Plant Manager

Plant Manager

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America's largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you'll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

The Plant Manager provides strategic and hands-on leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality dairy production. This position is accountable for daily operations, including production, maintenance, quality, and workforce development. The Plant Manager drives a culture rooted in the Seven for Success (SFS) framework — championing Safety first, maintaining the highest Quality standards, improving Productivity, strengthening Customer Service relationships, promoting open Communication, developing employees through Training, and fostering Continuous Improvement in every process. This individual serves as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and collaborates across departments to support growth, modernization, and organizational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee Daily Production Operations
• Ensure Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
• Lead and Develop Plant Personnel
• Monitor Plant Performance Metrics
• Manage Budget and Cost Control
• Drive Continuous Improvement Initiatives
• Coordinate Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Ensure Maintenance Reliability
• Champion Employee Safety and Engagement
• Plan for Production Capacity and Growth

Competencies: Leadership

• Ensures Accountability
• Communicates Effectively
• Manages Complexity
• Customer Focus
• Directs Work
• Financial Acumen
• Drives Results
• Builds Effective Teams

Competencies: Technical

• Manufacturing Systems and Process Knowledge
• Food Safety and Quality Systems
• Maintenance and Reliability Program Management
• Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing
• Production Planning and ERP Systems
• Workforce Development and Training Systems

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, or related field (preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in food or dairy manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, SQF, HACCP, and other regulatory standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage change.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (SAP experience preferred).
• Proven track record in performance improvement, budget management, and employee development.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to temperature variation, noise, and physical activity.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.

Must be available for extended hours or weekend work as needed to support operations.

Pay: $150k-$185k a year*

* The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.