Senior Production Manager, Whey

Description Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose. At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed. As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family‑owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award‑winning dairy products that bring people together. In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go‑Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®. At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued. Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy. From your PASSION to ours Lactalis American Group, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Senior Manager, Whey Production based in Nampa, ID. Requirements As a Senior Manager, Whey Production, the role will carry out responsibilities such as but not limited to driving manufacturing performance; ensuring volume and quality goals are met by utilizing efficient production methods while maintaining appropriate staffing levels and respecting labor costs. The role includes directing the production team, ensuring department KPI’s are achieved and driving a culture of safety and quality. The Senior Manager, Whey Production will collaborate with Site Leadership, Site Safety, Quality and Maintenance teams to align duties with the company's goals and values.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Analyze manufacturing data and identify trends, variances and opportunities for improvement. Identify and utilize appropriate methods to ensure manufacturing processes are efficient and effective (reducing waste, reducing labor cost, etc.). Develop Standard Operating Procedures for the department and communicate expectations to the team. Direct adjustments of the manufacturing processes to maintain conformance with standards, specifications and customer requirements. Ensure compliance with all safety, quality and manufacturing policies. Drive the site safety and quality culture within the plant, ensuring all team members are aware of safety and QA policies and procedures. Ensure the overall safety of team members through continual inspection of the department. Partner with EHS team to resolve deficiencies. Ensure adherence to GMP, GSP and FSSC practices, QC policies and procedures and proper maintenance of equipment. Maintain whey production standards which align with company policies, necessary controls and standards set by regulatory agencies. Oversee and supervise daily operations of all whey production lines and associated systems. Enhance the technical performance of the department by proactively identifying training opportunities for all team members. Identify opportunities for cross‑training across the team to ensure appropriate coverage on all shifts. Manage, train and develop team members through mentoring, coaching and coordination of individual development plans. Provide performance feedback on an ongoing basis. Partner cross‑functionally with quality, maintenance and other teams to ensure product meets quality standards, equipment is properly maintained and production downtime is minimal. Plan Partner with Plant Director and Assistant Plant Director to plan, drive and execute Capex projects. Drive mid‑term dryer and evaporator action plans. Perform Root Cause Analysis on all critical failures of plant and ensure action items derived are implemented and sustained

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Whey Production Team in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

WORK CONDITIONS

Travel may be required occasionally. Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project needs. To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided. To fulfill these responsibilities, a cell phone is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities. Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and well‑being of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company’s overall performance and success.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree is required. A major in business, industrial management or a related discipline is preferred. Experience 8+ years Dryers and Evaporators experience is preferred, dairy experience is required. 8+ years experience leading direct reporting team members is required. Certifications and specific knowledge Knowledge of industry specific regulations and compliance requirements is required. Competencies Extensive knowledge of whey production processes. Strong material cost control analysis (yields/mass balance) knowledge. Strong understanding of budget management and Capex processes. Excellent leadership, problem‑solving abilities and adaptability to thrive in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. Proficient in Microsoft Office products, SAP, or similar business systems.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Ambition Performance: Challenging yourself and others in order to work efficiently and to deliver required business results. Continuous Improvement: Looking for ways to continuously improve quality, efficiency/effectiveness of the Group performance. People Development: Identify areas for developing yourself and the others. Engagement Entrepreneurship: Manage the business as if it were theirs. Loyalty: Support positively and protect the Company. Tenacity: Overcome the obstacles. Accountability: Stand by one’s commitment, deliver the results in a transparent manner With simplicity Accessibility: Ensure relationships based accessibility, modesty, and proximity. Pragmatism: Work in a practical and effective manner (with common sense). Transparency: Act and communicate with clarity and transparency.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Care We create a safe and trusting working environment. We foster a culture of listening and mutual feedback. We unlock potential and enable people to play to their strengths. We take responsibility for our impact on the environment and our stakeholders. Share We work and win as a team. We respect local cultures and are open to new ideas and ways of working. We share our learnings and best practices across the group. We are proud Lactalis ambassadors, any time, any place. Dare We take initiatives and learn from experience. We challenge the status quo and ensure continuous improvement. We lead innovation by being curious, flexible and open‑minded. We act as intrapreneurs. Inspire We live our vision and our values in an authentic way. We lead by example. We walk the talk. We live our passion and motivation to strive for more and better.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The Physical Demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. Plant/DC Non-Office: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, lift, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate machinery and move product. This would require the ability to move around within a production environment and stand and walk for prolonged periods. Regularly communicates with others verbally to convey information and must be able to work in, on, around, over and under fixed equipment and machinery, manipulate multiple controls and machinery; to work in adverse temperature conditions, to wear and work in personnel protective equipment. Specific physical demands associated with lifting limits, etc. will be found in the FSSC22000.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Work Environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the Essential Functions and Responsibilities of this job. Plant/DC Non-Office: This job operates in a manufacturing environment with moderate to excessive noise and distractions. This role occasionally uses standard office equipment, such as computers or phones and requires interaction with others on a regular basis. When moving about the production area may encounter areas that are cold, wet, slippery, obstructed, and loud and will be required to wear safety attire or protective gear. Acknowledgment I have read the above job description and understand what is expected of me to perform this role. Upon review of the job description, Essential Duties and Responsibilities, Physical demands, and Work Environment, I acknowledge I am able to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities. If I am unable to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities, I understand I am required to place in writing a request to Human Resources to determine if a reasonable accommodation is possible. Benefits At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally‑recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affi‑? #J-18808-Ljbffr Lactalis American Group Inc