Production Manager

Darigold is seeking an experienced and motivated Production Manager to join the leadership team at our Rainier Plant. The Production Manager should possess the desire and ability to dynamically contribute to the success of the facility. The primary purpose of the position is to direct and to be accountable for the activities of the plant's production departments including Receiving, Processing and Packaging while collaborating with Safety, Quality, Warehouse and Maintenance. The Production Manager reports to the Assistant Plant Manager. Ideal candidates will excel in a fast-paced environment, will consistently demonstrate initiative, will handle multiple rigorous projects and endeavors, will exhibit strong attention to detail and will be committed to producing high quality products.

Darigold is the fifth largest dairy cooperative in the United States based on milk volume and one of the largest privately held organizations headquartered in the state of Washington. Since 1918, our producers have taken pride in producing dairy products with unsurpassed quality. Today we are one of the nation's largest agricultural cooperatives, producing over 8.5 billion pounds of milk every year.

Through innovative technology and our efficient, flexible production capabilities, we deliver value-added products and customer-driven solutions. Darigold is now known throughout the world for bringing fresh, wholesome dairy products and ingredients from the Northwest to people all around the globe.

What You Will Do:

• The Production Manager will serve as a true strategic partner within the facility by:
• Providing leadership and guidance to all Production Department Supervisors; define and ensure that individual performance of subordinates meets or exceeds goals and expectations.
• Ensuring effective communication and status reports are maintained with the entire management team.
• Ensuring superior levels and delivery of safety, reliability, sanitation, quality and regulatory conformance in all arenas.
• Sponsoring continuous improvement initiatives and providing momentum to ensure successful completion.
• This function has a direct impact on the fiscal stability of the business and productivity of the business unit.
• Prepare and conduct team meetings to ensure proper communication and updates.
• Work aggressively and cooperatively with Engineering, Quality Assurance, Human Resources and EHS staff to ensure goals and objectives for the facility are accomplished:
• Maximizes yields (product to raw material/ingredient ratios).
• Minimizes off-specification product.
• Maximizes throughput (gallons/pounds per cycle).
• Ensure safe work performance standards.
• Demonstrate excellent diplomacy and prompt intervention tactics in handling potentially disruptive personnel issues.
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert in the arenas related to the production process and its associated equipment.
• Guide, and provide momentum, for the operations teams during periods of downtime.
• Through support and coordination ensure training and development of all plant production personnel
• Assess, identify and report on plant operations and the fiscal impact on those operations of upsets, downtime and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Predictively, creatively and decisively address production issues to guaranty swift resolution and minimal system or process upset.
• Identify potential in, sponsor, mentor and ensure development of supervisor subordinates.
• Ensure effective employee communication, training and compliance on quality programs, policies and standards. Take action to address quality issues and the root cause.
• Review and analyze production, quality control, maintenance and operational reports to determine causes of nonconformity with product specifications and operating or production problems.
• Partner with continuous improvement leaders to implement Lean principles and practices.
• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to build an engaged and effective team.
• Establish goals, communicate expectation and build a culture of accountability, commitment and empowerment.

What You Will Bring:

• Three to five years of experience in dairy, food processing or similar facility.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business or related field preferred.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, OSHA and Department of Labor operational standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot manufacturing processes and issues analytically and systemically is preferred; ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical applications in food and/or dairy processing.
• Fluent in Continuous Improvement Processes such as Root Cause Analysis, Statistical Process applications and Standardized Procedural Development is a plus; ability to identify, assess and develop department and process improvement projects and present financial justification.
• Demonstrating flexibility in moving from operational to financial disciplines is preferred.
• Ability to apply GMP procedures and practices to the system and ensure conformance is preferred.
• Ability to perform daily checks and reports to ensure quality and production goals are met is a plus.
• Computer literate in PC based applications in including Microsoft Office Suite, 11i, Oracle, EAM and familiarity with PLC based process controls is preferred.
• Ability and experience working with groups of individuals with varying levels of education, expertise and backgrounds is a plus.
• Ability to achieve results through management and direction of others is preferred.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be self-motivated and require minimal oversight or supervision.

Benefits of Working at Darigold:

We understand that as an employee, benefits that support you and your family in and out of work are important. We're proud to offer eligible positions a competitive total rewards package that includes:

• 401k with competitive employer matching
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits
• Employer paid life & disability coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 8 weeks paid parental leave
• Education assistance
• Employee assistance program
• Compensation range: $99,548.46 - $149,322.69 (individual wage based on previous experience, knowledge, and skills)

Our Commitment to Diversity:

Achieving our vision to Lead Dairy Forward requires cultivating and supporting a team with varying backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to providing a workplace based on mutual respect where all employees feel included and can bring their best and authentic selves to work every day. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, creed, religion, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. As a condition of employment applicants offered a role will be required to successfully pass our pre-employment background screen, receive a negative drug screen result & confirm eligibility to work in the U.S. We participate in E-Verify - please follow the links for details, English / Spanish & view our Right to Work Statement, English / Spanish.