Plant Manager

The Plant Manager provides overall leadership and direction for the Pine Island, MN facility in all areas of safety, quality, sanitation, cost management, customer service, production, and employee relations.  Responsible for driving improved performance, championing safety and quality, optimizing assets through the use of data and AI, and fostering a culture of positive employee relations.  This role reports to the Sr Director, Dairy Foods Manufacturing.  

Pine Island is a 24/7/365 dairy cheese facility that produces specialty dried cheese powders and dry blend seasonings that supports Land O’Lakes Specialty and Ingredients Business Unit. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our facility, developing and executing strategies, and leading resources to maximize profitability and exceeding customer expectations.  This is a high profile role in a flagship plant with visibility to corporate functions and upper level leadership.  We are seeking a high energy leader with a passion for driving continuous improvement efforts that impact results, people, and culture.

Experience-Education (Required):

• Minimum of 10 years progressive manufacturing experience with proven leadership qualities and a demonstrated track record of delivering sustainable results

• Food manufacturing experience, ideally Dairy and/or spray drying knowledge

• Demonstrated success in LEAN/Six Sigma/TPM that results in cost savings, people engagement, and a stronger plant culture

• Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and collaboration, enhancing plant culture and driving business results through effective people leadership and development

• Proven track record and demonstrated success in developing and maintaining positive Employee Relations and driving employee engagement

• Skilled in developing strategic plans and translating them into actionable initiatives for site improvement

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Food Science, Agriculture, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering or related education

Competencies-Skills (Required):

• Servant leadership style focused on coaching and developing plant leaders. 

• Proven track record and passion in developing people and plant culture through fostering high levels of teamwork and collaboration.  Hands on out on the floor leader who understands plant opportunities and helps leaders achieve success.

• Strong manufacturing experience and ability to track and improve KPI’s across safety, quality, cost, and productivity. 

• Possess strong ability to lead the plant team in technical problem solving that improves results in safety, quality, cost, and productivity

• Champion human and food safety as core values

• Collaborate effectively with cross functional teams (EHS, Quality, R&D, SO, Finance, Sales, Marketing) to resolve issues and drive value in shared goals

• Drive innovation and reliability through the application of digital technology, AI, automation

• Develop and implement cost savings initiatives and overall cost savings strategy

• Possess financial acumen in evaluating financial results, material yield, plant efficiency and capacity, labor productivity.  Able to set annual ABP budget targets.

• Develop long range capital strategy and implement annual capital budgets

• Communicate effectively, deliver impactful presentations, and influence others

• Set and communicate clear strategic direction; execute with excellence

• Determines best course of action in problem solving for quality, logistics, sourcing, and engineering requirements in a matrix’s organization.

Experience-Education (Preferred):

• Prefer Master's degree in related field

• Progressive manufacturing experience in a food facility or Dairy facility, specific experience in spray dryers is a plus  

• Lean/Continuous Improvement certifications

Salary Range: $142,160 - $213,240. In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges. 

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.

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