Whey Department Manager

TITLE: Whey Department Manager

REPORTS TO: Plant Director

LOCATION: Tulare, CA

Lactalis Heritage Dairy is currently seeking candidates to join our team in Tulare, CA.

Lactalis Group, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do.

If you're looking for a unique experience with a company that offers strong brands, professional expertise, and a dynamic work environment that champions entrepreneurial spirit, hands-on responsibility, and real opportunity for career development, we want to hear from you!

Lactalis Heritage Dairy: inviting you to share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE.

From your PASSION to ours

The Whey Department Manager is responsible for the overall management and direction of (Whey Department) processes. Ensures manufacturing performance, volume and quality goals are met by utilizing efficient methods, along with maintaining appropriate staffing and labor cost levels. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: achieving project/department goals within budget; coordinating manufacturing with other departments (Marketing, R&D, etc.) as well as with vendors; oversees the interviewing and hiring of employees to include appraising performance, rewarding and coaching employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Analyzes manufacturing data and identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement; identifies and utilizes methods to assure manufacturing processes are more efficient and effective (reducing waste, reducing labor cost, etc).
• Directs adjustments of the manufacturing processes to maintain conformance with standards, specifications and customer requirements.
• Ensures compliance with workplace and government-mandated standards (FDA, USDA, OSHA, etc.)
• Responsible for maintaining all GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and all regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for preparing a variety of manufacturing reports and presenting to top management, including corrective actions or adjustments as required.
• Responsible for the overall safety of personnel through continual inspection of the department and processes, making necessary changes to ensure efficiency is not compromised by safety and health concerns.
• Confers with the Production Manager and other Department Managers to coordinate departmental activities.
• Will be required to explain variances in labor costs and productivity.
• Ensures adherence to GMP, GSP, FSSC practices, and QC policies and procedures, and proper maintenance of equipment.
• Responsible for the overall department budget and Cap Ex process; to include collection, preparation and presentation of data to top management.
• Cooperates with other management in establishing and communicating company policies, operating procedures and goals.
• Ensures quality assurance programs prevent or eliminate defects in new or existing products.
• Ensures successful completion of department specific initiatives (e.g. capital projects).
• Ensures effective employee relations by supporting and maintaining a safe and positive work environment. Analyzes and assists in resolving work and/or employee issues through problem resolution.
• Manage, train and develop team members through mentoring, coaching and coordination of individual development plans. Provide performance feedback on an ongoing basis. Partner with HR on employee relations issues.
• Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education & Experience

*Degree in Business or related field preferred.

*5+ years' experience in manufacturing industry required; dairy industry preferred.

*5+ year's experience leading direct reporting team members is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

*Strong Material cost control analysis (yields/ mass balance) knowledge.

*Strong understanding of budget management and Capex process.

*Proficient with standard office computer technology such as Microsoft Office products and especially Excel.

*Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work in a team environment

*Self-starter with proven ability to organize and follow through multiple complex tasks and projects simultaneously.

*Strong analytical ability of inventory, production, and statistical analysis.

*Effective and proficient communicator, written and verbal

*Business acumen to include problem solving and analysis

*Able to manage time through efficient planning and organizing of daily production to include delegation of duties.

Lactalis Heritage Dairy is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.