Factory Director

Reporting to: Head of Operations - North America About the Role The Plant leader will lead all operations of the facility, ensuring the plant is safely, efficiently, and sustainably brought to full-scale production. This role requires a hands-on, strategic leader with deep experience in dairy manufacturing, strong technical knowledge of processing equipment, and the ability to build high-performing teams. The Factory Director will be responsible for establishing operational systems, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory, quality, and safety standards What You'll Do Oversee commissioning, validation, and optimization of all processing lines, utilities, and support systems. Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all production and support functions. Establish preventive maintenance programs and reliability standards. Leadership & Team Development Recruit, train, and mentor a new operations team, including production, maintenance, quality, and logistics staff. Build a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. Provide clear performance expectations and conduct regular evaluations. Production & Operations Management Lead daily plant operations to meet production targets, efficiency goals, and quality standards. Monitor KPIs such as throughput, yield, downtime, waste, and labor efficiency. Ensure optimal use of raw milk and ingredients to maximize product quality and minimize losses. Coordinate with supply chain teams to manage inventory, scheduling, and distribution. Quality Assurance & Food Safety Ensure full compliance with dairy industry regulations, including FDA, USDA, HACCP, GMP, and local food safety requirements. Partner with the Quality Manager to maintain product integrity and respond to deviations or non-conformances. Drive a culture of food safety awareness across all departments. Maintenance & Reliability Oversee maintenance programs to ensure equipment uptime and long-term reliability. Implement root-cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment failures. Manage spare parts inventory and maintenance budgets. Financial & Strategic Management Develop and manage plant budgets, cost controls, and capital expenditures. Identify opportunities for cost reduction, process optimization, and operational excellence. Provide regular operational reports to senior leadership. Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance Ensure a safe working environment through rigorous adherence to safety protocols and training. Maintain compliance with environmental regulations related to wastewater, emissions, and waste handling. Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions. About You Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field. 10+ years of experience in food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a high-level leadership role. Proven experience in major operational transitions. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams. Deep understanding of HACCP, GMP, and regulatory compliance. Experience with automated processing systems and digital manufacturing tools. Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement certification. Total Performance Management, World-class Manufacturing or like CI environment experience Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. What's next If this position sounds interesting, please hit the apply button now! #LI-AM1 #LI-Onsite