Description AMPI owns seven Midwest-based manufacturing plants where 10 percent of the nation's American-type cheese, processed cheese and butter is produced. The cooperative's award-winning cheese, butter and powdered dairy products are marketed to foodservice, retail and food ingredient customers. In 2019, the co-op launched its Dinner Bell Creamery brand and accompanying Co-op Crafted promise, highlighting more than 50 years of dairy farm families partnering with skilled buttermakers and cheesemakers. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time: All AMPI employees have an obligation to report employee safety, food safety and food quality issues to personnel of authority. This position has a heightened food safety and food quality responsibilities. Monitor quality specifications for milk, whey, and cheese production with awareness of customer expectations. Leads troubleshooting problems associated with major customer complaints. Drives Continuous Improvement by having a working knowledge of all equipment and processes and procedures to reduce downtime, reduce costs, and increase efficiency while meeting production deadlines. Continually work with the cheese and whey divisions to reduce under-grade product. Leads approved capital projects with direction from Vice President of Manufacturing that will lead to cost saving measures which will contribute to overall profits and revenue to the Understands business implications of decisions while displaying an orientation to profitability. Includes staff at Divisions in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement. Makes oneself available to staff, and mentors plant staff in development of skills and helps guide them with training opportunities. Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals and adapts strategy to changing conditions. Creates a positive team with the ability to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives. Ability to manage projects by creating workable plans; communicates changes effectively and builds commitment and overcomes resistance. Will provide a weekly summary report to Vice President of Manufacturing. Develops realistic action plans, by prioritizing and planning work activities. Plans for additional resources as needed. Ability to react well under pressure. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position. Accepts responsibility for own actions and follows through on commitments. Leads and guides all safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity to Division Manager. Troubleshoot wastewater issues such has BOD reduction, TSS, chlorides, phosphorous. Find ways to eliminate loadings. Work with sanitation crews and chemical companies to troubleshoot sanitation issues. Maintains professional and technical knowledge in areas of responsibility by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, researching topics, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies. Ensure each division has a Mass Balance report for cheese and whey processes. Start-up and commissioning of new equipment and processes, help divisions develop SOP's. Evaluate Starter-activity, vat performance and carry through, contamination, rotation programs and all facets of same including media preparation and processing aids. Cheese grading: Holds a current Wisconsin Graders license Grades fresh, medium, and aged curd of blocks, barrels, etc. Engage division managers/graders in sources of defects; and seeks to find and eliminate all causative factors. Works with buyers and other graders on their grading platforms. Defends against "Market Grading" situations. Works with USDA and suppliers as necessary. Manufacturing: Master Cheese Maker certification. Works with and implements procedures in all plants. Compet nt and able to upgrade plant procedures, equipment, and general plant facilities including but not restricted to yields, make times and costs, flavors, body, colors, salt levels, acidities and pHs, packaging, aging characteristics, weights, code dates, air quality/control, production equipment and general plant cleanup, and whey handling in the plants. Makes recommendations for changes in policies and procedures that increase efficiencies, improve services, and/or reduce costs. Quality Improvement: Assesses plant needs and assists in setting up and maintaining programs to meet these needs. Marketing: Cooperate with the marketing department as situations and needs require in the areas of customer/consumer complaints, compliance to customers' specifications, and the development of new cheese styles/varieties as needed. Communicates with outside contacts in a friendly, pleasant and professional manner. Training: Performs training by means of active listening and coaching, and by example. Travels on company business within a four-state area over 70% of the time. Performs other duties as assigned. An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principle and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, Microbiology, or a related area - or its equivalent 4-5 years cheese making/grading experience BENEFITS/REWARDS AMPI offers competitive starting pay, PTO, 401k, short-term disability, health, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance programs and more. Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Military and veterans are encouraged to apply. B SUMMARY: Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) Equal Opportunity Employer minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity. If you require reasonable accommodation to apply toward our positions, please reach out to 1-800-533-3580 or hr@ampi.com for assistance. NO AGENCIES, PLEASE.