Plant Manager - Proliant Dairy Ingredients - St. Johns, MI

Proliant Dairy Ingredients is committed to providing the best dairy ingredient options for enhancing the value and effectiveness of our partners’ products. We value quality in all we do; it is who we are. To that end, the purpose of this position is to facilitate and coordinate effective and efficient plant operations as well as the development of high-quality supervisors and plant operators, within a committed team environment. The Plant Manager is responsible for consistently modeling, promoting, enforcing, and maintaining a safe work environment and consistently striving to produce high quality products that meet or exceed customer expectations.

• Align plant leadership and employees around company goals and operational objectives, ensuring effective communication, clear priorities, and coordinated execution across all departments to drive overall plant performance.
• Ensure effective communication across all shifts and departments by establishing clear information-sharing processes and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Develop and lead an aligned, supportive plant leadership team by setting consistent leadership expectations and promoting a unified approach to decision-making and operational execution.
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with company values and hold leaders and employees accountable for upholding those standards in all aspects of plant operations.
• Collaborate with leaders at other plant locations to share best practices, exchange learnings, and identify opportunities to improve operational performance across all plants.
• Monitor and take necessary action to ensure safe work conditions exist and safety rules and guidelines are followed and/or enforced.
• Develop and maintain process/procedures to ensure a comprehensive training program for supervisors and team members.
• Continue to develop knowledge in dairy/drying processes and techniques.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying plant issues, implementing corrective actions, and enhancing overall operational performance.
• Create and implement annual tactical plans and regularly exchange pertinent information with employees regarding daily and long-term operations and goals.
• Develop plant budget and equipment/machinery repairs or purchases, and facility improvement/addition in conjunction with Vice President of Operations.
• Monitor plant expenses and create corrective actions to meet budget goals.
• Identify capital expenses that support the plant in maintaining planned run time.
• Schedule incoming permeate loads based on supplier communication to PDI and receiving schedule accordingly.
• Effectively communicate with our permeate suppliers on the specifications of the incoming permeate supply.
• Oversee the ordering and coordinate the flow production supplies into the plant to maintain constant production flow. (Finished bag, pallets, slip sheets, etc)
• Trouble shoot production issues.
• Develop bench strength through training and succession planning efforts.
• Motivate supervisors and employees to achieve continuous process and personal improvement by providing strong leadership and also striving for personal growth.
• Direct meetings with plant employees as needed and attend regular managers’ meetings.
• Maintain a safe working environment, both internally and with outside agencies (USDA, FDA, AIB, etc.), as well as attending all safety meetings and providing plant inspections and tours.
• Coordinate with the Maintenance Supervisor to ensure reliable equipment and smooth facility operations.
• Oversee the labor and production scheduling of the facility.
• Work with the Quality and Customer Service departments to make determinations on disposition of product based on product and customer specifications.

• Lead all aspects of people management, from hiring and development to performance, recognition, and employee relations.
• Serve as back-up SQF Practitioner and back-up PCQI.

• Must live within 30 minutes of the plant.
• Specific knowledge and first-hand experience with industrial production processes in an edible food processing plant.
• Ability to monitor the production processes, make necessary adjustments in scheduling and/or improve production methods/techniques to achieve company goals.
• Knowledge and ability to implement and ensure adherence to all safety techniques and procedures related to plant operations.
• Knowledge and ability to analyze, forecast, and plan production objectives.
• Ability to hire, train and evaluate personnel ensuring a competent work force to meet production objectives in a cost-effective manner. This will include goal setting and measurement of performance.
• Ability to develop and implement standard policies and procedures to maintain consistent daily plant operations, including S.O.P’s.
• Ability to effectively interact and manage plant personnel.
• Ability to effectively communicate with corporate office management, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and other business-related contacts.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality related to all duties and responsibilities, such as production goals and personnel information.
• Ability to perform basic and complex mathematical calculations.
• Knowledge of organizational methods and the ability to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously.
• Ability to remain calm and professional.
• Ability to work daily and extended hours as necessary.
• Ability to assist with special or ongoing projects as instructed by the PDI leadership team.
• Knowledge in statistical process control preferred.
• Formal knowledge in Continuous Improvement/Lean Manufacturing preferred.
• Strong leadership ability in creating a team environment.

• A choice of three quality affordable healthcare coverage options
• Vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• Health savings account with employer contribution/flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays