Manufacturing Leadership Development Trainees

Job Description

Manufacturing Leadership Development Program Trainee | Leprino

The Tone:
This is a full-time traineeship at Leprino, initially based on the Allendale, MI manufacturing facility posting, with required relocation to one of three training hubs and then to a plant nationwide. Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. This role is crucial for developing future leaders within Leprino’s production operations, ensuring the continuous growth and success of their global team in producing high-quality dairy products.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person Allendale, MI (relocation required for training and future roles)
• Pay: $75000 yearly
• Mission: To grow individuals beyond the supervisor level into future leaders within Leprino’s production operations.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Program Learning: Learn and demonstrate technical/functional competence in manufacturing and quality processes, developing and applying safety and people leadership skills.
• Operational Support: Use learned knowledge to help supervise team operations, making recommendations for labor and manufacturing efficiencies, cost savings, and quality improvements.
• Team Engagement: Assist with team leadership by supporting and implementing programs in operator training, safety, communications, performance recognition, and internal employee development.
• Shift Management: Help supervise daily shift operations to deliver on manufacturing standards and quality parameters, achieving targeted production volumes for the area of responsibility.
• Quality & Efficiency: Actively participate in the plant’s quality execution program and maintain high efficiency and cost efficiency through accurate scheduling of production, processing, maintenance, and workforce operations.

The Must-Haves
• Background: A Bachelor of Science degree in an industrial manufacturing-oriented STEM field or agricultural science/business field, indicating an entry-level career stage as a trainee.
• Experience: Geographic flexibility and willingness to relocate for future assignments upon graduation of the program, and the ability to spend 12 months in one of three training hubs (Greeley, CO; Grand Rapids, MI; or Lemoore, CA). Authorization to work for any employer in the US without sponsorship.
• Skills: An inquisitive, collaborative, and results-oriented mindset with a passion for modern manufacturing, capable of learning and applying technical/functional competence in manufacturing and quality processes, and foundational people leadership.
• Bonus: A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Industrial, Chemical, Manufacturing, or Mechanical), Dairy Science/Manufacturing, or Food Processing; or previous internship or co-op experience within a manufacturing environment.