Head of Operations (Beef)

Position Summary

The Director of Beef Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing all aspects of beef processing and manufacturing operations across multiple facilities. This role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, product quality, cost efficiency, and workforce performance while driving continuous improvement initiatives aligned with company strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Oversee end-to-end beef manufacturing operations, including slaughter, fabrication, processing, packaging, and distribution.
• Drive production efficiency, yield optimization, and cost control across all facilities.
• Establish and monitor KPIs (e.g., throughput, yield, downtime, labor efficiency).
• Implement best practices and standard operating procedures across sites.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to USDA, FSIS, HACCP, and all federal/state food safety regulations.
• Lead internal and external audits; maintain audit readiness at all times.
• Partner with Quality Assurance teams to ensure product integrity and traceability.

Strategic Planning

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company growth objectives.
• Identify opportunities for capacity expansion, automation, and process innovation.
• Support capital investment planning and oversee major operational projects.

Supply Chain & Procurement

• Collaborate with procurement teams on cattle sourcing strategies and supplier relationships.
• Optimize logistics, inventory management, and cold chain efficiency.
• Mitigate supply chain risks and ensure continuity of operations.

Financial Management

• Own and manage operating budgets, forecasting, and cost improvement initiatives.
• Analyze financial performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Deliver against profitability and margin targets.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing operations team across multiple sites.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with HR on workforce planning, labor relations, and talent development.

Health, Safety & Sustainability

• Champion workplace safety programs and ensure OSHA compliance.
• Reduce workplace incidents and promote a safety-first culture.
• Drive sustainability initiatives including waste reduction, water usage, and energy efficiency.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Food Science, Operations Management, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in beef processing or protein manufacturing.
• Proven experience managing multi-site operations.

Technical Skills

• Deep knowledge of beef processing operations and yield optimization.
• Strong understanding of USDA/FSIS regulations and HACCP systems.
• Experience with ERP systems, production planning tools, and data analytics.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset (Lean, Six Sigma preferred).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production yield and efficiency
• Cost per pound / unit
• Food safety and audit scores
• Employee safety metrics (TRIR, incident rates)
• Labor productivity and retention
• On-time delivery and customer satisfaction

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel (30-50%) to processing facilities.
• Exposure to cold environments, production floors, and plant conditions.
• Availability to respond to operational issues outside standard business hours.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive executive salary
• Performance-based bonus structure
• Comprehensive benefits package (health, retirement, PTO)
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)