Manager, Production

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world. Our state-of-the-art Extended Shelf Life (ESL) and Aseptic Ultra High Temperature (UHT) dairy bottling facility, Valley Natural Beverages, produces premium beverages in various formats, and these shelf-stable products are shipped globally. We encourage you to be part of our team thats shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

Our commitment to CDI employees:

We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. Youll find we offer competitive pay and incentive programs designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, sick days & holidays, retirement plans designed to secure your future. We dont stop there. Weve also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth, ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work.

Job Summary

The Production Manager is a key member of the plant leadership team and is responsible to lead a "Best in Class" Plant Operations Team that is focused on Total Plant Operational Excellence and improving plant specific KPI's. As such, the production manager will be responsible to create an environment that promotes individual team member success, effective collaboration and establishes a culture that always believes in getting better.

Essential Functions

• Ensure effective planning, scheduling and execution of all production activities to allow for highest possible plant performance.
• Ensure regulatory compliance to all Federal, State, and Local requirements as pertaining to UHT, ESL, Low Acid Aseptic Fluid Milk Bottling plant.
• Ensure compliance to all customer co-packing requirements.
• Ensure compliance to all corporate and plant safety, quality and GMP requirements.
• Oversee development, implementation, training and long-term adherence to meet Plant Operation's Team owned KPI's in the following areas:
• Team Member Safety
• Food Safety & Product Quality
• Team Member Job Satisfaction and individual Team Member Development
• Daily Team Direction Setting Meetings
• OEE, Schedule Adherence and Operational Controlled Uptime
• Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action
• CIL and Master Sanitation Schedules
• Center-lining and Defect Identification
• PM Compliance, CMMS Utilization and Autonomous Work requirements
• Waste, Variance Control and Manufacturing Cost per Unit.
• Actively support and promote a plant culture that believes in always getting better.
• Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality.
• Ensure effective collaboration and positive teamwork between all departments.
• Lead by example with integrity and a commitment to always do it right.
• Develop or implement production tracking or quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, or other operational reports to detect production problems. Identify and share new technologies, new equipment and new processes that will continue to enhance our place in the industry.
• Identify when your support is needed by members of your team or other plant teams (at all hours) and be present to give support when needed.
• Always represent CDI in a positive manner to vendors, contractors, team members, visitors, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Lead:

• Clearly communicate the companys vision & goals and how the teams work contributes to them.
• Set a positive example through their own work ethic, attitude, and commitment to quality.
• Develop and empower team members by delegating tasks effectively and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Guide:

• Provide clear instructions and expectations, along with the "why", for tasks and projects.
• Offer regular feedback and coaching to help team members improve their skills and performance.
• Foster a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, emphasizing that the team is stronger together.

Support:

• Recognize and celebrate team accomplishments and individual contributions.
• Advocate for the teams needs and concerns, up, down, and across the organization.
• Encourage and support the team to challenge the status quo, to identify and suggest process improvements, and to embrace innovation.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High level understanding of UHT, ESL and Aseptic processing of low acid products.
• Excellent understanding of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance
• Understanding and demonstratable ability to comply with Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Working knowledge of ERP, MES, WMS, QMS, and CMMS systems.
• History of successfully building and leading "Operational Excellence" activities.
• History developing new processes, implementing new processes and training team members on new processes.
• Demonstratable ability to effectively problem solve.
• Able to communicate effectively with all levels inside and outside of the organization.
• Excellent leadership skills and a desire to serve others.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience

• Minimum of 5 years combined experience working in supervisory and or managerial roles in an ESL and/or low acid aseptic bottling operation or equivalent preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in a Science or Engineering discipline is preferred - may substitute 5 years of work experience.

Language Skills

English is required as the written and spoken language.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Certificate of Completion from Better Process Controls School or equivalent (preferred).

Driving Requirements

Must possess or be able to acquire a state issued Driver's License.

Equipment

Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to: hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties will be required when working in our manufacturing sites.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This role is primarily working in an office setting; but on occasion will travel to manufacturing sites.

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements outlined here represent those necessary for successful performance of this positions core responsibilities. Upon request, the company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these fundamental job duties, provided such accommodations do not create an undue burden on the organization.

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: Each work day the office personnel spend about 75% of their time sitting at their desk while performing computer or manual accounting and other clerical duties. They walk short distances to retrieve and replace files, to photocopy or fax documents, and to interact with other office personnel.
• Lifting/Carrying: Each work day the office personnel rarely carry items weighing over 15 to 20 lbs. Most items would be files or documents weighing less than 10 lbs., and most would be carried short distances. They are directed to seed assistance for heavier items such as a full box of photocopy paper.
• Pushing/Pulling: Each work day the office personnel may occasionally push or pull files, stacks of documents, or boxes of documents, which may be in files or on shelves at any height. They are directed to seek assistance for anything heavy.
• Bending/Stooping: Each work day the office personnel frequently squat or kneel to retrieve and replace files and documents in file drawers or on lower shelves.
• Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: May assume any combination of these positions during clean-up duties, including kneeling on the floor and crawling under equipment. He/she may squat to use legs for leverage when using a large wrench to open product presses.
• Twisting/Turning: Each work day the office personnel extensively twist, turn and move their head, neck, shoulders, arms and hands at various angles performing heavy computer input, and comparing information from their computer monitor with paper documents. While standing or sitting at their workstation, they occasionally twist or turn to retrieve or replace something form an area beside their workstation.
• Climbing/Balancing: Each work day the office personnel may need to walk up and down stairs several times throughout a day.
• Reaching: Each work day the office personnel may reach overhead to retrieve or replace files or documents on high shelves.
• Grasping/Manipulating: Each work day the office personnel need full range of motion in both hands for heavy computer input and for using other office equipment including calculators, typewriter, and fax machines as well as for sorting through and organizing large stacks of documents.

Fraudulent Recruiting Scam Disclaimer

To all applicants: We take your safety and privacy seriously at California Dairies Inc. All job applicants are directed to apply only through the official career pages. Please be aware that our talent team will never ask for any form of payment, financial account details, or sensitive personal information such as social security numbers. If you receive any suspicious messages claiming to be from California Dairies Inc., please contact us at talent@californiadaires.com. U.S. residents can get more information from the FTC at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams.

The pay range is listed below and represents a good faith estimate upon hire. The final offer will depend on factors such as the candidates experience, skills, and qualifications.