits for the facility as needed.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Safety Protocol:
• Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
• Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
• Support safety policies and programs.
  
  

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Business, Operations Management, or any other related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.
  
  

Experience Required

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in manufacturing required.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a dairy and/or food production plant required.
• Minimum two (2) years supervisory experience required.
  
  

Where You’ll Be Working

Our La Crosse, WI, plant is home to approximately 330 employees. This facility supplies the food, beverage, and nutritional industries with innovative functional ingredients and superior quality contract manufacturing services.

La Crosse, WI, is nestled between the Mississippi River and the rolling river bluffs. This town is home to a plethora of colleges, high-quality health care, community events, and cultural opportunities. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities there are many opportunities, such as hiking, cycling, skiing, and boating. The town hosts multiple events annually and is famously known for their Oktoberfest celebration as well as offering a minor league baseball team. Visit the La Crosse Chamber site https://www.lacrossechamber.com/ for more information on local events.

AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Accepting Applications Until Wednesday, April 30, 2025