Plant Operations Manager- Farmers Creamery

Description

Open Gates Group, based near Kalona, IA, is a family of companies dedicated to the growth and manufacturing of local dairy products. What began as a single creamery has grown into 11 businesses that source, produce, and deliver high-quality Midwestern products to over 3,500 stores nationwide. Our unique organic milk comes from grass-fed cows on small family farms, pasteurized at the lowest legal temperature, non-homogenized, and verified regenerative through Land to Market- which means that our cows are grazed in a way that enhances the environment, rather than harming it. We’re looking for a hands-on Plant Operations Manager to lead our dairy production manufacturing efforts at Farmers Creamery.

The Plant Operations Manager is a hands-on leader responsible for overseeing all daily production plant operations, while driving performance through strong leadership, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. In partnership with operations leaders and cross-functional teams, this role fosters a safe and high-performing manufacturing environment, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality products that meet customer expectations. This position is highly visible on the production floor and requires a leader who can develop people, solve problems in real time, and translate operational data into actionable improvements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and coordination for plant operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and production teams to build a strong leadership pipeline.
• Create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Conduct regular coaching conversations, performance feedback, and development planning.
• Ensure staffing, training, and team structure support operational goals.
• Promote a positive, team-oriented environment that reinforces safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Operations Management

• Oversee all daily plant operations, including production and manufacturing activities.
• Ensure production schedules are executed efficiently to meet customer demand and business objectives.
• Monitor operations to ensure adherence to plant and corporate procedures.
• Maintain high standards for safety, efficiency, and product consistency.
• Increase production asset capacity and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs.

Food Safety & Quality

• Adhere to quality work practices, follow GMPs, and maintain sanitary conditions at all times.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and regulatory requirements (GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, FDA, USDA, Organic).
• Reinforce a strong food safety culture across all teams.
• Investigate quality or compliance issues, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.

Performance Metrics & Analytics

• Develop, track, and analyze key production KPIs (e.g., yield, throughput, downtime, labor efficiency, quality metrics).
• Translate operational data into insights that drive performance improvements.
• Establish standards for performance and accountability across teams.
• Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities using data-driven analysis.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Identify and implement strategies to improve plant performance and exceed KPIs.
• Lead root cause analysis and structured problem-solving initiatives.
• Monitor operations to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies; implement sustainable solutions.
• Drive process improvements that enhance productivity, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Support and lead change initiatives, including new processes, equipment, or technologies.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with cross-functional teams including Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, R&D, and HR.
• Communicate clear expectations, goals, and performance updates across all levels of the organization.
• Align operational priorities with broader business objectives.
• Lead regular production meetings focused on safety, performance, and continuous improvement.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Agriculture, Engineering, Operations, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in dairy, food manufacturing, or fluid processing environments.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and regulatory compliance (GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, FDA, USDA).
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop people, and drive operational results.
• Demonstrated experience with KPI development, performance metrics, and data analysis.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience in root cause analysis and process improvement.
• Excellent communication and leadership presence with the ability to influence across teams.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives.

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Frequent presence on the production floor.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift as needed.
• Exposure to production environments, including cold temperatures, humidity, chemicals, and moving mechanical equipment.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Strong, engaged teams with clear accountability and development pathways
• Measurable improvements in key production KPIs
• Reduced downtime, waste, and inefficiencies
• Consistent delivery of safe, high-quality products
• A culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence