Production Manager

TITLE: Production Manager

REPORTING TO: Plant Director

LOCATION: Walton, NY

Lactalis Heritage Dairy is currently seeking candidates to join our team in Walton, NY.

Lactalis Group, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do.

If you're looking for a unique experience with a company that offers strong brands, professional expertise, and a dynamic work environment that champions entrepreneurial spirt, hands-on responsibility and real opportunity for career development, we want to hear from you!

Lactalis Heritage Dairy: inviting you to share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE.

From your PASSION to ours

The Production Manager is responsible for the overall management of manufacturing processes within the plant. Ensures manufacturing performance, volume and quality goals are met by utilizing efficient methods, along with maintaining appropriate staffing and labor cost levels. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to achieving project/department goals within budget; coordinating manufacturing activities with other departments (Sales, Marketing, R&D, etc) as well as with vendors. Oversees the interviewing and hiring of production employees to include appraising performance, rewarding and coaching employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Analyzes manufacturing data and identifies trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement; identifies and utilizes methods to assure manufacturing processes are more efficient and effective (reducing waste, reducing labor cost, etc).
• Partners with the Plant Director to manage and adjust manufacturing processes to maintain conformance with standards, specifications and customer requirements.
• Ensures successful completion of department specific initiatives (e.g. CapEx projects).
• Ensures compliance with workplace and government-mandated standards (FDA, USDA, OSHA, etc.)
• Responsible for maintaining all GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and all regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for preparing a variety of manufacturing reports and presenting information to senior managers, including identifying corrective actions or adjustments as required.
• Responsible for the overall safety of employees through continual inspection of the department and processes, making necessary changes to ensure efficiency is not compromised by safety and health concerns.
• Partners with other Managers to coordinate departmental activities. Works closely with Maintenance on a variety of issues related to equipment, department maintenance and preventative maintenance program.
• Ensures adherence to GMP, GSP, FSSC practices, and QC policies and procedures, and proper maintenance of equipment.
• Partners with Plant Director to manage the department budgeting and Cap Ex process; to include collection, preparation, and presentation of data to top management. Responsible for continuously monitoring and explaining variances in labor costs and productivity.
• Participates in and may assume responsibility for product grading.
• Ensures quality assurance programs prevent or eliminate defects in new or existing products.
• Ensures effective employee relations by supporting and maintaining a safe and positive work environment. Analyzes and assists in resolving work and/or employee issues through problem resolution.
• Responsible for managing team members, including interviewing, hiring, and training and developing; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Partner with HR on all employee relations issues.
• Travel and/or extended or off-work hours may be required.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Bachelor's degree or higher, in Food Science, Dairy Science or Chemistry is preferred.
• 5+ years' experience Manufacturing Production experience is required. Additional experience in Packaging, Warehouse and/or Distribution preferred; experience in the Food Or Dairy Industry preferred.
• 5+ Years of experience leading direct reporting team members is required.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state and local regulatory requirements within the dairy industry (OSHA, Food Safety, FDA and USDA).
• Strong knowledge of ISO and certifications within the food industry (FSSC, ISO 9001).
• Proficiency with computer systems (Microsoft Word, manufacturing operating systems such as SAP).
• Effective and proficient communicator, written and verbal
• Business acumen to include problem-solving and analysis
• Ability to prioritize and manage day-to-day operations and projects in a changing, complex, time-sensitive environment.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organizational skill with proven attention to detail.
• Strong team player with the ability to work with all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to select, lead, coach, influence, motivate, develop, engage and retain a team of employees.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and on-call as needed.

Lactalis Heritage Dairy 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.