Manufacturing Rotational Leader

Location: Tillamook

Manufacturing Rotational Leader

Come join the Tillamook Team, one of the fastest-growing dairy brands in the US, where we Play to Win to create over 200 dairy products in 7 different categories: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, cream cheese and frozen meals. Our Uncompromising Quality has led us to become the #1 Cheddar, #2 Cream Cheese and #3 Family Size Ice Cream brand, but we're not stopping there.

We're loading up for our best years to come and want you to join us.

As a farmer-owned cooperative since 1909, we know that being Good Stewards for our stakeholders and doing a little extra always pays off. We're looking for team members with a One Team and Genuine Care mindset who are inspired to share the delight of the Tillamook brand with each other and others every day.

What you will do:

The Manufacturing Rotational Leader is a limited duration, developmental role designed to prepare high-potential talent for future manufacturing leadership positions. Over a period of up to 18 months, the individual will rotate through six core manufacturing departments, gaining hands-on operational leadership experience, building enterprise perspective, and developing the leadership competencies required for leadership roles within Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA).

Each rotation lasts approximately three months and concludes with a formal presentation to site leadership, highlighting operational insights, improvement opportunities, performance trends, and leadership learnings. The role reports directly to the Senior Director of Plant Operations and works closely with department leaders across the plant.

Department Rotations

The role will rotate through the following departments:

• Cheese Production

• Ice Cream Production

• Whey Production

• Cheese Packaging

• Cold Storage

• Traffic

Rotation sequencing may vary based on plant needs, prior experience, and development objectives.

Position will require a varied schedule, including days, afternoons, nights, weekends, and holidays as required by rotation.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve in a supervisory capacity across assigned departments, supporting day-to-day operations, shift execution, and frontline team performance aligned with safety, quality, productivity, efficiency, and cost control expectations, including labor and operating supplies.

• Lead and coach frontline employees through effective communication, accountability, and engagement, fostering a positive, inclusive, and safety-focused work environment consistent with TCCA values and leadership behaviors.

• Partner with department leaders to understand end-to-end production flows, equipment capabilities, interdependencies, and operational priorities across the plant, including coordination with maintenance and operators to troubleshoot equipment and production issues.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, productivity, labor utilization, waste, and cost; apply data-driven problem solving; and support corrective actions to address performance gaps and operational challenges.

• Learn and apply TCCA leadership expectations, labor practices, performance management fundamentals, and foundational financial acumen, including cost drivers related to labor, ingredients, and operating supplies.

• Reinforce safe work practices and actively participate in safety reviews, incident investigations, and improvement initiatives to reduce risk and improve workplace safety performance.

• Uphold all food safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including compliance with USDA, OSDA, and FDA regulations, as well as adherence to SOPs, GMPs, continuous improvement standards, the SQF system, and third-party audit requirements.

• Take appropriate action on all food safety and quality issues that are reported or observed, ensuring timely resolution, documentation, and escalation when required.

• Identify and support continuous improvement opportunities, including participation in Lean or operational excellence initiatives, while building business acumen related to cost control, labor utilization, production planning, ingredient usage, inventory impacts, and overall operational efficiency.

• Prepare and deliver a formal quarterly presentation at the conclusion of each rotation to site leadership that provides an overview of department operations and performance, cost and efficiency considerations, key learnings and leadership observations, identified risks and opportunities with recommendations, and personal leadership development reflections.

Development & Assignment Structure

• The role is a temporary developmental assignment of up to 18 months.

• Program completion is intended to result in placement into a role; however, role type, level (supervisory or non-supervisory), timing, and location are not guaranteed and depend on business needs.

• Performance, engagement, and leadership potential will be evaluated throughout the program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required

• High school diploma or GED. Bachelor's degree is preferred;…