Plant Manager

UNC Dairy•Town of Cheektowaga, NY

12h•$150,000 - $185,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
Proven track record in performance improvement, budget management, and employee development.
Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others responsible for meeting commitments.
Communicates Effectively: Delivers clear, timely, and respectful communication across levels.
Manages Complexity: Makes sound decisions amid uncertainty and competing priorities.
Customer Focus: Builds strong relationships and ensures satisfaction through consistent quality and service.
Directs Work: Delegates effectively and sets clear expectations for performance and results.
Financial Acumen: Understands budgets, cost drivers, and financial impacts of operational decisions.
Drives Results: Consistently delivers against production, safety, and financial targets.
Builds Effective Teams: Fosters collaboration and cohesion among diverse workgroups.
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

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, or related field (preferred).
SAP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct all plant operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and cost targets are achieved.
Maintain effective communication across shifts to ensure consistent performance.
Strong Command of Integrated Business Planning, Master Scheduling, and ERP Systems.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations (FDA, USDA, HAACP, OSHA, SQF, etc.).
Partner with Quality Assurance to uphold product integrity and food safety systems.
Support internal and external audits, customer visits, and certification renewal.
Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and frontline employees to foster a culture of accountability and teamwork.
Conduct performance evaluations, identify high-potential talent, and implement development plans.
Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as throughput, yield, OEE, quality, and labor efficiency.
Analyze data to identify trends, drive problem-solving, and ensure timely corrective action.
Develop and manage annual operating budgets and capital plans.
Monitor expenses, control variances, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or safety.
Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and CI efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
Engage teams in identifying process bottlenecks and implementing sustainable improvements.
Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Finance, and HR to achieve business objectives.
Support enterprise initiatives including SAP integration, sustainability projects, and workforce development.
Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to plan and execute upgrades and capital projects.
Promote a proactive safety culture with zero tolerance for unsafe practices.
Lead monthly safety meetings, audits, and engagement activities to build ownership at all levels.
Develop and execute long-term operational strategies that align with cooperative growth objectives.
Prepare for product innovation, new technologies, and changing customer demands.