Plant Manager

Plant Manager – Dairy Powder Manufacturing Lead the Future of Dairy Manufacturing At Valley Milk , we believe great people build great products. As one of California's premier dairy powder manufacturers, we are committed to producing high-quality dairy ingredients while investing in our people, our technology, and our future. We are seeking an accomplished Plant Manager with extensive dairy manufacturing experience to lead our world-class milk powder operation. This is a rare opportunity to join an organization that is investing in operational excellence, leadership development, continuous improvement, and long-term growth. If you are a hands-on leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, improving manufacturing performance, and creating a culture of accountability and engagement, we want to hear from you. About the Role The Plant Manager serves as the senior operations leader responsible for the overall performance of our dairy powder manufacturing facility. This position oversees all aspects of production, maintenance, quality, food safety, warehouse operations, sanitation, and employee development while driving operational excellence throughout the organization. This role requires a visible leader who enjoys being on the plant floor, coaching leaders, developing talent, and solving complex manufacturing challenges. Why Valley Milk? At Valley Milk , you'll have the opportunity to: Lead one of California's premier dairy powder manufacturing facilities. Work alongside an experienced leadership team committed to continuous improvement. Shape the future of the operation through innovation, operational excellence, and employee development. Influence strategic business decisions while leading daily plant operations. Build a culture centered on safety, accountability, teamwork, and respect. Develop future leaders through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning. Drive meaningful change in a company that values initiative and leadership. Be part of an organization focused on sustainable growth, world-class quality, and operational excellence. Primary Responsibilities Lead all manufacturing operations including milk receiving, HTST processing, evaporation, spray drying, powder packaging, warehousing, sanitation, maintenance, and quality. Champion employee safety and food safety while maintaining compliance with FDA, USDA, OSHA, BRC, HACCP, GMP, and all regulatory requirements. Build, coach, and develop high-performing leadership teams. Foster a positive culture built on accountability, collaboration, engagement, and continuous learning. Drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives throughout the facility. Establish and monitor key operational performance indicators including: Safety Quality OEE Yield Downtime Customer Service Partner closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Human Resources, and Commercial teams. Manage operating budgets, capital projects, and long-range operational planning. Lead root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions. Develop succession plans and strengthen leadership capability throughout the organization. Ensure consistent execution of company objectives while delivering exceptional customer service and product quality. Required Qualifications Experience 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in dairy manufacturing is required. Minimum of 10 years managing dairy manufacturing operations. Extensive experience in milk powder manufacturing is required. Demonstrated success leading large-scale dairy processing facilities. Experience managing multiple departments within a manufacturing operation. Technical Expertise Strong knowledge of: HTST Processing Evaporation Systems Spray Drying Powder Packaging Dairy Ingredient Manufacturing CIP Systems Food Safety Programs Manufacturing KPIs Lean Manufacturing Education Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Dairy Science, Food Science, Business, Manufacturing, or a related discipline preferred. Equivalent industry experience with demonstrated leadership success will also be strongly considered. Preferred Qualifications Experience leading large-scale milk powder manufacturing operations. Knowledge of dairy ingredient production and processing. Experience preparing for and leading customer, regulatory, and third-party audits. HACCP, PCQI, SQF, or Lean/Six Sigma certification. Experience implementing automation, process optimization, and manufacturing technology improvements. What We're Looking For We're looking for more than technical expertise—we're looking for a leader who inspires people. Leads by example. Is highly visible on the production floor. Coaches and develops future leaders. Builds trust through communication and accountability. Thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Values teamwork, ownership, and continuous improvement. Creates an environment where employees feel engaged, respected, and empowered to succeed. What Success Looks Like Within your first year, you'll be expected to: Build strong relationships across all departments. Improve operational efficiency and manufacturing performance. Develop leadership capability throughout the organization. Strengthen employee engagement and accountability. Enhance safety and quality performance. Drive measurable continuous improvement initiatives. Position the facility for long-term operational excellence and sustainable growth. Bring your leadership. Build great teams. Drive operational excellence. Help shape the future of Valley Milk. #J-18808-Ljbffr