BENEFITS:

• Excellent benefits package available: Attractive salary, bonus program, 401K, deferred compensation, medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, FSA, vacation, PTO, and holiday pay.
• Subject to applicable eligibility and waiting periods.
• Relocation package available.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The VP of Operations is a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and is guided by our Strategic Plan's objectives. The position is responsible for all aspects of production operations, engineering, EHS, milk, and finished product logistics. They oversee the development of operational and capital budgets to manufacture dairy products to world-class standards. The role collaborates closely with our Commercial and Research & Development teams to ensure that the Operations function continuously meets and exceeds the needs of our customers and the marketplace. The role drives the relentless pursuit of continuous improvement in safety, quality, and operational excellence. The person will provide leadership, act as a coach, and be a mentor and a facilitator. They have extensive knowledge of production processes, people development, efficiency and resilience building, and the application of new and innovative technology and production processes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to direct reports (5): Director of Operations, Director of Quality Assurance & Food Safety, Director of Engineering, Director of Supply Chain and Director of Growth Projects.
• Work with ELT colleagues to develop and implement long-term strategic plans.
• Foster and promote a culture of safety always by leading and developing processes to systematically identify and eliminate risks to our people.
• Relentlessly focus on right first-time quality and support the infrastructure that underpins the pursuit of perfect food safety standards.
• Serve the Commercial function by ensuring Operations meet and exceed the needs of our customers.
• Develop operational budgets to execute strategic goals, meet commercial needs, and deliver operational performance to achieve financial objectives.
• Lead the development and execution of capital planning to maximize the use of available resources to underpin plant resilience.
• Drive the pursuit of operational excellence through the constant development of automation and other operational technologies to achieve cost-effective, one-right-way efficient operations that consistently meet production targets and objectives.
• Promote a learning organization that constantly strives to deepen the understanding of processes and equipment at all levels of the organization.
• Create and continuously improve the learning and development platforms that support the pursuit of resilient excellence.
• Manage the efficiency and integrity of our supply chain, including service to our owner dairy farms and the safe and efficient collection of milk and secure, quality-focused, cost-efficient storage of our powder products.
• Lead the development of capital projects to support strategic growth plans and oversee successful on-time, on-budget completion of projects.
• Manage relationships with municipal partners without compromising our conviction to be a source of good in our community.
• Act as a role model of trust, transparency, and integrity internally and externally.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Dairy Operations, Food Science or Engineering.
• Master’s degree in relevant discipline and/or MBA an advantage.
• Relevant additional certifications or continuous education pursuits.

Skills and Experience:

• High energy, exceptional leader, and developer of people.
• At least 15 years in leadership roles in food manufacturing, ideally in the dairy industry.
• Experience in dairy manufacturing, including membrane separation and spray drying.
• Advanced knowledge of milk fractionation, components, and protein powders.
• Proven track record of success managing large and diverse teams.
• Expertise in continuous improvement theories and experience in their successful application.
• Experience managing significant capital programs and projects.
• Service on boards or committees of industry representative organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively interact with individuals and organizations.
• High degree of technical competence with manufacturing and business software applications.

To apply for this position please visit our website using this link: Join Our Team!