ADVISOR OF OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

AMPI owns seven Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese, processed cheese and butter is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese, butter and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled buttermakers and cheesemakers.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time:

1. All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority.
2. Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations across all divisions, coaching managers to achieve operational excellence.
3. Build and mentor high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
4. Develop and execute strategies for operational excellence (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, TPM initiatives).
5. Guide cross-functional teams to enhance throughput, reduce costs, and ensure consistent product quality.
6. Ensure compliance with all food safety, regulatory, and environmental standards (e.g., USDA, FDA, SQF).
7. Establish KPIs that align with corporate goals, enabling managers to track monthly and annual performance.
8. Partner with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain to support innovation, scalability, and product development.
9. Lead strategic planning to identify gaps in staffing, equipment, and processes; propose solutions with clear ROI and timelines.
10. Work with division leaders to develop and present capital appropriation requests to senior leadership.
11. Champion best practices in manufacturing - driving improvements in safety, quality, efficiency, and cost control.
12. Plan and manage the annual operations budget, overseeing expenditures and implementing cost-control measures.
13. Represent AMPI at industry organizations and conferences (e.g., NCCIA, WCMA), strengthening external partnerships and visibility.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Science, Engineering, Business or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a Senior Leadership position.
• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required.
• Maintain a valid drivers' license and must be able to travel.

BENEFITS/REWARDS

AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Military and veterans are encouraged to apply.