Packaging Manager (2nd Shift)

Daisy Brand•Boone, IA

About The Position

The Packaging Manager - 2nd Shift reports to the Production Manager and leads all packaging operations during the assigned shift. The role is responsible for safe, efficient production of high-quality dairy products and provides direction for packaging personnel, equipment reliability, sanitation activities, and daily operational performance. The manager works to foster safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development while coordinating with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Processing, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to meet production and efficiency targets and comply with food safety, quality, environmental, sanitation, and regulatory standards. The role requires 50–75% travel to other Daisy facilities for onboarding during the first 6–9 months. After onboarding, travel is expected to be up to 25% until plant startup; after startup, travel is as needed. For the Boone, Iowa location, the position is currently based at a temporary office in Ames, Iowa. Once construction is complete, expected in 2028, the position will move onsite to the new manufacturing plant in Boone. Daisy Brand is a family-owned company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and a market leader in sour cream and cottage cheese. It operates plants in Garland, Texas; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Wooster, Ohio, and broke ground on a new Boone, Iowa manufacturing facility in 2025. Its Innovation Center is expected to open in 2026. Daisy Brand describes its culture as collaborative and accessible, with an entrepreneurial mindset, long-term career focus, and support for employee learning and growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing Management, Operations Management, or a related field.
At least 5 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in food, beverage, dairy, or consumer packaged goods.
At least 3 years of direct leadership experience managing production or packaging operations.
Demonstrated knowledge of food safety systems, GMPs, sanitation programs, and regulatory requirements in food manufacturing.
Experience managing labor, production, packaging materials, and operational performance metrics.
Strong leadership, organizational, planning, and execution skills.
Ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate across departments.
Strong computer proficiency, including experience with ERP, MES, and manufacturing reporting systems.
Ability to meet the stated travel expectations: 50–75% during initial onboarding, up to 25% until plant startup, and as needed after startup.

Nice To Haves

Dairy manufacturing experience.
Experience leading large teams in a high-speed packaging environment.
Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, Autonomous Maintenance, and Root Cause Analysis.
Experience with filling, packaging, palletizing, and automated packaging systems.

Responsibilities

Lead packaging operations during the assigned shift to achieve production targets, quality standards, and customer requirements.
Direct daily packaging-team activities and support employees in maximizing operational efficiency and production effectiveness.
Coordinate packaging schedules and priorities with Processing, Quality, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Supply Chain.
Monitor operational performance metrics and drive improvements in throughput, labor utilization, and line efficiency.
Promote safe work practices and ensure compliance with company safety policies and procedures.
Ensure compliance with GMPs, food safety programs, sanitation requirements, HACCP principles, and applicable regulatory standards.
Maintain accountability for product quality and promptly address food safety, quality, or sanitation concerns.
Lead investigations and corrective actions involving safety incidents, quality defects, customer concerns, and food safety issues.
Maintain readiness for internal audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits.
Lead, coach, and develop direct reports; ensure employees have appropriate training and resources.
Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing feedback, and implement employee development plans.
Support hiring, onboarding, training, succession planning, and retention activities for the packaging team.
Foster accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and positive employee relations.
Drive continuous improvement focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, and operational excellence.
Analyze production data and trends to identify process optimization and waste-reduction opportunities.
Partner with Maintenance and Engineering to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and increase OEE.
Lead or support equipment upgrades, line modifications, and capital improvement projects.
Support annual planning and contribute to plant financial objectives.
Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, Technical Services, Maintenance, Procurement, and external vendors on new products, packaging technologies, and process improvements.
Facilitate communication and alignment across departments to support product flow and resolve issues.
Participate in strategic projects to improve operational capability, capacity, quality, and efficiency.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

A no-deductible, $0-premium option for employee-only medical coverage.
Access to virtual healthcare and wellness programs.
A 401(k) program with company match, weekly safe harbor contributions, and annual profit-sharing contributions.
Company-paid short- and long-term disability coverage.
Life and AD&D insurance equal to 2x annual salary.
Four weeks of paid time off and 20 hours of floating holidays in the first full year of employment.
Annual rollover and payout options for unused paid time off.
Paid time for volunteering and community involvement.
Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development opportunities.
Fitness and wellness incentives.