Job Description

ABOUT US:

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer-owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. MMPA maintains a strong presence within the dairy industry with strategic business relationships through a variety of channels like processing shelf-stable, value-added dairy products. MMPA has four member-owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company. Products made at MMPA\xe2\x80\x99s plants include fluid milk, sour cream, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, and condensed skim milk.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accountable for directing the plant production activities and leading the production team to produce and ship quality products to meet business and customer requirements.
• Responsible for entire plant operations in the absence of the Plant Manager. Sets strategic direction and implementation of Operational Safety, Quality, HR, and Preventative Maintenance systems for the plant in alignment with the Plant Manager.
• Controls and effectively utilizes the production capacity, workforce, equipment, and outside Dispatch resources through planning, organizing, and scheduling to minimize losses, while maintaining high levels of compliance with legal and Cooperative requirements
• Works within the framework of the budget to optimize producer profitability. Interprets policy and decides the best course of action in problems of quality, scheduling, and allocation of employee resources to maintain efficient operations.
• Mentors\xe2\x80\x99 direct management employees. Participates in Cooperative planning through budget preparation, capital expenditure recommendation, workforce, and space forecasting.
• Strategic partner in labor relations issues such as grievances, contract negotiations, etc.
• Candidate must have experience working in a union environment.
• Provides leadership, development, and support to team members under the guidance of the Michigan Milk Producers Association Management and Leadership Principles.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in engineering, Food Science, Business, or related field required.
• 5-7 years of experience managing in a plant environment.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience with thermal processing is a plus.
• Food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing experience preferred.
• 1-3 years of union environment experience, collective barging agreement administration.
• Communication and presentation to all levels of the organization.
• A proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Operational/plant management experience is considered a plus.
• Excellent analytical problem-solving and trouble-shooting abilities.
• Equipment knowledge (HVAC, refrigeration, steam, pasteurization, filling, material handling & warehousing systems).
• Contract negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with regulatory agencies.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent planning/organization skills.
• Ability to work with deadlines/schedules.
• Self-starter; requires minimum supervision.
• Candidate must be able proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, and AutoCAD Lt.
• Most of the time is spent in the production environment with some typical office environment.
• Must have a valid Driver\xe2\x80\x99s license.

Preferred:

• Experience with spray drying, milk processing, butter and powder manufacturing, and FDA, MDARD, and USDA requirements.
• Experience with MMPA systems and personnel.
• Experience supervising in a unionized environment.

Safety and Environmental:

• Follow factory safety/environmental objectives & targets.
• Follow the plant safety rules, and report incidents & unsafe conditions immediately.
• Maintain compliance with regulations and refer to the Safety & Environmental Management System(s) on all related procedures and programs.

Quality:

• Demonstrates total commitment to the manufacture of safe and compliant products.
• Participates as a change control member to manage corrective actions in the production area.
• Directs the troubleshooting of operational deviations.
• Participates in periodic audits of sanitation, and general GMPs and manages corrective actions.

Production/Operations:

• Participates in setting the production standards with the Finance & Production teams.
• Reviews the attained efficiencies/performances and yields on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and manages corrective actions for improvements.
• Leads and participates in operational review meetings.
• Facilitates Root Cause Analysis Exercises, including cost savings projects, communications, and culture change.
• Reviews and directs the operational Forms and SOPs

Schedule:

• Understands and provides input into the production master planning for the site.
• Reviews the short-term and long-term production schedules as set by Logistics, Dispatch, and the Plant to optimize productivity and schedule attainment.
• Participates in the weekly and daily production scheduling meetings.

Personnel:

• Leads and directs the plant operations leadership to support the effective execution of 365/24-7 operations to meet cost, quality, and fulfillment goals.
• Develops talent and coaches team to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Sets goals for the department. Conducts performance appraisals.
• Labor/Union: Coaches the Team Advisors on difficult union issues. Participates in union management meetings and contract negotiations.
• Hiring: Participates in the hiring of related new employees
• Leads efforts to coach, train, and develop department members.

Future Planning:

• Reviews proposals for upcoming projects in the production areas.
• Works with Operations Performance to conduct annual capacity studies as well as project-related studies.

Throughout these responsibilities, maintains a focus on continuous improvement.

Behavioral Attributes:

• Diligence - accomplishing tasks through concern for all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; maintaining watchfulness over a period of time.
• Communication - presents ideas effectively, actively listens, and works across functional boundaries.
• Energy - Maintaining a high activity level. Some jobs require employees to maintain the required activity level for an extended period; sustain concentration; or to pace the work throughout the work period.
• Technical/Professional Knowledge - having an understanding and ability to use technical/professional information, keeping up on developments and trends in one\xe2\x80\x99s field.
• Teamwork/ Cooperation - effectively working within and outside the formal line of authority. Able to act in several roles depending upon the situation -facilitator, leader, executor, etc.
• Culture - Able and willing to live by " Grooves" philosophy (" I Can Make a Difference" culture), and Operations\' Cobweb mentality.
• Initiative - Assert influence over events to achieve goals; self-starting rather than accepting passively; take action to achieve goals beyond what is required.
• Tolerance for Stress - Able to maintain stable performance under pressure or ambiguity; able to work against tight timelines.
• Customer Delight Orientation - Tries to listen and understand internal and external customers, and to anticipate needs and exceed expectations.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities required by the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

1st shift

PI228211387

Michigan Milk Producers Assoc