Assistant Mill Manager

Barrett Petfood•Brainerd, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Barrett Petfood is hiring an Assistant Mill Manager to assist with the daily oversight of mill operations. Reporting directly to the Mill Manager, this role helps coordinate Mill Supervisors and mill employees to support production goals, employee development, equipment reliability, and compliance with company standards. The Mill Manager retains primary responsibility for the department’s overall performance, strategy, and long-term development; the Assistant Mill Manager focuses on daily execution, coordinating employees and production activities, resolving operational issues, and maintaining continuity when the Mill Manager is unavailable. The Assistant Mill Manager supports leadership and oversight of the mill team, employee training and development, staffing and production coordination, and compliance with company policies, standard operating procedures, food safety requirements, and workplace safety regulations. The role also assists with processing raw ingredients according to schedules and specifications, maintaining product quality and flow, supporting sanitation and housekeeping, troubleshooting operational challenges, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce waste. The position works with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Warehouse, and other departments, and supports departmental projects and process improvements. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The stated salary range is $65,000–$75,000 per year. The role requires standing and walking for extended periods, lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to 50 pounds, and performing physical tasks such as bending, reaching, climbing, stooping, and kneeling. Work may involve hot, cold, wet, humid, or noisy conditions and access to elevated work areas.

Requirements

Minimum of 2–3 years of manufacturing or industrial production experience.
Working knowledge of mill equipment, grinding processes, raw material handling, and production workflows.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the manufacturing facility.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds.
Ability to bend, reach, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, and perform other physical activities required in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to routinely and safely climb and descend stairs and ladders, including accessing elevated work areas and equipment.
Ability to maintain balance and stability on elevated platforms, stairs, ladders, and uneven or wet surfaces, as applicable.
Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including hot, cold, wet, humid, noisy, or temperature-fluctuating areas.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing or industrial production experience in milling or food manufacturing.
Previous leadership, team lead, or supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Support the Mill Manager in providing leadership, direction, and oversight to Mill Supervisors and the mill team to meet daily production goals and quality standards.
Assist with training, developing, and evaluating employees through coaching, feedback, and guidance.
Help coordinate staffing, employee assignments, and production priorities across shifts.
Reinforce compliance with company policies, SOPs, food safety requirements, and workplace health and safety regulations.
Communicate production performance, staffing concerns, equipment issues, and operational challenges to the Mill Manager.
Provide day-to-day leadership and decision-making support to maintain mill operations when the Mill Manager is unavailable.
Help ensure consistent communication between shifts and departments about production needs, process changes, and operational concerns.
Support departmental goals, employee performance, and a safe, productive work environment.
Assist in managing daily mill operations so raw ingredients are ground and processed according to production schedules, product specifications, and established procedures.
Monitor production activities to ensure ingredients are processed safely, efficiently, and consistently to meet quality standards and downstream manufacturing requirements.
Provide hands-on operational support and technical guidance to Mill Supervisors and mill employees to address production challenges and maintain product flow.
Help identify and resolve inefficiencies involving production processes, raw materials, equipment performance, and employee training.
Support mill sanitation activities and maintain housekeeping standards throughout the department.
Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Warehouse, and other departments to resolve operational concerns and prevent production delays.
Assist with reviewing production performance and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain consistent product quality.
Serve as a technical resource for mill operations and help train employees on equipment operation, production processes, and safe work practices.
Support departmental projects, process improvements, and implementation of operational changes.
Perform other duties as assigned to support mill operations and manufacturing objectives.