Harvest Manager (Beef)

The Harvest Manager is responsible for overseeing all harvest floor operations within a beef manufacturing facility. This role ensures that animal handling, slaughter, dressing, and transfer to fabrication areas are conducted efficiently, safely, and in full compliance with regulatory, animal welfare, food safety, and company standards. The Harvest Manager leads a multi-disciplinary team, optimizes workflow, drives continuous improvement, and ensures production targets are consistently met.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Plan, coordinate, and supervise daily harvest operations to meet production schedules and yield objectives.

• Monitor workflow on the harvest floor to maximize efficiency, minimize downtime, and maintain product quality.

• Ensure accurate reporting of throughput, yields, downtime, and labour performance.

Regulatory Compliance & Animal Welfare

• Ensure full compliance with USDA/FSIS or relevant regulatory agency standards.

• Oversee adherence to Humane Handling and Animal Welfare programs, ensuring staff follow approved procedures at all times.

• Maintain documentation and support internal and external audits.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance

• Partner with QA/Food Safety teams to ensure HACCP, GMPs, and sanitation protocols are consistently followed.

• Investigate and correct deviations affecting food safety or product integrity.

Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of supervisors, line leads, and frontline employees.

• Conduct performance reviews, schedule staffing, and participate in recruitment and training.

• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and high performance.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance yield, throughput, labour efficiency, and safety.

• Collaborate with maintenance and engineering to address equipment issues and optimize machinery performance.

• Contribute to operational KPIs and drive measurable improvements.

Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with safety policies, OSHA standards, and company procedures.

• Support accident investigations and corrective action development.

• Promote a proactive safety culture through training, communication, and routine inspections.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Meat Science, Food Science, Operations Management, or equivalent experience preferred.

• 3-7 years of progressive experience in beef or meat processing operations, including harvest/slaughter experience.

• Experience managing teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.