Production Manager Culture Products - AM Shift

Saputo Inc. • Tulare, CA

1d • $104,730 - $137,455 • Onsite

About The Position

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world. As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?
As the Production Manager – Culture Products, you will play an important leadership role in supporting the success of our cottage cheese and sour cream operations. You will lead production teams, help drive safe and efficient manufacturing practices, and partner with plant leaders and cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products for our customers. This role is a great opportunity for a hands-on manufacturing leader who enjoys developing people, solving problems, improving processes, and making a direct impact on plant performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or management experience in production or manufacturing; 5–7 years in dairy manufacturing or food processing preferred.
• Experience with cultured dairy products, including cottage cheese and sour cream, and unionized manufacturing environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of dairy processing, food safety programs, regulatory requirements, and safety standards, including HACCP, GMP, SQF, FDA, CDFA, PMO, OSHA, and Cal/OSHA.
• Ability to manage budgets, control costs, analyze performance metrics, plan production, allocate resources, and improve operational execution.
• Strong leadership, coaching, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and team development skills. Experience in Union environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and computer-based applications required; SAP, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

• 5–7 years in dairy manufacturing or food processing preferred.
• Experience with cultured dairy products, including cottage cheese and sour cream, and unionized manufacturing environments preferred.
• SAP, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cottage cheese and sour cream production operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, service, cost, productivity, and team engagement.
• Translate plant objectives into clear production plans, schedules, staffing strategies, and performance expectations.
• Manage daily, weekly, monthly, and annual production priorities while balancing customer needs, labor availability, equipment capability, and operational demands.
• Drive improvements in throughput, downtime reduction, yield, schedule performance, and controllable manufacturing costs.
• Use production data, performance trends, and root cause analysis to solve problems, support decisions, and prevent repeat issues.
• Coach, develop, and support production supervisors, raw receiving supervision, production coordinators, and frontline teams.
• Build a culture of accountability, training, employee engagement, retention, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with HR, plant leadership, Maintenance, Quality, Technical Support, Health & Safety, Distribution, and regulatory partners to support strong execution.
• Ensure operations meet food safety, quality, customer specification, regulatory, environmental, and plant policy requirements.
• Support audits, customer complaint reviews, product quality investigations, R&D trials, process changes, new product readiness, and Saputo values-based leadership.

Benefits

• Development opportunities that enhance their career fulfillment
• Meaningful compensation & benefits that help them care for their families
• Opportunities to contribute to your community and enhance the lives of others through Saputo products

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager