Director of Operations

SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of this role is to support the President in the ongoing day-to-day operation of the business. The Director of Operations will lead a team of dedicated personnel, including production supervisors and maintenance staff to achieve operational excellence. You will ensure communication between departments and give feedback on KPI's on a regular basis. The Director of Operations role provides overall direction in all areas of safety, quality, sanitation, cost, and customer service. You are responsible for driving improved performance in all these areas that meet business targets and supports growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Must be capable of regular and predictable attendance.

· Able to work overtime as needed.

· Able to work Weekends as needed.

· Especially when new equipment is being installed or large projects are happening.

· Able to work holidays as needed.

· Manage all plant resources to optimize profitability to meet or exceed internal and external customer expectations.

· Develop the skills and capabilities of both salaried and hourly team members.

· Ability to effectively lead the plant staff of managers, supervisors, and the hourly team to achieve all plant goals.

· Provide leadership and guidance to production staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

· Must be capable of being hands on with equipment and assisting in all areas when needed

· Provide a clear and strategic direction and execute with excellence.

· Create achievable performance indicators/goals for each department

· Ability to lead the team to innovate, develop, and implement cost savings initiatives that drive improved cost/lb. performance year on year.

· Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and industry best practices, implementing and maintaining HACCP and GMP programs.

· Determine the need for organizational changes to meet current budgetary and longer-term operating objectives.

· Monitor and analyze KPIs to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

· Possess solid financial background and experiences to understand daily, monthly, and annual to date impact of line efficiency, material yield, and labor productivity for the overall Plant, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain performance.

· Direct the overall activities of the plant to ensure a quality product is being produced to the established company standards in accordance with regulatory requirements.

· Identify and implement innovative technologies and practices to enhance plant efficiency and performance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Engineering or a related field.

· Dairy experience is required, cheese and whey processing highly desired.

· Effective communications and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders.

· Demonstrated understanding of food safety regulations and quality control processes.

· Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and engage employees.

· Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a focus on continuous improvement.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office and other relevant software applications.