Production Manager

Join Our Team at LaClare Creamery!Are you a data-driven, process focused leader with a passion for food manufacturing and operational excellence? LaClare Creamery is looking for a Production Manager to lead our cheese production departments and drive safety, quality, and efficiency in every batch. This is your opportunity to make an impact with a fast-growing, innovative company known for premium dairy products!Why You'll Love This RoleAs our Production Manager, you'll lead an exception team in the cheese make, cheese packaging and sanitation operations, ensuring compliance with food safety standards and delivering exceptional products to our customers. You'll lead continuous improvement projects, foster a culture of engagement, promote employee development and collaborate across teams to achieve strategic goals.Location: Malone, WI - role is 100% on siteReports to: Director of OperationsWhat You'll DoLead and drive a plant safety culture, putting safety first in all responsibilities.Oversee daily production operations, set production schedules and ensure schedules are met accurately and on time.Monitor KPI's and analyze data to understand department performance and drive improvement.Manage improvement projects in efficiency, yield, and employee development.Investigate non-conformities and implement corrective and preventative actions.Maintain audit-ready standards and regulatory compliance (FSMA, OSHA, PMO, WDATCP).Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet operational and strategic objectives.What We're Looking ForWe need a leader with a passion to win who thrives in a fast-paced environment and brings:5+ years of food manufacturing experience in dynamic environments3+ years of supervisory/leadership experience, including team developmentData-driven, process focused leadershipThe ability to identify opportunities and develop solutionsCommitment to employee safety and training initiativesKnowledge of food safety standards, cheese production processes, and pasteurization techniques (preferred)Experience with project management and Lean process improvementWhy Join LaClare Creamery?Be part of a growing, innovative company known for premium dairy products.Work in a collaborative environment that values integrity, accountability, and ownership.Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.We offer competitive compensation & full benefits!Key Tasks & ResponsibilitiesLead and drive plant safety culture and put safety first in all responsibilities.Lead and foster a culture of employee engagement/ownership, continuous improvement, accountability, and learning.Assist in the development of plant metrics in the areas of safety, quality, efficiency, yield, and employee retention using complex data analysis. Drive results against key performance indicators in the areas of safety, quality, efficiency, yield, and employee retention.Set staffing levels including reviewing, proposing and adjusting staffing levels to meet the needs of the organization.Oversee daily operations and direct team to ensure all tasks are completed on time and accurately. Establish and execute on weekly production schedules using scheduling system/methodology. Develop plans for optimal use of materials, machines and personnel.Lead production project management. Identify continuous improvement opportunities in the areas of efficiency, yield and employee development, develop the project plan, manage the project including sustaining results.Assign audits and organization of production programs to maintain audit-ready standards every day.Lead production non-conformity investigations, driving to root cause and creation of corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).Maintain current knowledge of pasteurization concepts and regulatory requirements. Support appointed production liaison for regulatory and customer inspections and ensure corrective actions are completed.Maintain strong knowledge of local, state and federal regulations as it pertains to functional areas (FSMA, OSHA, PMO, WDATCP, Bioterrorism).Implement standard work for all production duties that detail each step in cheese make and packaging procedures to ensure accurate, consistent, safe, and quality products every time.Maintain current knowledge of cheese manufacturing process, food safety controls and sanitation programs.Follows all policies and procedures LaClare Creamery has implemented regarding food and personal safety to assist in maintaining a safe work environment and safe, quality products at all times. Lives the Mosaic Way while promoting our values and culture drivers.Other job duties as required and assigned.Education, Experience & AttributesMinimum 5-7 years of food manufacturing experience required, with proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-volume environments.Minimum of 3-5 years of supervisory/leadership experience, including performance management and team development preferred.Demonstrated success collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve operational and strategic goals required.Proficient in analyzing complex data sets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that inform strategic decision-making.Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint is required. Experience with SharePoint and Power BI preferred.Strong commitment to employee safety and training initiatives, driving compliance and continuous improvement preferred.Knowledge of food safety standards, cheese production processes, and dairy pasteurization knowledge/techniques preferred.Project management experience, including planning, execution, and delivery of cross-functional initiatives.Experience with Lean process improvement principles to optimize efficiency and reduce waste preferred.Benefits:401(k)401(k) matchingDental insuranceEmployee assistance programEmployee discountHealth insurancePaid time offProfessional development assistanceReferral programRetirement planVision insurance

Created: 2026-03-10