Valley Milk, LLC | Turlock, California
Valley Milk is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Plant Manager to lead our world-class dairy ingredient manufacturing facility in Turlock, California.
This is an opportunity to join a growing organization that combines the stability of family ownership with an entrepreneurial culture focused on continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.
Our state-of-the-art facility processes more than 2.5 million pounds of milk each day, producing premium dairy ingredients including milk powders, anhydrous milk fat (AMF), and ultra-filtered milk for domestic and international markets.
If you are passionate about building high-performing teams, improving manufacturing performance through Lean principles, and leading one of California's premier dairy processing operations, we want to hear from you.
State-of-the-art dairy manufacturing facility
Privately owned by California dairy families with long-term vision
Industry-leading A2/A2 milk supply
Growth-oriented leadership team
Opportunity to shape culture and operational excellence
Competitive compensation and benefits package
The Plant Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for all manufacturing functions, including Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, Sanitation, and related operations. This role is responsible for driving safety, quality, productivity, employee engagement, and financial performance while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
As Plant Manager, you will:
Lead all day-to-day manufacturing operations
Drive a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence
Develop and mentor department leaders while building high-performing teams
Champion Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives
Improve OEE, productivity, throughput, yields, and operational efficiency
Ensure compliance with SQF, HACCP, GMP, FDA, OSHA/Cal-OSHA, and environmental regulations
Manage plant budgets and achieve cost, quality, and profitability objectives
Analyze operational KPIs and implement sustainable corrective actions
Support capital improvement projects and operational modernization
Partner with Executive Leadership to support long-term business strategy
Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
At least 5 years leading plant operations within food, dairy, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
Strong dairy manufacturing experience with milk drying or spray drying operations
Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement programs
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and developing leaders
History of improving safety, quality, productivity, employee engagement, and financial performance
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Dairy Science, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred.
Equivalent combinations of education, specialized training, and progressively responsible manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered. Candidates with extensive plant leadership experience who have demonstrated success in similar manufacturing environments are encouraged to apply.
Experience with one or more of the following:
Dairy powder manufacturing
Anhydrous Milk Fat (AMF)
Ultra-filtered milk processing
SQF-certified facilities
Lean Manufacturing
Kaizen
5S
Value Stream Mapping
OEE improvement
Capital project leadership
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
At Valley Milk, you'll have the opportunity to lead one of the most advanced dairy ingredient manufacturing facilities in California while helping shape the future of a growing organization committed to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and lead with purpose, we encourage you to apply.
Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
At least 5 years leading plant operations within food, dairy, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
Strong dairy manufacturing experience with milk drying or spray drying operations
Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement programs
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and developing leaders
History of improving safety, quality, productivity, employee engagement, and financial performance
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Dairy Science, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field is preferred.
Equivalent combinations of education, specialized training, and progressively responsible manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered. Candidates with extensive plant leadership experience who have demonstrated success in similar manufacturing environments are encouraged to apply.
Experience with one or more of the following:
Dairy powder manufacturing
Anhydrous Milk Fat (AMF)
Ultra-filtered milk processing
SQF-certified facilities
Lean Manufacturing
Kaizen
5S
Value Stream Mapping
OEE improvement
Capital project leadership
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
At Valley Milk, you'll have the opportunity to lead one of the most advanced dairy ingredient manufacturing facilities in California while helping shape the future of a growing organization committed to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and lead with purpose, we encourage you to apply.
