Plant Manager

Why you will love working at Maola: Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead-investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future.Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products.We prioritize your well-being with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, Life Insurance, paid time off, and more-available within your first month.Our employees are an integral part of who we are - what you do and what you think matters.SUMMARY: The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily operations of a fluid dairy manufacturing facility, including in-house bottle production. This role ensures efficient production, compliance with safety and quality standards, team development, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food or beverage manufacturing, experience with blow mold operations, and a commitment to operational excellence.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.Lead and manage all aspects of plant operations including milk processing, filling, packaging, bottle manufacturing (blow mold), maintenance, sanitation, warehousing, and shipping.Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations including FDA, USDA, OSHA, and environmental standards.Drive performance in safety, quality, cost, service, and people development.Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Procurement, and HR to achieve business goals.Oversee scheduling and production planning to meet customer demand while optimizing labor and material usage.Monitor and manage the plant budget, operating costs, and capital projects.Develop and implement continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma practices.Maintain accountability for high product quality and food safety standards.Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and employee engagement.Directly manage and develop department managers and supervisors; ensure all staff are properly trained and supported.BASIC REQUIREMENT:Bachelor's degree in engineering, Food Science, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent work experience considered.Minimum 5-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience, beverage, or food industry; dairy experience is highly preferred.3-5 years of union experience in a manufacturing environment is highly preferred.Experience managing operations in a plant with in-house blow molding/bottle manufacturing is highly preferred.Strong knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, or other food safety programs.Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and delivering measurable results.Proficient in data analysis, production systems, and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with ERP systems preferred.COMPETENCIES:CommunicationCommunicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels - oral, written, visual, and non-verbal - ensuring our messages are understood and delivered appropriately, whether in-person or digitally.AccountabilityTake responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise.Solve problems both within and outside of departments, proactively addressing issues as they occur.Customer FocusedPrioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs.Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer requirements and striving for exceptional service.InitiativeProactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats.Act independently and decisively, rather than waiting for situations to demand action.Problem-SolvingPossess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance.Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical, effective solutions.CollaborationTake responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that collective goals are met.Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal, recognizing and valuing each person's contributions, is fundamental to successful collaboration.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to reach, bend, extend, and lift 50-60 pounds.WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The work environment may require working in the cooler room with varying degrees of temperature and may include contact with water or dairy liquids.Exposed to a noise level of 90 decibels. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate/high. Wet/slippery work conditions.Maola Local Dairies is a farmer-owned cooperative sustainably producing a full suite of nutritious dairy products. Maola processes milk, cream, butter, and dry milk powders through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality, freshness, and love for the environment, Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola, please visit qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities 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.