HiFyve is hiring a Cheese Production Manager in the Food Production industry in Zumbrota, MN!

Salary: $115K–$140K/year

Shift: Could be working 1st shift, 2nd shift, 3rd shift and have 12 hour days

Location: Zumbrota, MN

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction to Cheese, Intake, and Evaporator Departments including production, processing, scheduling, sanitation, quality, purchasing, safety, and environmental.
• Manage critical cheese-making processes to ensure consistent product quality while optimizing yields and efficiencies.
• Develop, troubleshoot, and improve manufacturing processes and equipment in collaboration with plant leadership and support teams.
• Oversee finished product quality by maintaining sanitary equipment and facilities.
• Manage recipes and formulations to maximize yield, quality, and overall performance.
• Communicate process changes, quality issues, trials, and operational updates to Team Leads, Supervisors, and Plant leadership.
• Mentor, train, and develop Operators, Team Leads, and Supervisors.
• Coordinate capital projects and maintenance activities with Maintenance and Engineering.
• Develop and manage daily, weekly, and yearly production schedules.
• Develop annual departmental budgets with the Plant Manager and monitor costs against objectives.
• Promote and enforce safety programs, GMPs, HACCP, quality, and sanitation standards.
• Lead problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives using root cause analysis and lean manufacturing principles.
• Ensure customer requirements are met for quality, cost, performance, and on-time delivery.
• Manage expense control including labor, shrink, and overhead.
• Ensure SOPs are developed, maintained, and followed across operations.
• Partner with Quality to determine disposition of product based on specifications.
• Apply company policies consistently, including performance management and progressive discipline with HR support.
• Analyze plant operations and KPIs to maintain high safety, quality, and productivity standards.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable discipline preferred
• OR High School Diploma / GED with applicable manufacturing experience
• Cheese Makers Certification preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 3+ years of managerial experience in a dairy processing facility.
• Strong knowledge of cheese manufacturing, packaging, and processing technologies.
• Expertise in lean manufacturing principles (Kaizen, 5S, TPM, Six Sigma).
• High-level knowledge of food safety, food quality, and manufacturing efficiencies.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in root cause analysis (5 Whys, fishbone, Pareto).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, Minitab).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership ability with experience coaching, motivating, and developing teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing operational needs.
• Understanding of cost containment and budget management principles.
• Ability to work flexible hours including weekends.