Plant Manager Processing & Bottling Vnb

Join the Valley Natural Beverages team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our start up facility in Bakersfield, CA.
California Dairies, Inc. is the leading dairy processing cooperative in California. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we operate several processing facilities located throughout California. CDI employees are highly valued and are provided with competitive benefits packages and career growth plans. Valley Natural Beverages is the newest of our manufacturing facilities. and will be located in Bakersfield, CA.
What we offer you in return!

• Competitive wages - $106,505 - $170,000
• Family medical/dental/vision
• Generous company contributions to 401k
• Relocation Assistance
• 10 Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement

The Plant Manager is a key member of the plant leadership team and is responsible for building and leading a "Best in Class" Plant Operations Team that is focused on Total Plant Operational Excellence. As such, the Plant Manager will be responsible to create an environment that promotes individual team member success, effective collaboration between departments and establishes a culture that always believes in getting better. The Plant Manager is the primary owner of all plant operation's KPIs related to team member safety, food safety, product quality, plant operational performance, waste control and cost control.
Essential Functions:

• The development of all plant operations staff; including identifying skills needs and training opportunities to ensure "Best in Class" plant performance.
• Ensure effective planning, scheduling and execution of all production activities to allow for highest possible plant performance.
• Ensure regulatory compliance to all Federal, State, and Local requirements as pertaining to UHT, ESL, Low Acid Aseptic Fluid Milk Bottling plant.
• Ensure compliance to all customer co-packing requirements.
• Ensure compliance to all corporate and plant safety, quality and GMP requirements.
• Oversee development, implementation, training and long-term adherence to meet Plant Operation's Team owned KPI's in the following areas:


• Team Member Safety
• Food Safety & Product Quality

• Team Member Job Satisfaction and individual Team Member Development

• Daily Team Direction Setting Meetings
• Job Specific Standardized Work and Associated Training
• OEE, Schedule Adherence and Operational Controlled Uptime
• Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action
• CIL and Master Sanitation Schedules
• Center-lining and Defect Identification
• PM Compliance, CMMS Utilization and Autonomous Work requirements
• Waste, Variance Control and Manufacturing Cost per Unit.
• Plant Operations Operating Expenses
• Labor & Overtime Budgets
• Cost Savings Identification & Cost Savings Justification


• Actively support and promote a plant culture that believes in always getting better.
• Ensure effective collaboration and positive teamwork between all departments.
• Lead by example with integrity and a commitment to always do it right.
• Must always look forward to identify and prevent potential failure modes.
• Identify and share new technologies, new equipment and new processes that will continue to maintain VNB's place as the industry leader.
• Identify when your support is needed by members of your team or other plant teams (at all hours) and be present to give support when needed.
• Always represent VNB in a positive manner to vendors, contractors, team members, visitors, etc

Qualifications required:

• High level understanding of UHT, ESL and Aseptic processing of low acid products.
• Excellent understanding of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance
• Understanding and ability to comply with Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Working knowledge of ERP, MES, WMS, QMS, and CMMS systems.
• History of successfully building and leading "Operational Excellence" activities.
• History developing new processes, implementing new processes and training team members on new processes.
• New plant start-up experience is a plus.
• Effectively problem solve.
• Able to communicate effectively with all levels inside and outside of the organization.
• Excellent leadership skills and a desire to serve others

Education and/or Experience

• Minimum of 10 years combined experience working in supervisory and or managerial roles in an ESL and/or low acid aseptic bottling operation or equivalent preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in a Science or Engineering discipline is preferred
• Certificate of Completion from Better Process Controls School or equivalent preferred

Language Skills
A well-modulated tonal volume is required with excellent diction skills needed.
Reasoning Ability
Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form. Must have the ability to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands, walks and sits during completion of job responsibilities.
Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. on an occasional basis.
Pushing/Pulling: Occasional pushing or pulling requirements.
Bending/Stooping: Occasional bending and stooping requirements.
Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Occasional kneeling or crawling requirements.
Twisting/Turning: Ongoing twisting or turning requirements.
Climbing/Balancing: Climbing and balancing is required during plant inspections, and other related job requirements.
Reaching: Ongoing reaching requirements associated with job requirements.
Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. Ability to keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.
Equipment
Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to: hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be employed at all times.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Employees will be subject to temperatures associated with an air-cooled room.
ADA/FEHA
The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.
EEO
The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.