Dairy Farmers of America · 5 days ago
Cheese Production Manager
Zumbrota, MN
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$115K/yr - $140K/yr
3+ years expDairy Farmers of America is a leading company in the dairy industry, seeking a Cheese Production Manager to lead the Cheese, Intake, and Evaporator Departments. The role involves managing cheese production processes, ensuring product quality, and optimizing operational efficiencies while maintaining safety and environmental standards.
AgricultureDairyDietary SupplementsFood Processing
Responsibilities
Responsible for performance of production, focusing on cost, quality, safety, and employee environment
Develop, troubleshoot, and improve manufacturing processes and equipment with assistance from Plant leadership and support teams
Monitor and oversee the quality of the finished product by maintaining the equipment and facility in a sanitary condition
Manage recipes and make updates to maximize both yield and quality/performance of all products produced
Fully support and effectively communicate changes in processes, recipe, operation, quality issues and concerns, as well as trials to the Team Leads, Supervisors, Plant Manager and Process Tech
Mentor and train Operators, Team Leads, and Supervisors
Work with Maintenance and Engineering to coordinate and implement capital projects and maintenance activities
Provide leadership, direction, and guidance to production and supervisory staff. Develop supervisors to support the plant
Ensure customer needs are met to include product performance, quality, cost, and timely shipment of orders
Develop a yearly budget with the Plant Manager. Monitor and control departmental costs in comparison with budgetary objectives
Promote and enforce safety programs and policies to reduce employee accidents and injuries
Promote and enforce GMP’s, HACCP, quality, and sanitation standards, to ensure product quality and integrity
Troubleshoot and lead problem solving initiatives through the facilitation of team meetings and on-the-floor leadership. Effectively change systems and update procedures through continuous improvement and effective communication
Responsible for the daily and weekly production schedules
Complete paperwork, including production/quality records, master sanitation lists, schedules, accident reports and investigations
Ensure the consistent application of company policies and procedures. Apply employee progressive disciplinary action in partnership with Human Resources
Directs the overall activities of the manufacturing facility to ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost to meet the customers’ requirements while maintaining established safety and quality standards
Analyzes plant operations and key metrics to ensure the facility maintains high safety, quality, and productivity standards
Is responsible for expense management and control, including shrink, labor, and overhead costs
Ensures that standard operating procedures are developed and maintained for all aspects of the business
Develop and maintain procedures for the cheese make, operation, and training of supervisors and employees in the cheese plant
Work with the Quality Manager to make determinations on disposition of product based on product and customer specifications
Cooperates in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the company
Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager such as, planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating, and delegating
Provides management of employees directly or through supervisors to ensure effective selection, retention, development, disciplinary action, and performance management
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in an applicable discipline is preferred or High School Diploma / Equivalent with applicable experience in Plant Operations in Manufacturing
3+ years managerial experience in a dairy processing facility
Knowledge of packaging/processing technology
Knowledge/expertise in lean manufacturing principles (Kaizen, work balancing, 5S, TPM, Six Sigma, etc.)
High level of working knowledge in Food Manufacturing that includes manufacturing and operational requirements for the following items: Food Safety / Food Security / Food Quality, Manufacturing Safety / Manufacturing Efficiencies
Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems, specifically Excel, Word, Microsoft Project, PowerPoint, Minitab
Able to utilize root cause analysis techniques (fishbone diagram, Pareto charts, 5 Whys, etc.)
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong time management, ability to follow-up, communication, and organizational skills
Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Ability to select, lead, coach, influence, motivate, develop, engage and retain a team of employees
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
Ability to understand cost containment and budgetary principles
Ability to work flexible hours including weekends in support of plant operations
Preferred
Cheese Makers Certification preferred
Company
Dairy Farmers of America
Dairy Farmers of America is a milk marketing cooperative owned and served by farmers across the nation.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Dairy Farmers of America has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (3)
2024 (6)
2023 (1)
2022 (2)
2021 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$45MKey Investors
U.S. Department of Agriculture
2022-09-15Grant· $45M
Leadership Team
Dennis Rodenbaugh
Chief Executive Officer
Daniel Jones
Division Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
2025-12-15
Family Features
2025-11-04
Company data provided by crunchbase