Manager, Plant Operations

Manager, Plant Operations

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.

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

We're seeking a Manager, Plant Operations to lead our high-speed packaging facility in Fond du Lac with a people-first and continuous improvement mindset. This role will focus on building strong relationships, fostering a positive and inclusive culture, and developing associates to reach their full potential. The ideal candidate will inspire a culture of safety, quality, collaboration, and accountability, while driving measurable improvements in performance, cost, and efficiency. With a passion for process excellence and continuous improvement, the Manager, Plant Operations will lead by example, empowering teams, promoting innovation, and aligning daily operations with our mission, values, and long-term success.

What you need to be considered for the role :

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Leadership, Industrial Tech, or other related field required. An equivalent level of experience may be considered.
• Eight (8) or more years related experience in high-level Operations Leadership / Management related positions, preferably in the food manufacturing industry, required.
• Knowledge and experience of lean principles and process optimization.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local food and water regulations, including CFR, FSMA, the PMO, and Bioterrorism Act.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership & team building skills.
• Ability to work with people at all levels and across all functions.
• Strong decision making, organizational, and reasoning skills.
• Additional Strengths : Intermediate computer proficiency, a strategic and business-savvy mindset, the ability to delegate effectively, and above all, vision and passion for people and performance.

Preferred :

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.