OPERATIONS MANAGER

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. Safety & Quality Responsibility - All AMPI employees are responsible for reporting any employee safety, food safety, or product quality concerns to the appropriate authority.
2. Heightened Safety & Quality Role - This position carries elevated responsibility for ensuring food safety and product quality across all operations activities.
3. Operational Leadership - Plans, administers, and directs daily operations while driving continuous improvement to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and strengthen process reliability.
4. Safety Leadership - Fosters a "safety-first" culture through employee engagement, coaching, and participation. Leads behavior-based safety initiatives, investigates concerns, and implements corrective actions collaboratively.
5. Cost Management - Manages departmental budget responsibly while identifying, developing, and implementing cost-saving initiatives that support overall organizational profitability.
6. Team Leadership & Development - Leads direct reports who supervise operations employees. Provides direction, coordination, and evaluation of the team. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, performance evaluation, recognition, coaching, and corrective action, always aligned with company policy.
7. Strategic Alignment - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals and adapts plans to evolving business conditions.
8. Adaptability - Manages competing priorities effectively and adjusts work methods or approaches to suit changing demands.
9. Collaborative Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems promptly by gathering and analyzing information. Facilitates group problem-solving sessions, encourages input from others, and develops alternative solutions as needed.
10. Team Culture & Morale - Builds a positive, collaborative team environment that promotes trust, communication, and mutual accountability. Works with the team to drive results and exceed divisional goals.
11. Project Management - Creates workable project plans, communicates changes effectively, and builds commitment. Anticipates resistance and works with teams to overcome barriers.
12. Quality Improvement - Actively seeks opportunities to improve processes, products, and work practices. Champions quality in all operations activities.
13. Business & Financial Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions and demonstrates strong awareness of profitability drivers, market conditions, and competitive environment. Aligns team goals with strategic priorities.
14. Sound Judgment & Inclusion - Makes well-reasoned decisions and explains the rationale clearly. Ensures appropriate people are involved in decision-making in a timely manner.
15. Planning & Prioritization - Develops realistic action plans, prioritizes work effectively, and secures additional resources as necessary.
16. Employee Engagement & Development - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, and process improvement. Remains accessible to employees, provides regular feedback, builds skills, and encourages professional growth.
17. Customer Focused Problem Resolution - Supports and leads customer complaint investigations. Drives corrective actions to conclusion, ensuring outcomes meet expectations and strengthen customer confidence.
18. Feedback & Continuous Improvement - Solicits and applies customer (internal and external) feedback to improve processes, products, and services.
19. Professionalism Under Pressure - Responds effectively under pressure, treats others with respect, accepts responsibility for actions, and reliably follows through on commitments.
20. Safety Compliance - Follows all safety and security procedures. Reports unsafe conditions promptly, leads corrective efforts, and ensures equipment and materials are used properly.

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's degree in Food Science, Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related field OR a proven track record of 15+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory or leadership experience.

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.