Plant Manager

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 technolo...