"Valley Queen is a privately owned dairy manufacturer located in Milbank, South Dakota. Founded in 1929, Valley Queen has established itself as a leading producer of high-quality cheese and dairy ingredients, serving customers across the United States and around the world.

Valley Queen processes nearly 3 billion pounds of milk each year, producing a diverse portfolio of products that includes natural cheeses, whey protein concentrate, lactose, and anhydrous milk fat.

At Valley Queen, we are dedicated to excellence, continuous improvement, and conducting our operations ethically. Our success is built on strong relationships with our employees, dairy producers, and the communities we serve. We take pride in offering meaningful career opportunities and aim to be the premier privately owned dairy manufacturer in the United States."

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary
The Director provides strategic direction and organizational leadership for their area of responsibility which includes the Cheese Department, the Whey Department and all related Production Scheduling, serving as the critical bridge between executive strategy and operational execution. This role is accountable for translating Valley Queen priorities into clear departmental direction, executing strategic priorities, financial accountability and developing leadership capability at the Manager, Supervisor and Lead levels. The Director ensures that people practices, systems, and performance expectations are in place so that execution occurs effectively and consistently throughout their organization and supports the company’s growth, profitability, and long-term success.

Essential Functions

Competencies

1. Leadership/Confidence
2. Business Acumen
3. Communication Proficiency
4. Problem Solving/Analysis
5. Technical Capacity

Supervisory Responsibility
This position manages subordinate managers and supervisors who supervise employees and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of their applicable departments.

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment and technology.

Physical Demands
The physical demands for this position are mainly able to do sedentary work. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently will need to sit, stand, walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Travel
This position will require traveling.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience in the applicable area of responsibility. A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience, including at least five (5) years in a leadership role, is required. Demonstrated success leading teams, developing strategy, managing business performance, and delivering results through others is essential.

Preferred Education and Experience
Experience in dairy processing and familiar with standard industry concepts, practices and procedures. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
None required for this position.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.