Plant Manager – Kiel

Our client is one of America’s premier agribusiness and dairy food companies, and is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2022 annual sales of $19B, the are one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 232 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 100 years of operation, they today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Dairy Foods, Animal Nutrition, others. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries.

To continue to drive excellence at this Tier 1 Kiel, Wisconsin Plant, they are looking for a Manufacturing Site Director to lead this team of over 150+ hard working people and state-of-the-art facility. This 24/7 365 plant produces award winning aged Cheddar Cheese and sweet whey by product.

What you GET to DO with this award winning company:

• This role serves as Plant Manager and provides overall direction for the facility and is accountable for the plant results in all areas of safety, quality, sanitation, cost, customer service, cheesemaking, milk receiving, and people development. 
• You will be responsible for driving improved performance in all these areas that meets business targets and supports growth of Dairy Foods division.
• Serve as Communications connection to Corporate Leadership and also to Plant Staff
• Focus on People Leadership, People Development, and overall staff and plant productivity

What you NEED to SUCCEED in this challenging role:

• 10+ years progressive manufacturing experience with proven leadership experience managing managers and a history of delivering sustainable results  
• High school diploma or equivalent. Undergraduate degree in related curriculum preferred
• Demonstrated success in union environments, contract negotiations, and Employee/Labor Relations 
• Dairy experience in Milk Receiving, Cheese Make process and aged cheddar experience is preferred  
• Develop and coach teamwork and collaboration within the entire site that improves plant culture and drives business results
• Proven track record with Mfg Transformation/change management that drives costs savings and improves overall plant culture 
• Knowledge of financial and budgetary experience

What’s in it for YOU?

• Excellent Compensation Plan includes base salary (200k – 220k) and Comprehensive Benefits Package
• 30% variable comp bonus plan with triggers for high performance
• Highly Visible Leadership role with advanced growth opportunity
• Work in leading edge, state-of-the-art facility with the best technology available in the world
• Maintain award winning Quality Standards of excellence that you can be proud of

INDSJ