Packaging Manager; 2nd Shift

The Packaging Manager - 2nd Shift reports to the Production Manager and is responsible for leading all packaging operations during the assigned shift, ensuring the safe and efficient production of high-quality dairy products. This position provides leadership and direction for packaging personnel, equipment reliability, sanitation activities, and daily operational performance while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development.

Working cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Processing, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams, the Packaging Manager – 2nd Shift ensures compliance with food safety, quality, environmental, sanitation and regulatory standards while achieving production and efficiency targets.

There will be a need for 50-75% travel to other Daisy facilities for onboarding for the first 6-9 months. Once onboarding is complete the ongoing travel expectation is up to 25% until plant startup. Post plant startup travel is as needed.

For Boone, IA location:
The position is currently located at a temporary office in Ames, IA. Expected in 2028, upon completion of construction, the position will be moving to be onsite at our new manufacturing plant in Boone, IA.

• Lead all packaging operations during the assigned shift to ensure production targets, quality standards, and customer requirements are consistently achieved.
• Direct daily activities of the packaging team while supporting personnel to maximize operational efficiency and production effectiveness.
• Coordinate packaging schedules and operational priorities with Processing, Quality, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams.
• Monitor operational performance metrics and drive actions to improve throughput, labor utilization, and overall line efficiency.

• Foster and maintain a strong safety culture by promoting safe work practices and ensuring compliance with all company safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety programs, sanitation requirements, HACCP principles, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Maintain accountability for product quality and immediately address food safety, product quality, or sanitation concerns.
• Lead investigations and corrective actions related to safety incidents, quality defects, customer concerns, and food safety issues.
• Maintain readiness for internal audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits.

• Lead, coach, and develop direct reports to build a highly engaged and high-performing team. Ensure employees receive appropriate training and resources to safely and effectively perform their responsibilities.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing feedback, and implement development plans to strengthen employee capabilities.
• Support packaging team planning activities including hiring, onboarding, training, succession planning, and retention initiatives.
• Foster a work environment that promotes accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and positive employee relations.

• Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, and operational excellence.
• Analyze production data and performance trends to identify opportunities for process optimization and waste reduction.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Lead or support equipment upgrades, line modifications, and capital improvement projects.
• Support annual planning efforts and contribute to achieving plant financial objectives.

• Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, Technical Services, Maintenance, Procurement, and external vendors to support new products, packaging technologies, and process improvements.
• Facilitate communication and alignment between departments to ensure efficient product flow and issue resolution.
• Participate in strategic projects designed to improve operational capability, capacity, quality, and efficiency.

Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing Management, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing leadership…