Manufacturing Site Director - Dairy/Cheese

Our Fortune 200 client is seeking a Manufacturing Site Director to provide overall direction for their Eastern Wisconsin dairy facility. The Manufacturing Site Director is accountable for the plant results in all areas of safety, quality, sanitation, cost, customer service, cheesemaking, milk receiving, and people development. Responsible for driving improved performance in all these areas that meets business targets and supports growth of Dairy Foods division. This site is a 24/7/365 milk receiving facility that produces cheese as well as sweet whey powder.

Experience-Education (Required):

• 10+ years progressive manufacturing experience with proven leadership qualities and a history of delivering sustainable results.
• Bachelor's degree in Science/Food Science, Agriculture, Business Administration, Engineering or related education is required.
• Demonstrated success in Continuous Improvement principles LEAN/Six Sigma/TPM.
• Demonstrated success in union environments, contract negotiations, and Employee/Labor Relations.
• Dairy experience in Milk Receiving and Cheese Make process required; aged cheddar experience is preferred.
• Develop and coach teamwork and collaboration within the entire site that improves plant culture and drives business results.
• Ability to lead and develop a salaried team of technical engineers, department managers, and supervisors.
• Ability to develop strategic plans and implement actions for the site.
• Proven track record with Manufacturing Transformation/change management that drives cost savings and improves overall plant culture.
• Work closely with sales to ensure effective customer relationships.

Competencies-Skills (Required):

• Ability to effectively lead the plant staff of managers, supervisors, engineers, cheesemakers, as well as the union hourly team to achieve all plant goals.
• Ability to effectively interact with the corporate cross-functional team including EHS, Quality, R&D, SO, Finance, and sales. Work effectively with all functions to ensure plant and business objectives are met.
• Technical acumen to solve problems and lead engineers, cheesemakers, and supervisors that results in high quality, ageable cheddar cheese.
• Ability to lead and develop the plant staff in accordance with LOL Leadership Competencies that motivate and engage team members at all levels in the plant.
• Possess a passion for diversity and inclusion, including a proven record of accomplishment of leading diversity initiatives and delivering results.
• Ability to lead the team to innovate, develop, and implement cost savings initiatives that drive improved cost/lb performance year on year.
• Possess solid financial background and manufacturing experiences to understand daily, monthly, and annual impacts and drivers of material yield, off grades, reliability, OEE, and labor productivity for the plant.
• Experience in developing and executing financial and capital budgets.
• Create a positive work environment that supports continuous improvement in all areas of the site.
• Direct activities in Employee Relations that drive development and accountability, as well as increase engagement and retention within the team.
• Effective leadership and communication within the community, as well as with member relations.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Experience-Education (Preferred):

• Progressive manufacturing experience in cheddar cheesemaking, dairy, or food related segment.
• Lean/Continuous Improvement certifications.