Dairy Farmers of America

posted 6 months ago

Full-time - Senior
Remote
Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Director of Process Technology at Dairy Farmers of America is a pivotal role responsible for directing the design, development, and implementation of process-related initiatives that support the manufacturing plants. This position requires a strong technical and product group leadership to successfully implement new processes and process improvements that align with customer expectations and the company's safety, quality, profit, and growth targets across the division. The role is remote but requires frequent travel, estimated at 50% to 75%, which may involve up to two weeks per month on the road. In this role, the Director will collaborate with the division's functional teams to apply food science and technology principles to process development and commercialization activities. They will lead initiatives with customers and internal functions to enhance connectivity and experience through the application of process innovations and technology. The Director will also work closely with customers in multi-disciplinary teams to improve product performance and quality while optimizing costs. Benchmarking both internal and external process capabilities and performance will be a key responsibility, as will leading initiatives for improvement and standardization. The Director will act as the chairman of the combustible dust and dryer safety committee, preparing and leading periodic committee meetings, setting standards for dryer safety systems, performing dust hazard analyses, and conducting asset safety audits. They will investigate dryer safety events and provide input for dryer safety-related capital expenditure projects. Building strong working relationships with stakeholders is essential to ensure project objectives and timelines are met, and the Director will serve on cross-functional teams while supporting direct reports in similar efforts. Additionally, the Director will lead problem-solving efforts on complex formulation and processing challenges, which may involve collaboration with customers, vendors, and equipment suppliers. They will coach and partner with operations leaders, technical functions, sales, and marketing to enhance the organization's understanding of asset capabilities and process/product knowledge. Establishing processes and visible action plans to identify and mitigate risks through design, operation, training, and control of change will be crucial. The Director will also manage the department budget, identify and implement cost-saving measures, and work with finance to analyze financial data. This role requires a proactive approach to performance management, including providing ongoing feedback and conducting performance conversations with direct reports. The Director will serve as a change agent, helping others adapt to and follow new processes while maintaining discipline in business processes and flexibility to respond to changing customer demands.

Responsibilities

  • Direct the design, development, and implementation of process-related initiatives in support of manufacturing plants.
  • Provide technical and product group leadership to implement new processes and improvements.
  • Work with functional teams to apply food science and technology principles to process development.
  • Lead initiatives with customers and internal functions to improve connectivity and experience through process innovations.
  • Collaborate with customers in multi-disciplinary teams to enhance product performance and quality while optimizing costs.
  • Benchmark process capability and performance and lead initiatives for improvement and standardization.
  • Grow knowledge of emerging technology and apply concepts to existing or proposed assets.
  • Act as chairman of the combustible dust and dryer safety committee, leading meetings and setting safety standards.
  • Work closely with stakeholders to ensure project objectives and timelines are met.
  • Lead problem-solving on difficult formulation and processing problems.
  • Coach and partner with operations leaders and technical functions to advance knowledge of asset capability.
  • Establish processes and action plans to identify and mitigate risks.
  • Manage department budget and identify cost-saving measures.
  • Provide ongoing performance feedback and conduct performance conversations with direct reports.

Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree in food science, engineering, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education).
  • 10 or more years of experience in dairy products manufacturing, including spray-dried dairy products.
  • 5+ years of management experience.
  • In-depth understanding of food chemistry, microbiology, and dairy processing.
  • Strong leadership skills and ability to consider the impact of product changes on various factors.
  • Ability to balance strategic views with execution aspects of the role.
  • Expertise in coordinating and integrating work efforts cross-functionally.
  • Excellent negotiation and communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

  • Certification and/or License may be required during the course of employment.
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