Jim Cropp Able to Stay in Food Science Field
For Jim Cropp of Janesville, working in the Food Science field has almost been a way of life for him. So when WILD Aseptics of Beloit closed their facility in Beloit in September, 2014 and he lost his job as their Quality Manager, he started looking for something in that field. As a dislocated worker, he worked with Cyndi Pohl, WIOA Career Specialist, to help get his resume updated, conduct assessments, and get enrolled. Pohl encouraged Jim to utilize Manpower’s Training and Development Center and take Excel and Leadership online classes. It didn’t take long before he located a new position at Yodelay in Madison and started there as their Plant Manager in mid-September, 2015.
“The title is a little misleading,” Jim said. “Since it is a new startup plant, and I am currently their only employee. I do everything from hiring to purchasing equipment to sweeping. I wear many hats.” Yodelay Yogurt is a food processing plant that sells products to local retail outlets.
Jim had worked at WILD Aseptics for seven-and-a-half years, serving as their Production Manager prior to being Quality Manager before their closure. He was able to stay on through February, 2015 as one of only a few to help close out the plant. Prior to that he had worked at Berner Foods for three years and Kerry Ingredients for 13 years as their Plant Manager. He also has worked at Wisconsin Dairies and Ridgeview. Ltd.
“Due to my family situation [he has a son at Milton High School, a son at UW-Whitewater and a daughter at UW-Madison], I wanted to stay in the area and if possible do the same type of work. I knew there were opportunities out there,” he said.
It turned out he was correct. As a graduate of UW-River Falls with a B.S. degree in Food Science Technology plus his years of experience, the hiring process at Yodelay went very quickly for the 50-year-old Cropp. “I actually found the ad in the Cheese Reporter,” Jim said. Having his wife’s job also helped ‘tie the family over’ until Jim landed the position.
“The Food Science field is very fluid and it is not unusual for people to either be moved around, have to change positions, or having job shifts,” Jim explained, much of it due to the numerous mergers and buyouts of the companies. He said Cyndi and Jessica Johnson, WIOA Job Developer, were very helpful and had very good pointers and suggestions. “It would be especially helpful to someone searching for new job interests, but I pretty much knew I wanted to stay in the Food Science field,” Jim said. “Jim is very knowledgeable about the food industry,” said Cyndi. “I had no doubt that his talent and expertise would take him where he belongs.”
Jim is hopeful this position will last for many years. “I’m hoping to stay with Yodelay and help build it into a successful, productive company that will continue in the area for years to come,” he said.