Open Gates Group
Open Gates Group, based near Kalona, IA, is a family of companies dedicated to the growth and manufacturing of local dairy products. What began as a single creamery has grown into 11 businesses that source, produce, and deliver high-quality Midwestern products to over 3,500 stores nationwide. Our organic milk is uniquely special because it comes from grass-fed cows on small family farms, pasteurized at the lowest legal temperature, non-homogenized, and verified regenerative through Land to Market- which means that our cows are grazed in a way that enhances the environment, rather than harming it. We're looking for a hands-on
Production Manager
to lead our dairy production operations.
Position Summary
The
Production Manager
is a highly hands-on role focused on ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality dairy production processes, while fostering a strong team culture that emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, and food safety. We're looking for someone who is process-driven and thrives in a production environment-someone who doesn't just want to lead from a distance but is actively involved on the floor, where the work is happening.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and coach a team of supervisors and production staff, fostering accountability, teamwork, and engagement. Conduct regular coaching discussions and provide professional development opportunities. Develop staffing schedules, oversee training, and ensure employees understand roles, responsibilities, and company policies. Production Oversight
Position Summary
The
Production Manager
is a highly hands-on role focused on ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality dairy production processes, while fostering a strong team culture that emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, and food safety. We're looking for someone who is process-driven and thrives in a production environment-someone who doesn't just want to lead from a distance but is actively involved on the floor, where the work is happening.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and coach a team of supervisors and production staff, fostering accountability and teamwork. Conduct regular coaching discussions and provide professional development opportunities. Develop staffing schedules, oversee training, and ensure employees understand roles, responsibilities, and company policies. Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily production activities to meet goals for safety, quality, and efficiency. Support the launch of new products by coordinating cross-functional teams and overseeing batching and processing activities. Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, SSOPs, OSHA, FDA, USDA, and organic certification requirements. Food Safety & Quality
Support a culture of food safety and quality across all operations. Ensure compliance with food safety and quality management systems, including HACCP and SQF. Review incidents of non-compliance, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions. Continuous Improvement & Metrics
Monitor metrics related to production efficiency, safety, and quality. Analyze production data to identify trends and drive improvements. Lead and support change initiatives, introducing new processes or technologies to enhance plant performance. Promote a culture of continuous improvement. Collaboration & Communication
Partner with cross-functional teams, including Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, and HR, to drive alignment and ensure operational success. Lead regular team meetings on production safety, performance, and process updates. Clearly communicate production goals, customer requirements, and expectations to all teams. Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily production activities to meet goals for safety, quality, and efficiency. Support the launch of new products by coordinating cross-functional teams and overseeing batching and processing activities. Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, SSOPs, OSHA, FDA, USDA, and organic certification requirements. Skills & Experience Bachelor's degree in Food/Dairy Science, Agriculture, Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred; candidates with a high school diploma/GED and 5+ years of proven production leadership will also be considered. 5+ years of leadership experience in a dairy plant or fluid food processing facility preferred. Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and manufacturing compliance (GMP, HACCP, OSHA, FDA, USDA). Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve production goals and business objectives. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage conflict professionally. Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills; able to adapt and lead through change.
Production Manager
to lead our dairy production operations.
Position Summary
The
Production Manager
is a highly hands-on role focused on ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality dairy production processes, while fostering a strong team culture that emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, and food safety. We're looking for someone who is process-driven and thrives in a production environment-someone who doesn't just want to lead from a distance but is actively involved on the floor, where the work is happening.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and coach a team of supervisors and production staff, fostering accountability, teamwork, and engagement. Conduct regular coaching discussions and provide professional development opportunities. Develop staffing schedules, oversee training, and ensure employees understand roles, responsibilities, and company policies. Production Oversight
Position Summary
The
Production Manager
is a highly hands-on role focused on ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality dairy production processes, while fostering a strong team culture that emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, and food safety. We're looking for someone who is process-driven and thrives in a production environment-someone who doesn't just want to lead from a distance but is actively involved on the floor, where the work is happening.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and coach a team of supervisors and production staff, fostering accountability and teamwork. Conduct regular coaching discussions and provide professional development opportunities. Develop staffing schedules, oversee training, and ensure employees understand roles, responsibilities, and company policies. Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily production activities to meet goals for safety, quality, and efficiency. Support the launch of new products by coordinating cross-functional teams and overseeing batching and processing activities. Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, SSOPs, OSHA, FDA, USDA, and organic certification requirements. Food Safety & Quality
Support a culture of food safety and quality across all operations. Ensure compliance with food safety and quality management systems, including HACCP and SQF. Review incidents of non-compliance, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions. Continuous Improvement & Metrics
Monitor metrics related to production efficiency, safety, and quality. Analyze production data to identify trends and drive improvements. Lead and support change initiatives, introducing new processes or technologies to enhance plant performance. Promote a culture of continuous improvement. Collaboration & Communication
Partner with cross-functional teams, including Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, and HR, to drive alignment and ensure operational success. Lead regular team meetings on production safety, performance, and process updates. Clearly communicate production goals, customer requirements, and expectations to all teams. Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily production activities to meet goals for safety, quality, and efficiency. Support the launch of new products by coordinating cross-functional teams and overseeing batching and processing activities. Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, SSOPs, OSHA, FDA, USDA, and organic certification requirements. Skills & Experience Bachelor's degree in Food/Dairy Science, Agriculture, Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred; candidates with a high school diploma/GED and 5+ years of proven production leadership will also be considered. 5+ years of leadership experience in a dairy plant or fluid food processing facility preferred. Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and manufacturing compliance (GMP, HACCP, OSHA, FDA, USDA). Proven ability to lead and manage teams to achieve production goals and business objectives. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage conflict professionally. Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills; able to adapt and lead through change.