Plant 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 an attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that includes but is not limited 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.

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS:

Oversee the daily operation of the plant. In the absence of the Plant Manager, the Operations Manager will assume manager duties and responsibilities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plant Operations: Establish and/or approve production schedules, functions, and personnel to ensure that quotas and goals are met, and finished goods inventories and shipments are maintained at proper levels.  Review daily inventories and plan daily production.  Conduct daily staff meetings to coordinate daily plant activities.  Review daily load out schedule and coordinate with staff and milk movement personnel.  Review daily production efficiencies and production reports. Review companies KPI’s, plant loss and assist in setting goals.  In the absence of the Operations Manager, reports directly to the Director of Operations. 
• Plant Quality: Ensure the completion of daily production and quality documentation. Drive continuous improvement efforts in product quality/performance and process optimization. Communicate with plant personnel on issues related to the facility such as plant goals and quality issues and/or non-conformances.  Review microbiology test results daily and direct further investigation of high counts.  Review list of any out-of-spec. product with Food Safety Quality Assurance (FSQA) Manager.  Review all product C of A's.
• Plant Audits: Ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, and compliance within company standards. Assist Quality Assurance with all plant audits.
• Industrial Wastewater:  Check wastewater facility daily.  Review daily reports as required.
• Sanitation:  Review CIP records daily.  Review random equipment checks with chemical account representative.
• Plant Employees:  Audit sampling techniques and sanitation practices.  Monitor production departments throughout shift and assure employee compliance with GMP’s, sanitation and safety. Provide training as needed. Provide annual GMP and HACCP training.
• Demonstrate our core values of integrity, accountability, safety, and respect in all interactions with team members and clients.
• Responsible for creating and harboring a culture of continuous improvement and promoting and celebrating innovation and enhanced productivity.
• Purchasing:  Review and approve orders supplies.  Track purchases and prepare appropriate paperwork. Maintain inventory of all production packaging and supplies.
• Equipment:  Verify that all plant equipment is in good working condition and all preventative maintenance is being performed on a scheduled basis.  Review and approve all work orders.  Review all daily maintenance activity reports.  Develop capital justifications to update equipment as needed. Recommend and/or implement improvements in machinery, equipment, or manufacturing methods to management. Maintain working knowledge of machine capabilities and throughout.
• Environmental: Review Air Quality annual reports.  Review and coordinate completion of Annual Form R for EPA/Health Department.  Review and coordinate completion of Annual Hazardous Materials Inventory and Business Plan.  Perform other duties as necessary.
• Safety: Support the operations with implementation in an accident and injury-free work environment through leadership by example, modeling safe behavior, and supporting established safety initiatives. Review Safety program and training with EHS Manager or Supervisor.  Daily observation during plant audit will include safety.  Check each department and observe employee safety procedures.  Member of the Food Safety Team and Food Quality Team. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This position has management and employee supervisory responsibilities for the entire facility in the area of discipline, hiring, and firing.
• Review on the job training reviews.
• Coordinate on the job training.
• Oversee adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Oversee scheduling of management, employees, and temporary labor.
• Have the responsibility of reviewing timesheets, overtime and approve payroll.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must have the ability to trouble shoot problems and be persistent until a solution is found.
• Must work in a safe manner and follow all safety procedures including use of safety equipment.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process is unclear.

• Proficient in verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate with upper management on a daily basis.
• Leadership, team development, coaching, and / or teaching experience.
• Good math and statistical skills.
• Excellent computer skills for data input, report writing, program tracking. Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel skills are mandatory.
• Excellent organizational and follow-through skills.