DIVISION MANAGER

AMPI owns six Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese and processed cheese is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese 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 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. Ensures strict adherence to product specifications, food safety standard, and regulatory requirements (FDA, USDA, etc.)
3. As the primary point of contact with our brand owner for contract manufacturing, build a partnership ensuring best-in-class safety, quality, service, and cost performance.
4. Build and maintain strong working relationships with brand owner leadership teams to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
5. Administers, plans, and directs plant operations while continually striving for improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Applies continuous improvement (CI), Lean, and TPM methodologies to deliver sustainable results.
6. Fosters a "safety first" atmosphere. Leads safety with employee engagement and participation, instilling behavior-based safety observations. Identifies and investigates safety concerns and implements corrective plan of action.
7. Responsible for active involvement with dairy producer relationships, working directly with member services.
8. Drives manufacturing performance improvements focused on waste reduction, COGS reduction, throughput, and labor efficiency to exceed budget expectations.
9. Manages direct reports who supervise employees in production, quality, maintenance, human resources, and office while responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the reports. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
10. Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals and adapts strategy to changing conditions.
11. Champions data driven problem-solving and standard work implementation. Works well in group problem solving situations and develops alternative solutions.
12. Works together to create a positive team environment focusing on employee morale while working together to drive results and exceed divisional goals.
13. Ability to manage projects by creating workable plans; communicates changes effectively, builds commitment, and overcomes resistance.
14. Understands business implications of decisions while displaying an orientation to profitability. Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition, and aligns work with strategic goals.
15. Exhibits sound and accurate judgment by support and explanation of reasoning for decisions. Includes appropriate people in decision-making process and in a timely fashion.
16. Develops realistic action plans, by prioritizing and planning work activities. Plans for additional resources as needed.
17. Develops, maintains, and continuously improves performance scorecards, including KPIs for safety, quality, service, cost, and efficiency.
18. Collaborates closely with Quality Assurance to investigate deviations, lead root cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
19. Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external). Improves processes, products and services.
20. Ability to react well under pressure. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position. Accepts responsibility for own actions and follows through on commitments.
21. Other duties that may be assigned could include:
    
    
    
    1. Attend and oversee District and Divisional member meetings.
    2. Prepare and report on Divisional issues at District and Division Meetings.
    3. Attend and assist at AMPI annual meeting.
    4. Attend and oversee annual YC meeting and report on Divisional issues at that meeting.
    5. Be involved in local dairy, business associations, and build community relationships.
    
    
    
    

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 required in food science, manufacturing or related field.
• Five years of supervisory experience required.
• 10 years of experience in a dairy production environment preferred.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office including, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• It is desirable for the incumbent to have basic accounting experience, including accounts payable and accounts receivable knowledge.
• 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.