Plant Manager bei Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

The Plant Manager provides strategic and hands-on leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality dairy production. This position is accountable for daily operations, including production, maintenance, quality, and workforce development. The Plant Manager drives a culture rooted in the Seven for Success (SFS) framework — championing Safety first, maintaining the highest Quality standards, improving Productivity, strengthening Customer Service relationships, promoting open Communication, developing employees through Training, and fostering Continuous Improvement in every process. This individual serves as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and collaborates across departments to support growth, modernization, and organizational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee Daily Production Operations

• Direct all plant operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and cost targets are achieved.
• Maintain effective communication across shifts to ensure consistent performance.
• Strong Command of Integrated Business Planning, Master Scheduling, and ERP Systems

Ensure Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations (FDA, USDA, HAACP, OSHA, SQF, etc.).
• Partner with Quality Assurance to uphold product integrity and food safety systems.
• Support internal and external audits, customer visits, and certification renewals

Lead and Develop Plant Personnel

• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and frontline employees to foster a culture of accountability and teamwork.
• Conduct performance evaluations, identify high-potential talent, and implement development plans.

Monitor Plant Performance Metrics

• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as throughput, yield, OEE, quality, and labor efficiency.
• Analyze data to identify trends, drive problem-solving, and ensure timely corrective action.

Manage Budget and Cost Control

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets and capital plans.
• Monitor expenses, control variances, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or safety.

Drive Continuous Improvement Initiatives

• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and CI efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Engage teams in identifying process bottlenecks and implementing sustainable improvements.

Coordinate Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Finance, and HR to achieve business objectives.
• Support enterprise initiatives including SAP integration, sustainability projects, and workforce development.

Ensure Maintenance Reliability

• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to plan and execute upgrades and capital projects.

Champion Employee Safety and Engagement

• Promote a proactive safety culture with zero tolerance for unsafe practices.
• Lead monthly safety meetings, audits, and engagement activities to build ownership at all levels.

Plan for Production Capacity and Growth

• Develop and execute long-term operational strategies that align with cooperative growth objectives.
• Prepare for product innovation, new technologies, and changing customer demands.

Competencies: Leadership

1. Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others responsible for meeting commitments.
2. Communicates Effectively: Delivers clear, timely, and respectful communication across levels.
3. Manages Complexity: Makes sound decisions amid uncertainty and competing priorities.
4. Customer Focus: Builds strong relationships and ensures satisfaction through consistent quality and service.
5. Directs Work: Delegates effectively and sets clear expectations for performance and results.
6. Financial Acumen: Understands budgets, cost drivers, and financial impacts of operational decisions.
7. Drives Results: Consistently delivers against production, safety, and financial targets.
8. Builds Effective Teams: Fosters collaboration and cohesion among diverse workgroups.

Competencies: Technical:

Manufacturing Systems and Process Knowledge

• Deep understanding of dairy and food processing systems including pasteurization, separation, homogenization, and packaging.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and 5S workplace organization.
• Familiarity with automated process controls (PLC, SCADA, HMI systems) and data-driven manufacturing operations.

Food Safety and Quality Systems

• Proficiency in HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, and state regulatory requirements.
• Skilled in root cause analysis (RCA), corrective/preventive action (CAPA), and audit management.
• Strong understanding of product traceability, recall readiness, and continuous quality improvement practices.

Maintenance and Reliability Program Management

• Knowledge of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Familiarity with key maintenance metrics such as MTBF and MTTR.

Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing

• Application of Lean Six Sigma tools (5 Whys, DMAIC, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, SPC).
• Proven ability to lead process-improvement teams to reduce waste and enhance yield.
• Understanding of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and production optimization.

Production Planning and ERP Systems

• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP S/4HANA for production planning, scheduling, and inventory control.
• Strong command of Integrated Business Planning (IBP), Master Production Scheduling (MPS), and Material Requirements Planning (MRP).
• Analytical skills for balancing production demand, labor, and capacity.

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Working knowledge of OSHA standards, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and confined space entry procedures.
• Familiarity with environmental regulations related to wastewater, energy management, and waste disposal.
• Skilled in leading Job Safety Analyses (JSA) and risk mitigation programs.

Financial & Operational Acumen

• Ability to manage plant budgets, capital projects, and cost-control initiatives.
• Understanding of key cost drivers such as labor, energy, and materials.
• Proficiency in data visualization and KPI tracking for financial alignment.

Workforce Development and Training Systems

• Experience implementing competency-based training programs and on-the-job learning systems.
• Ability to use digital training tools (Enable Now, WalkMe, LMS platforms).
• Skilled in aligning technical skill development with SFS pillars—particularly Training, Communication, and Continuous Improvement.

Emerging Technologies

• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing tools such as IoT sensors and predictive analytics.
• Awareness of sustainability practices and energy optimization strategies in manufacturing environments.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, or related field (preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in food or dairy manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, SQF, HACCP, and other regulatory standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage change.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (SAP experience preferred).
• Proven track record in performance improvement, budget management, and employee development.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to temperature variation, noise, and physical activity.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be available for extended hours or weekend work as needed to support operations.

Pay: $150k-$185k a year*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays. 

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.