Provide leadership and direction to the employees and teams within the Cheese Department including administration, production, processing, scheduling, sanitation, quality, purchasing, safety and environmental. Effectively communicate and coordinate performance to attain the goals of the plant. Job Duties and Responsibilities: * Responsible for performance of production, focusing on cost, quality, safety, and employee environment. * Develop, troubleshoot, and improve manufacturing processes and equipment with assistance from Plant leadership and support teams. * Monitor and oversee the quality of the finished product by maintaining the equipment and facility in a sanitary condition. * Work with Maintenance and Engineering to coordinate and implement capital projects and maintenance activities. * Provide leadership, direction, and guidance to production and supervisory staff. Develop supervisors to support the plant. * Ensure customer needs are met to include product performance, quality, cost, and timely shipment of orders. * Develop a yearly budget with the Plant Manager. Monitor and control departmental costs in comparison with budgetary objectives. * Promote and enforce safety programs and policies to reduce employee accidents and injuries. * Promote and enforce GMP's, HACCP, quality, and sanitation standards, to ensure product quality and integrity. * Troubleshoot and lead problem solving initiatives through the facilitation of team meetings and on-the-floor leadership. Effectively change systems and update procedures through continuous improvement and effective communication. * Responsible for the daily and weekly production schedules. * Complete paperwork, including production/quality records, master sanitation lists, schedules, accident reports and investigations. * Ensure the consistent application of company policies and procedures. Apply employee progressive disciplinary action in partnership with Human Resources. * Directs the overall activities of the manufacturing facility to ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost to meet the customers' requirements while maintaining established safety and quality standards. * Analyzes plant operations and key metrics to ensure the facility maintains high quality and safety standards. * Is responsible for expense management and control, including shrink, labor, and overhead costs. * Ensures that standard operating procedures are developed and maintained for all aspects of the business. * Cooperates in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the company. * Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager such as, planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating, and delegating. * Provides management of employees directly or through supervisors to ensure effective selection, retention, development, disciplinary action, and performance management.