Production Manager

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive-whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we're proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, President specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi's, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values-Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis Heritage Dairy, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Production Manager based in Tulare, California.

The Production Manager is responsible for the overall management and direction of the department processes. Ensures manufacturing performance, volume and quality goals are met by utilizing efficient methods, along with maintaining appropriate staffing and labor cost levels. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: achieving project/department goals within budget; coordinating manufacturing with other departments (Marketing, R&D, etc.) as well as with vendors; oversees the interviewing and hiring of employees to include appraising performance, rewarding and coaching employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

From your EXPERTISE to our

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Analyzes manufacturing data and identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement; identifies and utilizes methods to assure manufacturing processes are more efficient and effective (reducing waste, reducing labor cost, etc).
• Directs adjustments of the manufacturing processes to maintain conformance with standards, specifications and customer requirements.
• Ensures compliance with workplace and government-mandated standards (FDA, USDA, OSHA, etc.)
• Responsible for maintaining all GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and all regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for preparing a variety of manufacturing reports and presenting to top management, including corrective actions or adjustments as required.
• Responsible for the overall safety of personnel through continual inspection of the department and processes, making necessary changes to ensure efficiency is not compromised by safety and health concerns.
• Confers with the Production Manager and other Department Managers to coordinate departmental activities.
• Will be required to explain variances in labor costs and productivity.
• Ensures adherence to GMP, GSP, FSSC practices, and QC policies and procedures, and proper maintenance of equipment.
• Responsible for the overall department budget and Cap Ex process; to include collection, preparation and presentation of data to top management.
• Cooperates with other management in establishing and communicating company policies, operating procedures and goals.
• Ensures quality assurance programs prevent or eliminate defects in new or existing products.
• Ensures successful completion of department specific initiatives (e.g. capital projects).
• Ensures effective employee relations by supporting and maintaining a safe and positive work environment. Analyzes and assists in resolving work and/or employee issues through problem resolution.
• Manage, train and develop team members through mentoring, coaching and coordination of individual development plans. Provide performance feedback on an ongoing basis. Partner with HR on employee relations issues.
• Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education & Experience

• Degree in Business or related field preferred.
• 5+ years' experience in manufacturing industry required; dairy industry preferred.
• 5+ year's experience leading direct reporting team members is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong Material cost control analysis (yields/ mass balance) knowledge.
• Strong understanding of budget management and Capex process.
• Proficient with standard office computer technology such as Microsoft Office products and especially Excel.
• Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work in a team environment
• Self-starter with proven ability to organize and follow through multiple complex tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical ability of inventory, production, and statistical analysis.
• Effective and proficient communicator, written and verbal
• Business acumen to include problem solving and analysis
• Able to manage time through efficient planning and organizing of daily production to include delegation of duties.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.