Jobs › Saputo

Production Manager

Saputo · Franklin, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Saputo

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a plant or department you led. What were the size, products and results?

What they are checking: Whether their past scope fits a large cheese conversion facility with many departments.

Tell me about a time you improved yield or reduced give-away in cheese packaging.

What they are checking: Whether they have driven real cost savings on the line, which matters in conversion operations.

How do you build a strong team of supervisors under you?

What they are checking: Whether they develop leaders rather than trying to run everything themselves.

Tell me about a serious safety incident at a plant you managed. What did you change?

What they are checking: Whether they take ownership of safety and make lasting changes after an incident.

What would you do

This is a 340,000 square foot conversion facility. How would you approach your first few months?

What they are checking: Whether they can learn the operation and build systems in a newer plant still finding its rhythm.

A state or federal inspector arrives unannounced. How do you handle the visit?

What they are checking: Whether they are calm and prepared with regulators, since the role is the plant's liaison.

Distribution says production keeps missing ship dates. How do you get to the bottom of it?

What they are checking: Whether they look at scheduling, capacity and communication honestly, rather than blaming another department.

How do you work with the Plant Manager when you disagree on a priority?

What they are checking: Whether they can push back respectfully and then fully commit to the final decision.

About the work

How do you produce customer orders at the lowest cost without hurting quality or safety?

What they are checking: Whether they balance yield, labor, downtime and quality instead of chasing one number.

Which plant KPIs do you review every day, and what do you do when one goes off?

What they are checking: Whether they manage with metrics like OEE, yield and labor efficiency and act quickly.

How do you keep sanitation and production schedules working together?

What they are checking: Whether they protect sanitation time, since cutting it risks food safety and audits.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Saputo from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Saputo.

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best? The Production Manager in Franklin WI is a key operations stakeholder for a new 340,000 square foot conversion facility and will play an integral part of Saputo’s strategy to optimize its cheese network in North America. Saputo has a strong history in Wisconsin and are proud to be expanding our footprint in this area. In this role, you provide leadership and direction to the plant in areas of responsibility that include administration, production, processing, packaging, scheduling, sanitation, quality, purchasing, safety and environmental. Working with the Plant Manager and/or Operations Manager, the Production Manager is the liaison between the plant and other departments including Distribution, Quality, Maintenance and State and Federal Regulatory Personnel. How You Will Make Contributions That Matter • Directs the overall activities of the manufacturing facility to ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost to meet the customer’s requirements while maintaining established safety and quality standards. • Analyzes plant operations and key metrics to ensure that the facility maintains high quality and safety standards to continue to maintain our leadership position in the industry. • Is responsible for expense management and control, including shrink, labor and overhead costs utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques and a Management Operating Structure (MOS). • Analyze downtime through effective root cause analysis to continuously improve operational efficiencies and processes. • Ensures that Standard Operating Procedures are developed and maintained for all aspects of the business. • Cooperates in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the Company. • Ensures products meet regulatory standards. • Assists Technical Support staff on resolution of customer complaints and issues of product quality. • Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager requiring planning, training, evaluating, organizing, integrating, and delegating. • Provides management of employees directly or through supervisors to ensure effective selection, retention, development, disciplinary action and performance management. • Supports internal/external audits. • All other responsibilities assign by supervisor. You Are Best Suited For The Role If You Have The Following Experiences, Skills, and Qualifications • a bachelor’s degree preferred with a minimum of (2)-years of supervisory experience. • experience using Continuous Improvement methodologies. • a proficient understanding of budgeting and cost control. • familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices. • working knowledge of OSHA GISO’s and Workers Compensation claim management. • proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and computer-based applications, having SAP experience is a plus. • demonstrate excellent verbal/written communication skills. • can adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; ability to lead others through change. • can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. • highly organized with ability to prioritize tasks and pay attention to the details. • team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines. We Support and Care For Our Employees By Providing Them With… • Comprehensive benefit programs that include medical, dental and vision insurance, EAP, 401k, employee stock options, paid time off. • Employee recognition and incentive programs. • Opportunities to contribute to your community via a VTO program and plant engagement activities. • Work on a smoke free campus that promotes a healthy and wellness focused lifestyle. Salary range: $89,000 - $112,00 /annually In the USA, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the top producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands such as Stella, Frigo Cheese, Montchevre , Stella, and Treasure Cave. We also boast a strong foodservice presence, partnering with reputable chain restaurants and broadline distributors. Whether your expertise lies in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, quality assurance, or in any other function, your role is integral to our success. You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and who will roll up their sleeves to help. Accessibility Saputo Cheese USA Inc. endeavors to make Saputo.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Human Resources at 214-863-2300 or email us.recruitingsupport@saputo.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications. EEO Saputo Cheese USA Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under law, please visit www.EEOC.gov. California Applicant Privacy Notice (CCPA) To review the Saputo Cheese USA Inc. Privacy Notice for California applicants, please visit our Corporate website associated section by clicking here (English) or here (Spanish).

Apply at Saputo

More production manager roles