Manufacturing Engineer - Creameries

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer - Creameries

Company: Sartori Cheese 

Location: Plymouth, WI

Description: The Manufacturing Engineer - Creameries spearheads operational and process excellence throughout the production environment, with a primary focus on creamery operations and secondary support for converting. This position leads business case development and drives the execution of capital procurement and installation projects that align with strategic priorities. This hands-on role includes the creation and implementation of standard operating procedures and processes, with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and productivity. A key responsibility is the implementation of new equipment and production lines across all Sartori locations, supporting both growth and innovation. This position upholds best-in-class standards in safety, ergonomics, and lean manufacturing principles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Capital Project Execution & Equipment Integration: Leads capital projects to enhance process efficiency and reduce production costs through equipment procurement and improvement initiatives. Develops technical scopes and RFQs, evaluates vendors, and ensures alignment with capacity planning and company strategy. Supports Sartori’s locations—primarily creamery operations, secondarily converting—with capital planning and execution.
• Equipment Design & Technical Development: Designs production equipment and custom components using SolidWorks. Establishes performance standards and collaborates with Maintenance to implement and optimize preventive maintenance strategies for new and existing equipment.
• Process Commercialization & Product Support: Partners with R&D to scale new products from concept to production. Investigate new technologies and vendor capabilities to expand process capabilities and support commercialization.
• Layout & Facility Optimization: Designs efficient work cells and facility layouts that enhance space utilization and production flow, coordinating closely with cross-functional teams.
• Standard Work & Training: Develops and implements SOPs, work instructions, and preventive maintenance strategies. Supports training initiatives to ensure production teams are equipped to operate new or modified equipment safely and effectively.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean Culture: Promotes Lean Manufacturing principles and leads CI initiatives focused on waste reduction, efficiency, and uptime improvements. Collaborates cross-functionally to identify and execute improvement opportunities.
• Data Analysis & Performance Monitoring: Collects and interprets production and downtime data to identify trends and drive sustainable improvements in equipment reliability and process stability.
• Food Safety & Quality Compliance: Maintains compliance with food safety and quality standards. Promptly reports any issues to appropriate personnel.

DIRECT REPORTS: This position is not responsible for direct reports.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Alignment with Company Values – Embodies Sartori's values of family, commitment, authenticity, ingenuity, integrity, and humility in leadership and decision-making.
• Results-Oriented – Focused on achieving measurable improvements in process efficiency, equipment performance, and business outcomes.
• Innovative & Problem Solving – Uses data and statistical tools to evaluate performance, inform decisions, and guide continuous improvement. Applies creative thinking and structured problem-solving techniques to address root causes and implement long-term solutions.
• Strategic Mindset – Anticipates future operational needs and aligns engineering activities with long-term business goals.
• Organizational Skills – Maintains a structured, detail-oriented approach to planning, documentation, and execution of engineering projects.
• Lean Manufacturing Knowledge – Proficient in Lean principles, Six Sigma, 5S, kaizen, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Collaboration & Teamwork – Builds strong cross-functional partnerships to drive alignment and project success. Shares knowledge and provides technical guidance to elevate team performance and foster development.
• Leadership Presence – Inspires others through strong work ethic, commitment, and a positive, solutions-focused mindset.
• Proactive Initiative – Identifies and acts on opportunities for improvement without needing direction.
• Quality & Safety Commitment – Upholds the highest standards for product quality and workplace safety.

WORK LOCATION: This is an on-site position based at our Sartori Whey facility in Plymouth, WI, with travel to our other manufacturing locations in Plymouth and Antigo, WI and Crescent City, CA.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Occasional travel may be required to meet the needs of the business (estimated 25%).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Team Member is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by Team Members assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Sartori Company reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational and business needs as necessary.

Experience, Skills and Abilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial/Manufacturing Systems) is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in creamery operations is required. Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience optimizing process and equipment performance, including team member training and development, is preferred.
• Experience analyzing operational capacity against planned production, and implementing equipment installations for efficiency, are required.
• Understanding and application of Statistical Process Control is required.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Microsoft Office Suite, and Minitab for engineering design and data analysis are required.
• Experience within the food, pharmaceutical, chemical industries, or GMP environment is preferred.

Hours/Employment Type: Full Time

Salary/Wages: Depends on Experience

How to Apply: Visit our online posting

Questions? Please contact Paige Vanden Bush at pvandenbush@Sartoricheese.com, (608) 690-7246