Superior Dairy is seeking an experienced Assistant Plant Manager to help lead and oversee daily operations in our 24/7 dairy manufacturing facility. This role supports all plant departments, ensuring production runs efficiently, safely, and consistently to meet customer demands.

Superior Dairy, founded in 1922, is best known for producing high quality dairy products, including fluid milk products, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream and chip dip. Superior Dairy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA). Together we run a multi-state dairy manufacturing and innovation campus with four facilities across the Great Lakes region.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), established in 1916, is a dairy farmer-owned and operated milk marketing cooperative and dairy processor. As the 10th largest dairy cooperative in the U.S., we proudly serve dairy farmers across Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana. With a workforce of around 625 employees spread across four states, MMPA is deeply rooted in the dairy industry. We operate multiple facilities, including the Middlebury Cheese Company in Indiana, Superior Dairy in Ohio, and two SQF Level 3 dairy ingredient plants in Michigan. Our product lineup includes fluid milk, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, and condensed skim milk.

Why You’ll Love Working Here: At Superior Dairy, we believe in investing in our people and fostering an environment where you can grow both personally and professionally. Here are just a few reasons why you’ll enjoy working with us:

• Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive salary to attract the best talent.
• Health & Wellness Benefits: Comprehensive medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health services to support your well-being.
• Disability Insurance: Protection for you in case of illness or injury.
• Paid Time Off: Enjoy a generous PTO package to maintain a work-life balance.
• Retirement Benefits: Secure your future with 401k contributions from us.
• Growth Opportunities: We are committed to your personal and professional development.
• Employee Appreciation: We regularly host events to show our appreciation for your hard work and dedication.
• Wellness Initiatives: Participate in wellness programs designed to help you stay healthy and engaged.
• Employee Feedback: Your voice matters, and we offer forums for your suggestions and input.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and operate the plant based on established KPIs to ensure the plant is effectively managing the milk volumes to the plant capacities
• Create an environment to facilitate continuous improvements at the plant level.
• Effectively Measure and communicate the KPIs to management team and shop floor team members on plant performance. Create Budgets and profitability plans based on the KPIs established to operate the plant
• Leadership: Manage plant operations and team with strong in-plant presence to accomplish the company goals and objectives. The plant operates 7-days per week, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year which will require some weekend and holiday presence. Demonstrate strong shop floor employee engagement to develop a consistent message from supervision to shop floor as the plant works through continuous improvement, corrective actions or new business engagements.
• Training: Provide training to accomplish the company goals and objectives. This training is to include, but not limited to management team and shop floor team members.
• Assure sufficient strength at management and supervisory levels to provide an orderly transition as vacancies arise.
• Assure the standard operations of the plant and products manufactured meet or exceed the expectations of regulatory agencies and customers.
• Lead the safety efforts of the plant to achieve and maintain a zero lost time accident record.
• Maintain a superior quality record and ensure customer complaints are addressed within reason.
• This position needs to build and foster a relationship of open communication and trust between management and employees at all levels within the organization.
• Other responsibilities as assigned

What We’re Looking For:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; or five+ years related experience and/or training within a food manufacturing business preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of management experience with an engineering or technical background

Experience:

• Develop a strong understanding of the plant capabilities and flow
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Solid analytical skills
• Understanding of technical issues related to manufacturing
• Strong planning and organization
• Demonstrated initiative and desire to learn about the dairy industry
• Independent thinker
• Aptitude for gaining knowledge
• Ability to foster knowledge exchange within and with other departments
• Collaborative communication approach
• Requires a resourceful and direct management style, must ask questions and seek resolution
• Utilize sound judgment
• Ability to disseminate knowledge to other employees for the good of the coop
• Working knowledge of excel and word along with an ability to quickly pick up computer based logistics, sales, and inventory systems.

Managerial Competencies and Personal Skills/Attributes needed:

• Commitment: achieve our mission through the leadership
• Change Agent: Generates and open to new ideas
• Passion: Drive change with a positive attitude, leads change from the front
• Servant Leadership: Develop an authentic relationship, values different opinions, learns from team experiences, interact with all team members, and show empathy
• Problem Solver: Analytical and problem-solution oriented mindset
• Earn respect from employees

Why Join Us: At Superior Dairy, you’ll be joining a company with a strong legacy in the dairy industry, and a forward-thinking culture that values growth, wellness, and teamwork. We’re excited to welcome a passionate individual to our team who is eager to contribute to our success while growing their own career. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and work with a dynamic group of people, we want to hear from you!

Ready to join our team, Apply today!! We look forward to hearing from you!

We are a drug-free facility, and maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive work environment is a top priority. As part of our commitment to your well-being, all applicants will undergo a drug screening as part of the hiring process.

Superior Dairy is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workforce.

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

Superior Dairy 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.

Please Note: We are not accepting unsolicited resumes or inquiries from third-party recruiters at this time. Thank you for your understanding.