Manufacturing Management Trainee Program

Within our manufacturing plants – Leprino Foods is seeking Manufacturing Management Trainees to participate in our 12-month intensive program where you will learn the ins-and-outs of modern manufacturing, people leadership, and an in depth understanding of Leprino’s cheese and nutrition production operations. Upon successful completion of the program, your first role in management will be as a Production Supervisor in one of our nine manufacturing plants across the country. The ultimate intent of this program is to grow individuals beyond the supervisor level and into future leaders within Leprino’s production operations!

Starting Salary:

• All trainees will start at a base salary of $72,000, with an initial relocation assistance package (lump-sum) of $6,000. Upon graduation of the program, Leprino offers a full relocation assistance package! This position has an annual target bonus of 5%. 

Typical Career Progression:

TRAINEE > PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR > SENIOR SUPERVISOR > DEPARTMENT MANAGER > PRODUCTION MANAGER > PLANT MANAGER (AND BEYOND!)

Trainee Responsibilities:

• Learn and demonstrate technical/functional competence in manufacturing and quality processes. Develop and apply safety and people leadership skills.
• Use learned knowledge to help supervise team operations and make recommendations for labor and manufacturing efficiencies, costs savings, and quality improvements.
• Assist with team leadership by supporting and implementing programs in operator training, safety, communications, performance recognition, and internal employee development to ensure peak employee efficiency.
• Help supervise daily shift operations to deliver on manufacturing standards and quality parameters to achieve targeted production volumes for area of responsibility.
• Build and cultivate strong working relationships, collaboration within the team and with team members, and a positive working environment.
• Prepare and deliver pre-shift meetings and post-shift pass down communications.
• Be actively involved in the plant’s quality execution program to achieve quality goals.
• Maintain high efficiency and cost efficiency through accurate scheduling of production and processing operations, maintenance, and workforce.
• Integrate Leprino Quality into all aspects the program as evidenced by demonstrating continuous improvement, teamwork with co-workers, distinguished customer service and striving for perfection.
• Major challenges of this position are to coordinate manufacturing process vital to manufacture consistent high-quality products to meet customer demands, assist leading employees, and recognize opportunities to improve cheese or nutrition quality and cost.
• Be humble, inquisitive, patient, collaborative, innovative, results-oriented, and resilient - the DNA of a Leprino employee.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• A Bachelor of Science Degree in an industrial oriented (non-IT) STEM field.
• Geographic flexibility and a willingness to relocate for future assignments upon graduation of the program.
• The authorization to work for ANY employer in the US without sponsorship now or in the future.
• The ability to spend 12-months in one of our training hubs (Grand Rapids, MI or Lemoore, CA) before supervisor placement assignment is selected.
• A passion to work in the modern manufacturing world!

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Industrial, Chemical, Manufacturing or Mechanical), Dairy Science/Manufacturing, or Food Processing.
• Previous internship or co-op experience within a manufacturing environment.

Leprino Foods celebrates and supports diversity. We believe in equal opportunity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture that uses the unique talents, experiences, background, and perspectives of each individual employee.

Offering You In Return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino Foods could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino Foods’ history dates back over 70 years, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino Foods is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by Jim and the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” To help us achieve that bold vision, we’re looking for our secret ingredient: You. A motivated team member who is the best at what you do. Three passionate individuals in a small corner grocery store in the early 1950s have now grown to almost 5,000 employees throughout 16 global locations. Will you join us on our journey?