Plant Operations Manager- Farmers Creamery

Open Gates Group, based near Kalona, IA, is a family of companies dedicated to the growth and manufacturing of local dairy products. What began as a single creamery has grown into 11 businesses that source, produce, and deliver high-quality Midwestern products to over 3,500 stores nationwide. Our unique organic milk comes from grass-fed cows on small family farms, pasteurized at the lowest legal temperature, non-homogenized, and verified regenerative through Land to Market- which means that our cows are grazed in a way that enhances the environment, rather than harming it. We're looking for a hands-on Plant Operations Manager to lead our dairy production manufacturing efforts at Farmers Creamery. SUMMARY The Plant Operations Manager is a hands-on leader responsible for overseeing all daily production plant operations, while driving performance through strong leadership, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. In partnership with operations leaders and cross-functional teams, this role fosters a safe and high-performing manufacturing environment, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality products that meet customer expectations. This position is highly visible on the production floor and requires a leader who can develop people, solve problems in real time, and translate operational data into actionable improvements. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Team Development Provide overall leadership, direction, and coordination for plant operations. Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and production teams to build a strong leadership pipeline. Create a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning. Conduct regular coaching conversations, performance feedback, and development planning. Ensure staffing, training, and team structure support operational goals. Promote a positive, team-oriented environment that reinforces safety, quality, and operational excellence. Operations Management Oversee all daily plant operations, including production and manufacturing activities. Ensure production schedules are executed efficiently to meet customer demand and business objectives. Monitor operations to ensure adherence to plant and corporate procedures. Maintain high standards for safety, efficiency, and product consistency. Increase production asset capacity and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs. Food Safety & Quality Adhere to quality work practices, follow GMPs, and maintain sanitary conditions at all times. Ensure compliance with all food safety and regulatory requirements (GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, FDA, USDA, Organic). Reinforce a strong food safety culture across all teams. Investigate quality or compliance issues, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions. Performance Metrics & Analytics Develop, track, and analyze key production KPIs (e.g., yield, throughput, downtime, labor efficiency, quality metrics). Translate operational data into insights that drive performance improvements. Establish standards for performance and accountability across teams. Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities using data-driven analysis. Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving Identify and implement strategies to improve plant performance and exceed KPIs. Lead root cause analysis and structured problem-solving initiatives. Monitor operations to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies; implement sustainable solutions. Drive process improvements that enhance productivity, quality, and cost efficiency. Support and lead change initiatives, including new processes, equipment, or technologies. Collaboration & Communication Partner with cross-functional teams including Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, R D, and HR. Communicate clear expectations, goals, and performance updates across all levels of the organization. Align operational priorities with broader business objectives. Lead regular production meetings focused on safety, performance, and continuous improvement. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Agriculture, Engineering, Operations, or related field preferred. 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in dairy, food manufacturing, or fluid processing environments. Strong knowledge of food safety and regulatory compliance (GMP, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, FDA, USDA). Proven ability to lead teams, develop people, and drive operational results. Demonstrated experience with KPI development, performance metrics, and data analysis. Strong problem-solving skills with experience in root cause analysis and process improvement. Excellent communication and leadership presence with the ability to influence across teams. Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives. PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT Frequent presence on the production floor. Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift as needed. Exposure to production environments, including cold temperatures, humidity, chemicals, and moving mechanical equipment. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Strong, engaged teams with clear accountability and development pathways Measurable improvements in key production KPIs Reduced downtime, waste, and inefficiencies Consistent delivery of safe, high-quality products A culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence Requirements: