31 Best champion Jobs in Buffalo, New York (December 2025)

Plant Manager

4 days ago

Buffalo

Job Description Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day. The Plant Manager provides strategic and hands-on leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality dairy production. This position is accountable for daily operations, including production, maintenance, quality, and workforce development. The Plant Manager drives a culture rooted in the Seven for Success (SFS) framework — championing Safety first, maintaining the highest Quality standards, improving Productivity, strengthening Customer Service relationships, promoting open Communication, developing employees through Training, and fostering Continuous Improvement in every process. This individual serves as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and collaborates across departments to support growth, modernization, and organizational excellence. Key Responsibilities: Oversee Daily Production Operations • Direct all plant operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and cost targets are achieved., • Maintain effective communication across shifts to ensure consistent performance., • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations (FDA, USDA, HAACP, OSHA, SQF, etc.)., • Partner with Quality Assurance to uphold product integrity and food safety systems., • Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and frontline employees to foster a culture of accountability and teamwork., • Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as throughput, yield, OEE, quality, and labor efficiency., • Develop and manage annual operating budgets and capital plans., • Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and CI efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce waste., • Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Finance, and HR to achieve business objectives., • Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend equipment life., • Promote a proactive safety culture with zero tolerance for unsafe practices., • Develop and execute long-term operational strategies that align with cooperative growth objectives., • Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others responsible for meeting commitments., • Communicates Effectively: Delivers clear, timely, and respectful communication across levels., • Manages Complexity: Makes sound decisions amid uncertainty and competing priorities., • Customer Focus: Builds strong relationships and ensures satisfaction through consistent quality and service., • Directs Work: Delegates effectively and sets clear expectations for performance and results., • Financial Acumen: Understands budgets, cost drivers, and financial impacts of operational decisions., • Drives Results: Consistently delivers against production, safety, and financial targets. Manufacturing Systems and Process Knowledge • Deep understanding of dairy and food processing systems including pasteurization, separation, homogenization, and packaging., • Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), and 5S workplace organization., • Proficiency in HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, and state regulatory requirements., • Skilled in root cause analysis (RCA), corrective/preventive action (CAPA), and audit management., • Knowledge of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), preventive and predictive maintenance strategies., • Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)., • Application of Lean Six Sigma tools (5 Whys, DMAIC, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, SPC)., • Proven ability to lead process-improvement teams to reduce waste and enhance yield., • Experience with ERP systems such as SAP S/4HANA for production planning, scheduling, and inventory control., • Strong command of Integrated Business Planning (IBP), Master Production Scheduling (MPS), and Material Requirements Planning (MRP)., • Working knowledge of OSHA standards, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and confined space entry procedures., • Familiarity with environmental regulations related to wastewater, energy management, and waste disposal., • Ability to manage plant budgets, capital projects, and cost-control initiatives., • Understanding of key cost drivers such as labor, energy, and materials., • Experience implementing competency-based training programs and on-the-job learning systems., • Ability to use digital training tools (Enable Now, WalkMe, LMS platforms)., • Familiarity with Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing tools such as IoT sensors and predictive analytics., • Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, or related field (preferred)., • Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in food or dairy manufacturing., • Strong knowledge of GMP, SQF, HACCP, and other regulatory standards., • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage change., • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (SAP experience preferred)., • Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to temperature variation, noise, and physical activity., • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. *The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays. Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Champion jobs in Buffalo, New YorkCreate job alerts

Popular jobs searches in Buffalo, New York

Popular champion jobs locations