Plant Manager

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day. ##### The Plant Manager provides strategic and hands-on leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality dairy production. This position is accountable for daily operations, including production, maintenance, quality, and workforce development. The Plant Manager drives a culture rooted in the Seven for Success (SFS) framework — championing Safety first, maintaining the highest Quality standards, improving Productivity, strengthening Customer Service relationships, promoting open Communication, developing employees through Training, and fostering Continuous Improvement in every process. This individual serves as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and collaborates across departments to support growth, modernization, and organizational excellence. ##### **Key Responsibilities:** ##### Oversee Daily Production Operations - ##### Direct all plant operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and cost targets are achieved. - ##### Maintain effective communication across shifts to ensure consistent performance. - ##### Strong Command of Integrated Business Planning, Master Scheduling, and ERP Systems. Ensure Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance - ##### Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations (FDA, USDA, HAACP, OSHA, SQF, etc.). - ##### Partner with Quality Assurance to uphold product integrity and food safety systems. - ##### Support internal and external audits, customer visits, and certification renewals ##### Lead and Develop Plant Personnel - ##### Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and frontline employees to foster a culture of accountability and teamwork. - ##### Conduct performance evaluations, identify high-potential talent, and implement development plans. ##### Monitor Plant Performance Metrics - ##### Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as throughput, yield, OEE, quality, and labor efficiency. - ##### Analyze data to identify trends, drive problem-solving, and ensure timely corrective action. ##### Manage Budget and Cost Control - ##### Develop and manage annual operating budgets and capital plans. - ##### Monitor expenses, control variances, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or safety. ##### Drive Continuous Improvement Initiatives - ##### Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and CI efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce waste. - ##### Engage teams in identifying process bottlenecks and implementing sustainable improvements. ##### Coordinate Cross-Functional Collaboration - ##### Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Finance, and HR to achieve business objectives. - ##### Support enterprise initiatives including SAP integration, sustainability projects, and workforce development. ##### Ensure Maintenance Reliability - ##### Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend equipment life. - ##### Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to plan and execute upgrades and capital projects. ##### Champion Employee Safety and Engagement - ##### Promote a proactive safety culture with zero tolerance for unsafe practices. - ##### Lead monthly safety meetings, audits, and engagement activities to build ownership at all levels. ##### Plan for Production Capacity and Growth - ##### Develop and execute long-term operational strategies that align with cooperative growth objectives. - ##### Prepare for product innovation, new technologies, and changing customer dem…