Process Leader - AM Shift

About the role

Grande Cheese Company is a family owned enterprise built on a tradition, quality and outstanding performance. We are dedicated to our cultural pride, professional excellence and to the dignity and respect of our Associates. Grande operates in a High Performance Work Team (HPWT) structure. A HPWT is an Associate inspired and led journey of continuous growth and improvement to foster Grande Mission and Culture. We strive to empower Associates to develop their knowledge and skills through our Skill Block model. In this model, Associates are assessed and placed into a “skill block” that identifies and aligns with their abilities and knowledge within a specific job area. Along with possessing and maintaining knowledge of those skills, the following describes the overall duties, responsibilities and expectations, encompassing all skill levels, of this position. Not all duties may be required to be performed until the necessary skills are attained. Process Leaders include the positions of Cheesemakers, Whey Process Specialists, Conversion Specialists, Team Leaders, and Mixer Specialists. Individuals in these roles provide leadership, direction, training, and mentoring to Production Associates. They must oversee, delegate, and be able to perform all processes involved in cheese/whey manufacturing, processing and/or distribution ensuring product is produced and delivered according to company specifications, quality and safety objectives.

Responsibilities

• Leadership: Answer process/product related questions to ensure Associates understand and can complete procedures in the most cost efficient manner while producing high quality product. Coordinate and communicate daily schedule, and monitor production and performance throughout the day and provide feedback and recommendations to Operations Management related to procedures, performance, quality, safety, scheduling, labor distribution, cost savings initiatives, and other functional information. Facilitate and lead area meetings to keep Associates informed; establish priorities; review safety, productivity and quality; and to solicit new ideas. Train and mentor new and existing Associates and provide guidance to facilitate learning, enhance skills & knowledge, and improve performance. Address Associate questions, concerns, or problems. Participate in the interview process for new hires.
• Lead Production, Processing & Distribution Operations and Continuous Improvement: Ensure operations are running efficiently and processes meet Grande and regulatory standards. Setup, monitor, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment to ensure everything is operating effectively. Make adjustments as needed to accommodate weight, temperature, time, and sensory changes. Perform preventive/general maintenance as needed to ensure optimal performance. Within production areas, independently carry out critical stage production processes such as mixing, cooking, analyzing, inspecting, and final preparation. Perform testing and inspection, communicate results, and make needed adjustments to processes. Lead and/or participate in continuous improvement (CI) projects for safety, production and quality.
• Sanitation: Perform sanitation of production areas and equipment, which may include: vats, conveyors, machines, tanks, pipes, fans, silos, hoses, and other dairy and packaging equipment. Dismantle, clean, scrub, foam, power wash & rinse, sanitize, de-scale, de-mineralize, and assembly to ensure removal of all debris and build-up. Maintain a clean working area by performing general sanitation including cleaning walls, floors, windows, sinks, scales, drains, footbaths, and electrical panels to keep areas free from pathogens and chemical contamination.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety: Complete all required documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting as required by law and/or regulatory agencies, (i.e. DNR, DOL, EEOC, FDA, IMS, OSHA, SQF, USDA, WDA, etc.). Follow all SAFETY (food & workplace) policies and procedures.
• Additional Responsibilities: Complete required paperwork, logs, and data entry into required computer systems (ERP, Scanworx, PowerApp, D365). Thoroughly understand processes and independently make decisions that affect product quality. Be a resource and assist with training new Associates on equipment and procedures. Work with management and engineering in the installations of new equipment and processes. Follow company policies and procedures. Maintain confidentiality. Provide