Manager, Maintenance, Inventory

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world. Our Visalia corporate office serves as the central hub for the CDI enterprise, driving strategic decision-making, innovation, overall business support, and growth across our diverse portfolio of dairy products and brands. We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California

Our commitment to CDI employees: 

We believe in valuing our team with a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. You'll find we offer competitive pay and incentive programs designed to recognize and reward your contributions. Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, sick days & holidays, retirement plans designed to secure your future. We don't stop there. We've also cultivated a variety of valuable programs focused on your personal well-being and professional growth, ensuring you have the support you need to both inside and outside of work.

The Maintenance Inventory and Purchasing Manager is responsible for sourcing, counting, and purchasing maintenance inventory for the organization. The position oversees the inventory at the Chestnut Warehouse (CW) as well as manages the persons responsible for the inventory at the plants to ensure reconciliation of real inventory versus Inventory Management System (IMS). Responsible for $100m inventory and other spend annually. The position also has oversight of the sourcing and implementation of all maintenance supplies/services.

Essential Functions

• Utilize IMS to maintain inventories of maintenance supplies at the CW.
• Manage the Parts Procurement Coordinators at each plant to ensure the proper and correct maintenance of inventories at the plants.
• Responsible for month-end inventories.
• Ensure proper, accurate, and timely cycle-counting and reconciliation with IMS is taking place at all locations.
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility with company assets and funds, including assisting with the negotiating of the best terms, value, and opportunity for the company.
• Coordinate with both national and international suppliers and vendors on a regular basis and reduce material costs and identify new opportunities.
• Maintain a working relationship with suppliers and vendors.
• Make data-driven decisions to ensure correct inventory levels are maintained, purchases take place timely with consideration to lead times and MOQs, and within budget.
• Investigate and communicate potential weaknesses in internal procurement policies, procedures, processes, and controls.
• Ensure proper and timely management of direct reports schedule requests, performance reviews, and any other requisite HR/administrative functions of managing people.
• Demonstrate ability to manage employees at various levels and locations.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Make effective oral, written, and electronic presentations as required.
• Responsible for following and enforcing working and safety rules.
• Report violations of company policies, procedures, and working rules.
• Attend all staff and corporate meetings and trainings.
• Excellent regular full-time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Use initiative and judgement in making decision keeping with California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) best interests.
• Must have the ability to get along with others.
• Other duties as assigned.

This position manages the Parts Procurement Coordinators and Maintenance Clerks at each plant.

Lead:

• Clearly communicate the company's vision & goals and how the team's work contributes to them.
• Set a positive example through their own work ethic, attitude, and commitment to quality.
• Develop and empower team members by delegating tasks effectively and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Guide:

• Provide clear instructions and expectations, along with the "why,, for tasks and projects.
• Offer regular feedback and coaching to help team members improve their skills and performance.
• Foster a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, emphasizing that the team is stronger together.

Support:

• Recognize and celebrate team accomplishments and individual contributions.
• Advocate for the team's needs and concerns, up, down, and across the organization.
• Encourage and support the team to challenge the status quo, to identify and suggest process improvements, and to embrace innovation.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.
• Strong analytic, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot problems and be persistent until a solution is found.
• High performance with Microsoft Office and experience working with datasets.
• Travel (~25%) mostly within the Central Valley between plant locations.
• Must work in a safe manner and follow all safety procedures including use of safety equipment.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when needed and when a process may be unclear.
• Must have the ability to get along with others.
• Must have college level all communications skills, i.e., written, verbal, etc.
• Simple math reasoning required.
• Must be able to articulate to management and assist in implementation of changes needed to improve efficiencies and/or supply changes.
• Excellent organizational and follow-through skills.
• Ability to self-direct work to a timely completion.
• Must be able to maintain timelines and deadlines.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain or related field or minimum of four (4) years of experience in related field of work or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3-years of warehouse management experience required.
• Experience managing hundreds of SKU's and millions of dollars of inventory required.
• Experience managing personnel required at various locations preferred.

Language Skills

English is required as the written and spoken language. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must possess or be able to acquire a valid driver's license.

Driving Requirements

• ~25% travel within the Central Valley

Equipment

Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to: hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be always employed.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands, walks and sits during completion of job responsibilities.

Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. on an occasional basis.

Pushing/Pulling: Occasional pushing or pulling requirements.

Bending/Stooping: Occasional bending and stooping requirements.

Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Occasional kneeling or crawling requirements.

Twisting/Turning: Ongoing twisting or turning requirements.

Climbing/Balancing: Climbing and balancing is required during plant inspections, and other related job requirements.

Reaching: Ongoing reaching requirements associated with job requirements.

Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. Ability to keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.