California Dairies, Inc. is the leading dairy processing cooperative in California. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we operate several processing facilities located throughout California. CDI employees are highly valued and are provided with competitive benefits packages and career growth plans.

We offer a generous total rewards package that includes: 

• Salary Range $84,154 - $123,426
• Family medical/dental/vision
• Generous company contributions to 401k
• Relocation Assistance
• 10 Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement

Summary

Oversee the daily operation of the plant and drive sustainable improvement to plant operations. Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. “Food Safety, and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position. In the absence of a Production Superintendent, responsibilities will be covered by a Production Supervisor or the Assistant Plant Manager.

Essential Functions

• Review daily inventories and plan out daily evaporator, dryer, AMF and/or butter run times.
• Direct daily supervisor duties.
• Attend daily staff meetings with Plant Manager to coordinate daily production activities.
• Review Milk Moovement daily and update Milk Projections, if required.
• Review daily production efficiencies and production reports.
• Monitor wastewater and ensure all effluent being discharged to the city is in compliance.
• Ensure daily inspections are completed.
• Ensure production and packaging meets specification.
• Ensure root cause analysis is completed as required and preventative action is implemented.
• Must be available to be contacted during off hours if needed.
• Enforce all safety rules and regulations to provide a safe working environment for all employees.
• Review microbiology test results daily and investigate high counts and report findings to Plant Manager.
• Review incoming ingredient load data and double check that all loads are within specifications.
• Review list of any out of spec product with Plant Manager and Quality Assurance Manager.
• Review all powder or butter COA’s.
• Check each department throughout shift.
• Check employee GMP's.
• Review daily report of audits.
• Review CIP records daily.
• Ensure schedule is accurate and finished goods are reported in the Inventory Management System.
• Inspect each department daily for sanitation issues.
• Ensure Master Sanitation Schedules are completed.
• Audit sampling techniques and sanitation practices.
• Provide training and evaluations as needed.
• Complete interviews and manage staffing needs for the Production team. 
• Verify that all plant equipment is in good working condition and all preventative maintenance is being performed on a scheduled basis.
• Forward all work orders to Plant Manager for approval.
• Follow all safety and working rules.
• Must have the ability to get along with co-workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment.
• Maintain a positive attitude and contribute towards a quality environment.
• Excellent regular full time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies, Inc. best interests.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has management and employee supervisory responsibilities in the area of discipline, hiring, and firing.
• Responsible for supervising, training/developing, and coaching supervisors.
• Oversee Production Supervisors to monitor progress with Employee Performance Evaluations, On the Job Training Forms, Incident Reports, and any other documentation.
• Coordinate on the job training.
• Oversee adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Oversee scheduling of Production Supervisors, employees, and temporary labor.
• Have the responsibility of reviewing timesheets, overtime, and approve payroll.
• Must maintain excellent communication, both verbal and written with management.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must have the ability to troubleshoot problems and be persistent until a solution is found.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process is unclear.
• Must possess or be able to obtain California State Pasteurizers License and California State Sampler’s and Weigher’s License.

Education and/or Experience

• BS degree in Dairy or Food Science or other related field and four years of experience in a leadership role; or an equivalent combination of education and experience are required.
• College level verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate with upper management on a daily basis.
• Leadership, team development, coaching, and teaching experience.
• Good math and statistical skills.
• Excellent computer skills for data input, report writing, program tracking.
• Excellent organizational and follow-through skills.
• Must be able to operate equipment efficiently.

Language Skills

A well-modulated tonal volume is required with excellent diction skills needed.

Reasoning Ability

Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form. Must have the ability to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess or be able to obtain California State Pasteurizer’s License and California State Sampler’s and Weigher’s License.

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands and walks throughout shift. Walks on uneven concrete and tiles surfaces.

Lifting/Carrying: Lifts up to 80 pounds on an occasional basis. Two or more employees complete lifts of greater than 80 pounds.

Pushing/Pulling: Some pushing or pulling could be involved when assisting operators.

Bending/Stooping: Stoops throughout the workday, for varying lengths of time.

Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: May assume any combination of these positions during clean-up duties, including kneeling on the floor and crawling under equipment.

Twisting/Turning: May assume any combination of these positions during clean-up duties.

Climbing/Balancing: Involved in the inspection of processing equipment, which could involve climbing over 100 steps to the top of the dryers or evaporators.

Reaching: Reaches at or above shoulder level at various times during the shift when making adjustments on the control panel or making pipe fitting connections or washing milk silos. May have to reach during clean-up assignments or to climb vertical ladder.

Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. Ability to keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.

Equipment

Opens up equipment for inspections following all lock out / tag out procedures.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship to the company if such accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Employee will be subject to temperatures associated with an air-cooled room. Employee will be subject to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees while working in proximity to dryers. Employee may be required to enter confined spaces to perform equipment inspections. Employee may come into contact with the following: ammonia, acids, caustics, chlorines, and other related chemicals. Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to: hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and eye protection must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be employed all times.

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.