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Vacation Relief Production Manager

Superior Dairy is seeking a results-driven leader to manage our production and warehouse operations, as a Relief Production Manager. This role oversees a team of supervisors and shift coordinators, ensuring that products are produced on time, within budget, and meet the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership skills, a focus on efficiency and safety, and a passion for driving continuous improvement across all areas of production and logistics.

Superior Dairy, founded in 1922, is best known for producing high quality dairy products, including fluid milk products, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream and chip dip. Superior Dairy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). Together we run a multi-state dairy manufacturing and innovation campus with four facilities across the Great Lakes region.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), established in 1916, is a dairy farmer-owned and operated milk marketing cooperative and dairy processor. As the 10th largest dairy cooperative in the U.S., we proudly serve dairy farmers across Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana. With a workforce of around 625 employees spread across four states, MMPA is deeply rooted in the dairy industry. We operate multiple facilities, including the Middlebury Cheese Company in Indiana, Superior Dairy in Ohio, and two SQF Level 3 dairy ingredient plants in Michigan. Our product lineup includes fluid milk, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, and condensed skim milk.

Why You’ll Love Working Here: At Superior Dairy, we believe in investing in our people and fostering an environment where you can grow both personally and professionally. Here are just a few reasons why you’ll enjoy working with us:

Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive salary to attract the best talent.
Health & Wellness Benefits: Comprehensive medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health services to support your well-being.
Disability Insurance: Protection for you in case of illness or injury.
Paid Time Off: Enjoy a generous PTO package to maintain a work-life balance.
Retirement Benefits: Secure your future with 401k contributions from us.
Growth Opportunities: We are committed to your personal and professional development.
Employee Appreciation: We regularly host events to show our appreciation for your hard work and dedication.
Wellness Initiatives: Participate in wellness programs designed to help you stay healthy and engaged.
Employee Feedback: Your voice matters, and we offer forums for your suggestions and input.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide relief coverage for shift Production Managers during vacations and leaves.
Accountable for directing the plant production activities and leading the production team to produce and ship quality products to meet business and customer requirements.
Responsible for full-plant operations including the warehouse in the absence of the Plant Manager.
Sets strategic direction and implementation of Operational Safety, Quality, HR, and Preventative Maintenance systems for the plant in alignment from Plant Manager.
Continually develops a stronger understanding of the operation of our milk balancing plant to include equipment operations, workflow, and labor contract features. This includes developing hands-on familiarity with operating processing equipment and the ability to update the production plan.
Evaluate and maintain effective application of the SQF plan and regulatory requirements to ensure product quality.
Inspect facility (production, warehouse, grounds) to assure adherence to safety and operating policies and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) using Company policies and procedures.
Controls and effectively utilizes the production capacity, workforce, equipment, and outside Dispatch resources through planning, organizing, and scheduling to minimize losses, while maintaining high levels of compliance with legal and Cooperative requirements.
Works within the framework of the budget to optimize producer profitability. Interprets policy and decides the best course of action in problems of quality, scheduling and allocation of employee resources maintain efficient operations.
Works closely with Production Managers and Plant Manager to review and adjust operational goals and efficiencies.
Most of the time is spent in the production environment with some typical office environment.
Mentors’ direct management employees. Participates in Cooperative planning through budget preparation, capital expenditure recommendation, workforce, and space forecasting.
Strategic partner in labor relations issues such as grievances, contract negotiations, etc.
Provides leadership, development, and support to team members under the guidance of the Michigan Milk Producers Association Management and Leadership Principles.

Education:

·Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Food Science, Business, or related field required.
5-7 years of experience managing in a plant environment

Experience:

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing experience preferred.
Knowledge of warehouse operations preferred.
1-3 years of union environment experience, collective barging agreement administration.
A proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Operational/plant management experience considered a plus.
Excellent analytical problem solving and trouble-shooting abilities.
Contract negotiation skills.
Ability to work effectively with regulatory agencies.
Effective communication and presentation skills.
Excellent planning/organization skills.
Ability to work with deadlines/schedules.
Self-starter; requires minimum supervision.
Candidate must be able proficient with Microsoft Office based programs.
Must have a valid Driver’s license.

