Operations Team Manager

Wohlt Creamery • New London, WI

17d • Onsite

About The Position

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is seeking an Operations Team Manager to lead second-shift operations at its New London dairy and food manufacturing facility. The role provides leadership across production, maintenance, quality assurance, and warehouse operations, working alongside supervisors and employees to keep the facility operating safely and efficiently and to meet production schedules and business objectives. The manager will reinforce food safety, workplace safety, product quality, and regulatory standards, while identifying opportunities to improve processes and operational performance.

This is an active, hands-on leadership role involving time on the production floor, employee interaction, operational coordination, performance review, and computer-based management of information and priorities. The manager will support and develop supervisors and employees, coordinate staffing and operational resources, address challenges with plant leadership, and keep teams aligned through shift handoffs and timely follow-up. The role is full-time, salaried exempt, and scheduled Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Occasional travel may be required. The starting salary is $85,000 annually; the final offer depends on the selected candidate’s background and experience. Employment is contingent on successfully completing the required background check and drug and alcohol screening, consistent with company policy.

Requirements

• Experience leading employees in manufacturing, production, or a similar operational environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across departments and organizational levels.
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to balance competing priorities and make effective decisions.
• Experience with production scheduling, staffing, inventory management, equipment utilization, or process improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to learn enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Ability to interpret production schedules, written procedures, specifications, and other operational information.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel occasionally, as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Strong knowledge of food or dairy manufacturing.
• Five or more years of related industry experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee second-shift production, maintenance, quality assurance, and warehouse activities to meet production schedules and business objectives.
• Coach and support supervisors and provide guidance to employees, fostering an environment where people can succeed and grow.
• Reinforce food safety, workplace safety, product quality, and regulatory standards during daily operations.
• Identify opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce waste, improve processes, and strengthen operational performance.
• Coordinate staffing, materials, equipment, inventory, and production schedules to meet business and customer needs.
• Ensure employees have the training, tools, and resources needed to perform their jobs safely and effectively.
• Partner with supervisors and plant leadership to resolve equipment issues, production obstacles, order requirements, and product inconsistencies.
• Coordinate shift handoffs, communicate performance results, and ensure operational issues and corrective actions receive timely follow-up.
• Provide constructive feedback, recognize employee contributions, and address performance concerns fairly and consistently in partnership with Human Resources.
• Lead by example and demonstrate the company’s values of teamwork, integrity, innovation, and excellence.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Benefits eligibility beginning the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Health Savings Account (HSA), accident, and critical illness coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and additional free resources.
• 401k employer match.
• Paid time off and holiday pay.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Career growth and advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed