Full-Time
Assistant Plant Director
Food Manufacturing
Lactalis
10,001+ employees
Global dairy products producer and employer
No salary listed
Londonderry, NH, USA
In Person
Occasional travel may be required.
Bachelor's, MBA
 Manufacturing & Production Operations |
|---|
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- A bachelor's degree is required.
- Ten or more years of dairy or food processing experience, including production management, planning management, and continuous improvement, is required.
- Knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, food safety, Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, and International Organization for Standardization requirements is required, along with food-industry certifications such as Food Safety System Certification and International Organization for Standardization 9001.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.
- Strong business acumen, including financial planning and management, is required.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and critical-thinking ability are required.
- The ability to foster strong relationships and develop talent while using data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement is required.
- Strong proficiency with computer systems, including Microsoft Office applications, is required.
- The ability to manage team resources and achieve production targets is required.
- The ability to analyze production results, including costs, volumes, time, and breakdowns, and identify and solve problems to rationalize production is required.
- The ability to meet production requirements for ordering materials, raw ingredients, and packaging while considering stock levels, lead times, and budget is required.
- The ability to report on material levels and usage by capturing and monitoring information is required.
- The ability to analyze and report on materials and ingredients used in daily cycle counts to control manufacturing and minimize waste is required.
- Complete knowledge of industrial technologies and processes, including their characteristics, advantages, constraints, opportunities, and risks, is required.
- The ability to determine, implement, monitor, and develop industrial technologies and processes is required.
- The ability to implement Good Manufacturing Practices through written work instructions, best practices, and standard operating procedures that comply with health regulations and support product safety and quality is required.
- Direct all plant operations to meet production schedules, manage costs, and drive continuous improvement.
- Lead capital and technology projects to improve reliability and consumer satisfaction.
- Provide leadership to the management team, including hiring, performance reviews, and coaching.
- Cultivate a positive and collaborative team environment focused on employee engagement.
- Manage production scheduling, standard costs, cost reductions, cost variance, productivity, continuous improvement, sanitation, consumer satisfaction, reliability, and capital and technology improvements to meet operating-plan measures.
- Monitor performance and communicate progress to keep teams focused on production targets.
- Implement solutions to drive continuous improvement in plant operations and line performance.
- Lead the organization in achieving quality and safety goals while ensuring adherence to company guidelines and regulatory standards.
- Provide regular financial key performance indicator and productivity reviews, create action plans based on results, and communicate key focus areas to plant employees.
- Oversee compliance with Preventive Maintenance Organization and Food and Drug Administration regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules, and company guidelines within manufacturing operations.
- Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the Warehouse, Continuous Improvement, Scheduling and Materials, Processing, and Filling/Packing departments.
- Interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; and address complaints and resolve problems.
- A Master of Business Administration is preferred.
- Majors in Engineering, Food Science, Business Administration, or a related field are preferred.
- Ten or more years of leadership experience is preferred.
Lactalis is a global dairy group with roots in Laval, France, employing about 80,000 people across 250 production sites in around 100 countries. It covers all dairy categories—milk, ultra-fresh dairy, cheese, butter, cream, and dairy ingredients—through a portfolio of roughly 100 brands that ranges from major national names to local labels. Its products come from a long-standing dairy expertise rooted in cheesemongering and AOP cheese production, delivered through many sites and brands to fit local food cultures. Its goal is to offer healthy, gourmet, and accessible dairy products to as many people as possible while supporting rural economies and maintaining leadership in the global dairy industry.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Mayenne, France
Founded
1933
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- August 2026 Saputo UK acquisition deepens British distribution and adds five factories.
- July 2026 Agropur fine-cheese deal adds OKA, Monsieur Gustav, and two Quebec plants.
- Lactalis invested $75 million in New York plants, adding automation and 50 jobs.
What critics are saying
- Spain's Supreme Court finalized Lactalis cartel liability on June 29, 2026.
- Foodwatch sued Lactalis in January 2026 over delayed infant-formula recalls.
- Brisbane's South Brisbane milk plant closes July 2026, eliminating 202 jobs.
What makes Lactalis unique
- Lactalis controls global dairy scale across Cathedral City, Président, and Galbani.
- June 2026 Protein Works adds protein nutrition expertise beyond traditional milk processing.
- August 2026 Saputo UK deal makes Lactalis a leader in cheddar, butter, and spreads.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Professional Development Budget
Wellness Program
Company News
YFM has exited Protein Works following its acquisition by Lactalis, the world's leading dairy company, achieving a 10.8x cash multiple after seven years of partnership. YFM backed the sports nutrition brand through its Buyout Fund in 2019 when the business generated £13 million in revenue and operated almost entirely in the UK. The firm repositioned the company from sports nutrition into mainstream lifestyle nutrition whilst investing £11 million in a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Liverpool. Under YFM's ownership, revenue grew to approximately £55 million, gross margins improved significantly, and the customer base expanded to over 2.5 million with meaningful international presence. The acquisition by Lactalis provides Protein Works with access to deeper distribution and broader resources within one of the world's largest food and beverage groups.
Danone has entered into an agreement to sell its Swedish probiotic fruit juices brand, ProViva, to the French dairy group Lactalis. This transaction involves the sale of the Österlenmejeriet factory located in Lunnarp, Skåne County, in southeastern Sweden. The factory is Danone's only facility in Sweden and has previously received a Skr140m (approximately $16.9m) investment in 2020.
Fonterra Co-operative Group's shareholders have approved the sale of its consumer business to French company Lactalis for $4.2 billion. The decision was made during a brief online special meeting, which lasted only 20 minutes and included no questions from shareholders.
The dairy giant's boss explains why it has agreed to sell its consumer businesses, including Mainland and Anchor, for nearly $4 billion.
Lactalis USA invests $75M in NY dairy plants, expanding capacity, automation, and creating 50 jobs with state tax support.