Food manufacturing
10 dairy processing operations experts
These ten professionals have run dairy processing operations as plant managers, operations directors and manufacturing executives. A reader can learn how dairy processing leaders run plants and production teams.
Professionals to explore
01—10Ben Waddell
LinkedInExperience: Plant Director · Agropur
Plant Director at Agropur since 2024; the profile describes Agropur as a leading North American dairy cooperative. Former Plant Manager - Lena at Saputo Inc. (2016–2018), Plant Manager at General Mills (2022–2024) and General Manager Director of Operations at TNT Crust (2020–2022).
Dan Garcia
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Plant Operations · Idaho Milk Products
Plant Manager at Brewster Cheese since 2024. Former Vice President Operations at Milk Specialties Global (2023–2024), Director Of Plant Operations (2021–2023) and Operations Manager (2019–2021) at Idaho Milk Products, and Whey Operations Manager at Agropur (2015–2019). The profile describes 25 years in dairy processing, managing production of whey ingredients and American and Italian style cheeses among other dairy products.
Dana Presley
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Manufacturing · Associated Milk Producers Inc.
Vice President of Manufacturing at Associated Milk Producers Inc. since 2026, a role the profile says oversees team development, operational excellence and strategic enterprise planning. Former Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations Senior Director of Operational Excellence (2019–2023) and Director Of Manufacturing Operations (2018–2020) at Grande Cheese Company.
Diana Krabbe
LinkedInExperience: Director Operations Europe Fonterra Manufacturing BV · Fonterra Manufacturing BV
Former Director Operations Europe Fonterra Manufacturing BV at Fonterra Manufacturing BV (2022–2024) and General Manager Operations Europe & Africa at Fonterra Europe Manufacturing B.V. (2019–2022). The profile describes a general manager and operational director in the dairy industry, listing cheese manufacturing, whey processing and UHT cream manufacturing among its specialties.
Doug Young
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President Operations · Chobani
Senior Vice President Operations at Chobani since 2024, and former Vice President of Manufacturing there (2022–2024). Former VP Operations at noosa yoghurt (2015–2019) and Plant Manager at Daisy Brand (2014–2015). The profile describes Chobani as a Greek yogurt maker.
Eric Van Den Heuvel
LinkedInExperience: Sr Director of Operations · Foremost Farms USA
Sr Director of Operations at Foremost Farms USA since 2018. At Foremost Farms USA the profile also lists Sr Director of Quality (2016–2020), Director of Operations (2015–2016) and Plant Manager (2013–2015 and 1998–2009). It describes more than 30 years in the dairy industry and building management systems for complex manufacturing processes.
Glen Kienitz
LinkedInExperience: Plant Manager · Michigan Milk Producers Association
Former Plant Manager at Michigan Milk Producers Association (2023–2025), Plant Manager at Foremost Farms USA (2016–2021) and Cheese Production Manager at Southwest Cheese Co (2005–2007). The profile describes completing three greenfield build and start-up projects plus several major expansion projects, and a history in the food industry in GMP and regulated environments.
Keshar Chaudhary
LinkedInExperience: Head of Production Department · Banaskantha Dist. Co-op. Milk Producers' Union Ltd., (GCMMF-AMUL)
Head of Production Department at Banaskantha Dist. Co-op. Milk Producers' Union Ltd., (GCMMF-AMUL) since 2025. Former Asst. Executive and working as team leader in 20 & 30 MTPD powder plant at Banas Dairy Palanpur (AMUL Group) (2016–2023). The profile describes 15 years of expertise in plant operations, production planning, maintenance and quality management systems.
Paul Ceelen
LinkedInExperience: Operations Director Dutch Lady Milk Industries · FrieslandCampina
Operations Director Dutch Lady Milk Industries at FrieslandCampina since 2024, a role the profile describes as responsible for end-to-end supply chain and operations of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Malaysia, including a greenfield factory project. Former Plant Manager Den Bosch (2019–2022) and Operations Manager Rotterdam (2017–2019) at FrieslandCampina.
Paul Rowe
LinkedInExperience: Operations Director · First Milk
Former Operations Director (2021–2025) and Site & Group Projects Director (2015–2021) at First Milk. The profile says the site role was extended to cover the day-to-day operational lead across the group's four hard cheese manufacturing sites. Food Manufacturing Consultant at Pure Process Consultancy since 2025.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's product type to yours, since cheese and whey plants, fluid and cultured products, and milk powder plants run on different equipment and schedules. Also consider whether you need help running a single plant, starting up a new one or managing a multi-site network, and pick someone whose roles covered that situation.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Which plant efficiency and yield measures matter most in dairy processing, and how do you improve them?
- 02How do you plan and run a greenfield plant start-up or major expansion without disrupting supply?
- 03How do you keep food safety and quality systems strong when milk volumes swing through the year?
Reaching dairy processing operations experts
How can I contact one of these dairy processing operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Agropur, Idaho Milk Products and Associated Milk Producers Inc., based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach dairy processing operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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