Manufacturing Leadership Development Trainee

Within our Allendale, MI manufacturing facility - Leprino Foods is seeking Manufacturing Leadership Development Trainees to participate in our roughly 12-month intensive program where you will learn the ins-and-outs of modern manufacturing, people leadership, and an in depth understanding of Leprino's cheese and nutrition production operations.

Upon successful completion of the program, your first role in management will be as a Production Supervisor in one of our nine manufacturing plants across the country. The ultimate intent of this program is to grow individuals beyond the supervisor level and into future leaders within Leprino's production operations!

Starting Salary:

All trainees will start at a base salary of $75,000, with an initial relocation assistance package (lump-sum) of $6,000. Upon graduation of the program, Leprino offers a full relocation assistance package! This position as an annual target bonus of 5% of annual earnings.

Trainee Responsibilities:

• Learn and demonstrate technical/functional competence in manufacturing and quality processes. Develop and apply safety and people leadership skills.
• Use learned knowledge to help supervise team operations and make recommendations for labor and manufacturing efficiencies, cost savings, and quality improvements.
• Assist with team leadership by supporting and implementing programs in operator training, safety, communications, performance recognition, and internal employee development to ensure peak employee efficiency.
• Help supervisor daily shift operations to deliver on manufacturing standards and quality parameters to achieve targeted production volumes for area of responsibility.
• Build and cultivate strong working relationships, collaboration within the team and with team members, and a positive work environment.
• Prepare and deliver pre-shift meetings and post-shift pass down communications.
• Be actively involved in the plant's quality execution program to achieve quality goals.
• Maintain high efficiency and cost efficiency through accurate scheduling of production and processing operations, maintenance, and workforce.
• Integrate Leprino Quality into all aspects of the program as evidenced by demonstrating continuous improvement, teamwork with co-workers, distinguished customer service, and striving for perfection.
• Major challenges of this position are to coordinate manufacturing process vital to manufacture consistent high-quality products to meet customer demands, assist leading employees, and recognize opportunities to improve cheese or nutrition quality and cost.
• Be humble, inquisitive, patient, collaborative, innovative, results-oriented, and resilient - the DNA of a Leprino employee.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications)

• A Bachelor of Science degree in an industrial manufacturing oriented STEM field or agricultural science/business field.
• Geographic flexibility and a willingness to relocate for future assignments upon graduation of the program.
• The authorization to work for ANY employer in the US without sponsorship now, or in the future.
• The ability to spend 12-months in one of our three training hubs (Greeley, CO; Grand Rapids, MI; or Lemoore, CA) before supervisor placement assignment is selected.
• A passion to work in the modern manufacturing world.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications)

• A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Industrial, Chemical, Manufacturing, or Mechanical), Dairy Science/Manufacturing, or Food Processing.
• Previous internship or co-op experience within a manufacturing environment.

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual’s unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

Offering You In Return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino’s history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?

While we review LinkedIn Easy Apply submissions and may reach out for an initial conversation, they are considered an inquiry rather than an official application. To be formally considered for this position, please apply directly at careers.leprino.com.