Operations Team Manager

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery • New London, WI

17d • Onsite

About The Position

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is hiring an Operations Team Manager for its New London dairy and food manufacturing facility. The manager leads second-shift operations across production, maintenance, quality assurance, and warehouse activities, working with supervisors and employees to meet production schedules and business objectives. This is a visible, hands-on leadership role that combines time on the production floor with coordinating operations, interacting with employees, reviewing performance, and managing information and priorities on a computer.

The role focuses on safe and efficient operations, food safety, product quality, regulatory standards, employee development, and continuous improvement. The manager coordinates staffing, materials, equipment, inventory, and schedules; addresses operational challenges; communicates shift results and handoffs; and works with Human Resources on performance matters. Occasional travel may be required. The position is full-time and salaried exempt, scheduled Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The starting salary is $85,000 annually; the final offer depends on the selected candidate’s background and experience.

Requirements

• Experience leading employees in manufacturing, production, or a similar operational environment.
• Strong 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 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, guide employees, and foster an environment where employees can succeed and grow.
• Reinforce food safety, workplace safety, product quality, and regulatory standards.
• 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 work 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.
• Model 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