Director, Manufacturing Systems bei Grande Cheese Company

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit www.grande.com. 

Did we convince you yet? If not check out our unique benefits

• Low cost onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Associate cheese purchasing program.
• Two-year mentorship program.
• Relaxation rooms (based on location).
• Coffee and gelato bar (based on location).
• Paid Parental Leave.
• State of the art corporate building: https://www.grande.com/careers/#office

Why Fond du Lac?

In Fond du Lac (FDL) you get the full four-season experience – warm in the summer with highs reaching into the 80s and plenty of sunshine for golf, biking, camping and live music under the open sky, and brisk air in the winter with average temps in the 20s and ample snow for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and winter festivals. The greater FDL area (population 43,000) is easy to get around and roughly an hour drive to almost all major metros in the state (Milwaukee, Madison and Fox Cities/Green Bay). We’ve been rated “Top 100” in job growth among small U.S. metro areas. Additionally, our cost of living is 4% below the national average and you’ll pay 21% less for housing, rent and property taxes compared to the rest of the country. From wonderful educational partners (public and private K12 schools and three local colleges/universities), a plethora of things to do/see, and a vibrant business and commerce community…learn more about how you can call Fond du Lac, HOME!

Job Summary

Grande is seeking a forward-thinking Director, Manufacturing Systems to lead the strategic transformation of our manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence through the rigorous implementation of Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and digital transformation initiatives. You will streamline end-to-end processes, enhance production agility, reduce waste, and uphold world-class quality standards across our cheese and Custom Ingredient Group (CIG) production facilities. As a key leader, you will champion continuous improvement, sustainability, and innovation while integrating advanced technologies such as IoT, MES, and predictive analytics into our manufacturing systems.

The ideal candidate is a passionate change agent and talent developer who thrives in a culture of excellence and innovation. You will lead structured coaching and development programs, build a robust leadership pipeline, and foster a lean-centric, high-performance work environment. With a strong focus on strategic planning, KPI ownership, and cross-functional collaboration, you will drive sustainable improvements in efficiency, quality, and reliability. Apply today to shape the future of manufacturing through bold leadership, cutting-edge technology, and a relentless commitment to improvement.

What you need to be considered for the role:

• Bachelor's degree in Operations or other related field required.
• Ten (10) or more years of manufacturing leadership experience with significant accomplishments in Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and Industry 4.0 integration.
• Demonstrated expertise in lean methodologies (Kaizen, VSM, 5S, SMED), TPM, digital systems (IoT, AI, MES), and predictive analytics.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).

Preferred:

• Graduate Degree