Preferred:

Experience with milk processing such as separation, pasteurization, evaporation, spray drying, butter making, and powder packaging.
Knowledgeable in FDA, MDARD and USDA requirements.
Experience with MMPA systems and personnel.
Experience managing in a unionized environment.

Safety and Environmental:

Follow plant safety/environmental objectives and targets.
Follow plant safety rules, report incidents & unsafe conditions immediately.
Maintain compliance with regulations and refer to Safety & Environmental Management System(s) on all related procedures and programs.

Quality:

Demonstrates total commitment to the manufacturing of safe and compliant products.
Participates as a change control member to manage corrective actions in the production area.
Directs the troubleshooting of operational deviations.
Participates in periodic audits of sanitation, general GMP’s and manages corrective actions.

Production/Operations:

Participates in setting production standards with the Finance & Production teams.
Reviews the attained efficiencies/performances and yields on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and manages corrective actions for improvements.
Leads and participates in operational review meetings.
Facilitates Root Cause Analysis Exercises, including cost savings projects, communications, culture change.
Reviews and directs the operational Forms and SOP’s

Schedule:

Understands and provides input into the production master planning for the site.
Reviews the short-term and long-term production schedules as set by Logistics, Dispatch, and the Plant to optimize productivity and schedule attainment.
Participate in the weekly and daily production scheduling meetings.

Personnel:

Leads and directs the plant operations leadership to support effective execution of 365, 24-7 operations to meet cost, quality, and fulfillment goals.
Develops talent and coaches’ team to improve organizational effectiveness.
Sets goals for the department. Conducts performance appraisals.
Labor/Union: Coaches the Team Advisors on difficult union issues. Participate in union/management meetings and contract negotiations.
Hiring: Participates in the hiring of related new employees
Shows passion to lead efforts to coach, train, and develop department members.

Future Planning:

Reviews proposals for upcoming projects in the production areas.
Works with Operations Performance to conduct annual capacity studies as well as project related studies.
Throughout these responsibilities, maintains a focus on continuous improvement.

Behavioral Attributes:

Diligence - accomplishing tasks through concern for all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; maintaining watchfulness over a period.
Communication - presents ideas effectively, actively listens and works across functional boundaries.
Energy - Maintaining a high activity level. Some jobs require employees to maintain the required activity level for an extended period; to sustain concentration; or to pace the work throughout the work period.
Technical/Professional Knowledge - having an understanding and ability to use technical/professional information, keeping up on developments and trends in one’s field.
Teamwork/ Cooperation - effectively working within and outside the formal line of authority. Able to act in several roles depending upon the situation -facilitator, leader, executor, etc.
Initiative - Assert influence over events to achieve goals; self-starting rather than accepting passively; take action to achieve goals beyond what is required.
Tolerance for Stress - Able to maintain stable performance under pressure or ambiguity; able to work against tight timelines.
Customer Delight Orientation - Listen and understand internal and external customers, and to anticipate needs and exceed expectations.

Other Requirements:

The job requires individuals to monitor all aspects of the operation, often requiring inspection of hard-to-reach areas where the candidate may have to climb, balance, kneel, crouch and crawl. Pipe connections sometime require the individual to reach above the shoulders. On occasion an individual may be required to lift and / or move 50-pound components or finished product manually or with a powered industrial lift (PIT). Communication and listening skills are a must.

Why Join Us: At Superior Dairy, you’ll be joining a company with a strong legacy in the dairy industry, and a forward-thinking culture that values growth, wellness, and teamwork. We’re excited to welcome a passionate individual to our team who is eager to contribute to our success while growing their own career. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and work with a dynamic group of people, we want to hear from you!

Ready to join our team, Apply today!! We look forward to hearing from you!

We are a drug-free facility, and maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive work environment is a top priority. As part of our commitment to your well-being, all applicants will undergo a drug screening as part of the hiring process.

Superior Dairy is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workforce.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Superior Dairy provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

Please Note: We are not accepting unsolicited resumes or inquiries from third-party recruiters at this time. Thank you for your understanding.