Operations Manager - Beef

The Operations Manager - Beef Division is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the beef production department, ensuring high standards of safety, quality, efficiency, and productivity. This role will lead production teams, optimize processes, manage resources, and drive continuous improvement to meet production goals while adhering to company policies and regulatory standards (e.g., USDA, OSHA).

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Team Management:

  • Directly oversee beef production supervisors and line employees.

  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

  • Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate operational staff.

• Production Oversight:

  • Manage daily beef production operations, ensuring adherence to production schedules, yields, and quality specifications.

  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including throughput, downtime, labor efficiency, and waste.

  • Coordinate with procurement, quality assurance, maintenance, and logistics to ensure seamless operations.

• Quality Assurance & Compliance:

  • Ensure beef processing meets or exceeds food safety and quality standards (USDA regulations, company SOPs).

  • Collaborate with Quality Assurance teams to address any non-compliance issues.

  • Maintain accurate operational records for audits and inspections.

• Process Improvement:

  • Identify inefficiencies and implement lean manufacturing practices, Six Sigma methodologies, or other process improvement initiatives.

  • Recommend and implement technological upgrades or equipment changes to optimize production.

• Budget & Cost Management:

  • Manage departmental budgets including labor, supplies, and overtime.

  • Analyze production costs and work with leadership to implement cost-saving strategies without compromising quality or safety.

• Safety Leadership:

  • Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all employees comply with safety policies.

  • Lead investigations of any accidents/incidents and implement corrective actions.

Qualifications:

• Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Meat Science, Food Science, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.

  • Equivalent industry experience will be considered.

• Experience:

  • Minimum 5-7 years of progressive operations management experience in beef processing, meat packing, or food manufacturing.

  • Experience managing teams of 50+ employees.

• Technical Skills:

  • Strong understanding of beef fabrication, further processing, and value-added production techniques.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; ERP system experience (e.g., SAP, JD Edwards) preferred.

• Certifications:

  • HACCP Certification preferred.

  • OSHA 30 Certification a plus.

Key Competencies:

• Leadership and people development

• Problem-solving and decision-making

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Strategic planning and execution

• Strong focus on food safety, worker safety, and regulatory compliance

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, temperature-controlled environment (cold or warm conditions)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and move for extended periods.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Comfortable working in a production environment with exposure to raw meat, cold/hot temperatures, and loud machinery.