Director of Operations (CheeseFood Division)

Ready to take charge at the heart of Midwest manufacturing Berner Food & Beverage is searching for a bold hands-on Director of Operations to fuel growth drive innovation and empower our people. If you thrive in fast-paced environments love making things better and crave seeing your ideas come to life this is your chance to lead a smart hungry crew shaping some of Americas favorite ready-to-eat cheese products and ready-to-drink beverages. Lets create something greattogether!

Summary:

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations the Director of Operations is a key leader responsible for driving operational excellence within Berner Food & Beverages cheese division. This role partners with cross-functional leaders to maximize production performance elevate product quality and continually enhance business processes and systems. The Director maintains a hands-on presence across all departments ensuring that plant operations align with company goals and strategic objectives. Flexibility in shift coverage and scheduling is required to support round-the-clock cheese production and provide effective oversight.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Champion Berners values positive workplace culture and team-based approach.
• Develop implement and track KPIs SOPs GMPs and enforce best practices for SQF and HACCP compliance specific to cheese manufacturing.
• Plan manage and optimize production schedules and forecasting to meet demand efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Monitor and analyze inventory levels in collaboration with demand planning procurement and sales ensuring alignment with customer requirements.
• Oversee workforce managementincluding manager and supervisor follow-ups employee training shift performance staffing attendance and continuous improvement initiatives such as OEE.
• Collaborate with quality sales procurement R&D and sales to develop and manage budgets control product costs and drive profitability.
• Monitor and manage production schedules to ensure customer orders are completed accurately and on time.
• Adjust production runs as needed to meet changing customer requirements or demand forecasts.
• Collaborate directly with customers to clarify specifications resolve issues and ensure satisfaction with product quality and delivery timelines.
• Communicate effectively with internal departments to align production activities with customer expectations and priorities.
• Analyze order trends and customer feedback to anticipate demand changes and proactively adjust operational plans.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of various customer requirements specifications and regulatory standards.
• Ensure compliance with company policies quality systems and customer audit standards to remain audit-ready at all times.
• Ensure accurate use of Berners ERP systems to support planning reporting and operational tracking.
• Set clear measurable goals for production teams and maintain accountability for a staff of approximately 150 employees.
• Develop and maintain robust employee training programs focused on safety compliance and process improvement.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and communicate expectations initiatives and results division-wide.
• Drive data-based decision-making to optimize operations and achieve business targets.
• Maintain expertise in retorted and thermal processes relevant to cheese production.
• Work proactively with the safety director to lead and reinforce safety culture throughout the division.
• Stay current with all regulatory and food safety requirements (SQF HACCP USDA FDA).
• Partner with HR/Talent Acquisition to ensure proper staffing for all shifts and production lines.
• Collaborate with QA and R&D to ensure all products meet or exceed client and regulatory specifications.
• Review production maintenance and operational documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinate with the Maintenance and Reliability teams to maximize equipment uptime and yield.
• Lead and participate in strategic meetings with operations supply chain quality sales and R&D to review performance solve challenges and launch improvement projects.
• Monitor and analyze production yields identifying variances in conjunction with warehousing quality and supply chain.
• Attend and when appropriate lead key operations meetings nurturing communication and alignment across all relevant business units.

Educational and Experience Requirements

Minimum Bachelors Degree.

Minimum 5 years of operations experience in food processing and industrial environments.

Minimum 5 years experience in a manufacturing environment with technical knowledge of production flow in a food manufacturing environment.

Understanding of Lean Manufacturing.

Minimum of 5 years experience with food processing equipment knowledge..

Demonstrated project management skills for complex projects.

Negotiation skills.

Efficient in all computer desktop skills including Excel Word and PowerPoint.

Pay Range: $150000.00 -170000.00 - Salaried (based on experience);

Benefits Offered: Medical Vision Dental Flex Spending Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment; Short and Long Term Disability EAP and 401k.

All job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description must be performed onsite at our designated workplace location. This position does not offer remote hybrid or telecommuting work options. Applicants must be able and willing to work in person as a condition of employment.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may perform other related duties as needed to meet Berner Food & Beverages ongoing needs.