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Production Manager - Butter and Powder Packaging

United Dairymen of Arizona
Tempe, AZ
ABOUT UDA:

UDA is a local, family-owned, dairy cooperative committed to serve the needs of our members, community, and customers by providing high quality milk and dairy products. As the only milk marketing co-op in the state, UDA oversees the production, processing, and marketing of Arizona’s finest milk products from farm to Retail in 48 hours or less. From sweet cream and butter to non-fat dry milk, UDA provides milk products to manufactures and supermarket chains throughout the Grand Canyon State.

Our motto at UDA is “United in Excellence.” The dairy industry’s success isn’t built on one dairy or brand, it’s built on the community as a whole - this includes our amazing employees. When you join UDA, you’re not just joining a business, you’re joining a family. Since 1960 UDA has been headquartered, operated, and managed in Arizona. We strive to provide our employees with rewarding career opportunities aimed at long-term stability, growth, and advancement. We put our heart and soul into our products and value our team who show up, every day and do the work.

Job Summary/Objective

The Production Manager will lead and optimize butter manufacturing and powder packaging operations for our facility. This critical role requires deep expertise in an expanding, high-volume butter operation with the possibility of future retail product lines. This role will directly manage a team of 20-30 employees across butter production and packaging departments, driving quality, efficiency, and strategic growth

This role requires previous high-volume butter experience to be considered.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Provides management of employees directly or through supervisors to ensure effective selection, retention, development, disciplinary action and performance management.
  • Directly supervising department supervisors and in an appropriate manner regarding all aspects of production activities, including, prioritizing duties, delegating work assignments.
  • Analyzes manufacturing data and identifies trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement; identifies and utilizes methods to assure manufacturing processes are more efficient and effective (reducing waste, reducing labor cost, etc).
  • Directs adjustments of the manufacturing processes to maintain conformance with standards, specifications, and customer requirements.
  • Ensures effective employee relations by supporting and maintaining a safe and positive work environment. Analyzes and assists in resolving work and/or employee issues through problem resolution.
  • Acting as a manufacturing technical resource to address and resolve inquiries and problems regarding production, quality and work problems as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with UDA’s senior leadership on plant production, growth strategy, staffing, and facility needs
  • Lead the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for the departments they oversee.
  • Regularly collaborate with UDA’s quality team to enhance facility, production, and both food safety and quality compliance standards, including the participation of audits
  • Participating on cross-functional teams to build a culture of operational excellence and innovation in the areas of processing, methods, productivity, Good Manufacturing Practices, safety and quality.
  • Resolve production and safety problems as needed and provide immediate follow up on production variances and accident investigations
  • Being actively involved in safety efforts including, attending safety meetings, incident investigations, assisting in root cause analysis, auditing, as assigned.
  • Monitor the cleanliness and maintenance, oversee the completion of needed repairs
  • Ensuring compliance with local and federal regulatory requirements including FDA, USDA, and the AZ Dept of Agriculture, resolving and/or reporting compliance issues immediately

Qualifications:

General Skills & Abilities needed to complete job successfully:

  • Experience in a lead, supervisor, or management position, preferably in a food processing or manufacturing environment
  • Must be able to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee and drive projects through completion in a timely, safe, and efficient manner
  • People Management Skills, able to successfully interact with plant personnel at all levels, possessing strong motivational skills
  • Successful change agent with an aggressive solution-oriented track record, and effective change control.
  • Ability to lead multiple business initiatives in a manufacturing environment
  • Strong understanding of computer programing systems including, but not limited to, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, inventory management systems, and internet browsers
  • Detail oriented with the ability to effectively manage and track supply inventory, and efficiencies
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to discuss and generate business reports, business correspondence, and procedure documents
  • General understanding of mechanical equipment, parts, and tools
  • Ability to operate moving tools, equipment, and finished product up to 55lbs on a frequent basis

Experience : (required)

  • Extensive experience in butter making, including:
    • Commodity and retail butter production
    • Continuous churn, high-volume butter manufacturing
    • Production of both salted and unsalted butter varieties
    • Mechanical aspects of butter making and packaging processes
    • Deep understanding of butter manufacturing techniques
  • Ability to manage complex packaging operations
  • Mechanical aptitude for butter production equipment
  • Experience with:
    • Liner insertion in packaging
    • Sealing processes
    • Quality control in butter production
    • Managing multiple packaging line
Experience: (preferred)

  • Powder packaging experience
  • Experience managing large production teams
  • Proven track record in food manufacturing efficiency

Education/Certifications : (if n/a is applicable please note “N/A)

 Required Preferred Education (degree/certifications) Associates degree, with 5 or more years of management experience required

Or equivalent experience to include a minimum of seven (7) years of management experience required.

3 Or More Years Of Management Experience Required

Work Environment & Demands

Physical and environmental demands for this position are indicated below: (check all that are applicable)

Physical Demands:

☒ Sitting for limited periods of time

☒ Standing and walking for extended periods of time

☒ Occasional bending, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching and grasping

☒ Manual dexterity and repetitive movement of fingers and hands for keyboarding

☒ Ability to climb stairs

☒ Some lifting, up to 25 pounds

  • Requires ability to walk, sit, and stand for extended periods of time
  • Requires ability to hear and speak, occasionally in high time weighted average environments with elevated decibel readings (using appropriate hearing protection)
  • Requires ability to walk, stand, stoop, bend, reach, lift, push, pull and carry items up to 55lbs
  • Requires ability to push and pull items up to 150lbs
  • Requires ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals
  • Ability to safely operate a forklift occasionally

Environment:

☒Office environment

☒Production floor

☒Able to work 12-hour shifts

☐Other (please specify)

  • BENEFITS:
  • Medical, Dental & Vision plans
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match
  • Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Health & Wellness Programs
  • Paid Time Off
  • Shift Pay Differential
  • Education Assistance
  • On-site Fitness Center
  • On-Site Health Clinic

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list; employees may be subject to additional, or altered, tasks and the scope of the role may change as necessitated by business demands. UDA will not consider any application submissions from unauthorized third-parties, consulting, or external staffing firms and will not be held subject, or liable, to any terms, fees, or penalties associated with a submission.

UDA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

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Posted 2025-11-21

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