About Us
Foremost Farms USA is one of the largest, leading dairy cooperatives in the United States and major dairy food and ingredients manufacturing business. We represent hundreds of Midwest dairy farmer members located in seven Midwest states, and we produce about 500 million pounds of cheese and 50 million pounds of butter in plants across our network every year. "We Bring Dairy to Life" in seven manufacturing plants across Wisconsin and Michigan and in our headquarters in Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin; and we’re looking for employees who are innovative and aim for excellence in our wide variety of production, field and business roles. Join us!
About This Opportunity
JOB TITLE: Vice President Manufacturing and Engineering
POSITION TYPE: Full time
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
The Vice President of Manufacturing and Engineering will lead manufacturing performance and engineering capability to deliver safe, efficient, and standardized operations aligned with business strategy. This role is responsible for end-to-end operational performance across seven dairy processing plants, to deliver quality finished products that consistently meet the needs of our customers. The Vice President of Manufacturing and Engineering collaborates extensively with internal interdisciplinary teams (Sales, Finance, Human Resources, R&D, EHS, etc.) to ensure product composition, production methodologies and people management priorities are aligned and consistent with Foremost Farms USA protocol. This role is also responsible for developing and mentoring manufacturing and engineering leaders to effectively lead their teams in a manner that drives a positive culture and employee engagement. This is a senior leadership role that blends strategy, execution, and leadership.
People and Organization Leadership
Mentor, coach and build plant leaders to enhance their performance and be a positive influence across the cooperative
Drive results through positive coaching of our management operation systems (SCORE) to engage the plant teams and drive results in a sustainable manner. Adopt and lead the ProAction methodology across all sites
Drive a people-centric culture of transparency and curiosity that engages teams to drive exceptional performance
Partner with HR to assess plant leadership talent, developing active development plans and succession plans for each plant. Actively work to build a leadership pipeline
Partner with HR to build and lead action plans to improve employee experience, engagement and satisfaction at each site
Partner with HR to develop and support programs that contribute to a positive employee relations strategy
Manufacturing Operations Leadership
Own overall manufacturing performance, ensuring compliance and standards on employee safety, food safety, quality, environmental, sustainability, cost, and productivity
Drive continuous improvement, efficiency, and standardize best practices across facilities
Ensure operations run reliably and predictably
Develop departmental budgets, forecast expenses, and identify alternatives and cost savings
Partner with Quality to drive transparent First Pass Quality results. Ultimately reducing losses/downgrades, minimizing customer complaints, and improving capability
This role has oversight of and will adhere to the monitoring and/or verifying of control points occurs and that the required documentation is completed.
Engineering Leadership
Oversee manufacturing, automation and controls, maintenance reliability, and capital engineering
In partnership with the Senior Director of Engineering, align the organization on a muti-year capitalization plan for maintenance investment
In partnership with the Director of Maintenance Reliability, ensure risk-based maintenance plans and programs are in place to increase efficiency and quality across all plants
Strategy and Transformation Leadership
Lead operational turnaround or scale-up initiatives
Modernize plants, systems and skill sets
Act as a technical resource to address and help resolve inquiries and problems regarding production, quality, and work issues focusing on root cause
In cooperation with commercial, R&D, and Quality, identify and implement the product mix for a multi-plant network that maximizes profitability and product quality
Partner with other senior leaders to build a culture that aligns with the standards of Foremost Farms’ mission, values and purpose and work cross functionally with other departments
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of 15 years of progressive work experience executing and leading manufacturing and/or engineering operations. Preferably in the dairy, food and beverage, or consumer-packaged goods industry
At least 5 years in a senior leadership role (leading leaders, setting direction, delivering results, and building an organization that outperforms overtime)
Experience stabilizing and scaling distressed manufacturing operations
Experience leading in a union environment
Bachelor’s degree with a Business, Engineering or related field major, from an accredited college/university
Preferred Qualifications
Strategic business development agility and ability to translate vision into actions
Dynamic, motivating, influential leader who manages with vision and purpose
Demonstrated experience delivering success through others
Demonstrated experience implementing lean manufacturing principles or total productive maintenance (TPM)
Ability to effectively deal with ambiguity and pressure
Strong business and financial acumen
People-centric coaching skills
Ability to attract, develop and retain high quality talent
Solid decision-making ability with a bias for action and results
Physical Setting
This is a hybrid role based in Middleton, WI. The role requires a balance of time between the corporate office in Middleton and travel to our manufacturing facilities, with approximately 50% spent in each setting. All manufacturing sites operate 24/7. Six manufacturing sites are located across Wisconsin, and one is in Michigan.
Benefits:
At Foremost Farms, we believe that you and your family matter most. That’s why we’re proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and competitive benefits packages in the area — designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.
This job summary is intended to be brief and does not list all the duties for this position. Nothing in this job description should be construed as an express or implied contract of employment. Foremost Farms USA is an at-will employer, which means that either party is free to terminate the employment relationship at any time, without any advanced notice, for any reason or no reason.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled are encouraged to apply.
At Foremost Farms USA, we believe that employee diversity brings strength to our organization. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disabilities, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
Successful completion of pre-employment screening is required, which could include a drug test, background check, and other verifications or assessments to be sure you will be able to succeed in your position.
Are you ready to Be Foremost?
Apply today at www.foremostfarms.com