Operations Manager (Poultry)

Position Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day poultry processing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production while meeting quality, yield, and regulatory requirements. This role provides direct leadership to production teams and collaborates closely with Quality, Food Safety, Maintenance, and Live Operations to achieve operational excellence in a USDA-regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operational Leadership

• Lead daily poultry processing operations, including live receiving (as applicable), slaughter, deboning, further processing, packaging, and cold storage.

• Ensure production targets for volume, yields, labor efficiency, and downtime are met or exceeded.

• Monitor and improve line performance, throughput, and staffing efficiency.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP plans, SSOPs, and GMPs.

• Partner with Quality and Food Safety teams to maintain audit readiness and address non-conformances.

• Reinforce a strong food safety culture on the production floor.

• Support corrective actions related to food safety, quality, or regulatory findings.

Team Leadership & Development

• Directly manage supervisors and frontline leaders across multiple shifts.

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop production supervisors and hourly workforce.

• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and safety.

• Ensure adherence to company policies, labor standards, and workplace safety requirements.

Cost Control & Performance Management

• Manage labor, materials, and operating costs to meet budget targets.

• Analyze KPIs including yields, labor efficiency, downtime, waste, and rework.

• Identify root causes of performance gaps and implement sustainable solutions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Maintenance to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.

• Coordinate with Live Production, Scheduling, and Supply Chain to optimize bird flow and inventory.

• Partner with HR on workforce planning, training, and employee relations.

• Collaborate with Engineering on capital projects and process improvements.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred

• Equivalent industry experience considered in lieu of degree

Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in poultry processing or poultry food manufacturing

• 3+ years of supervisory or management experience in a USDA-regulated environment

• Experience managing large hourly workforces across multiple shifts

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of poultry processing operations and yields

• Working knowledge of USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP, and food safety systems

• Experience with production metrics, labor management, and cost control

• Familiarity with cold-chain operations and sanitation practices

Leadership & Personal Attributes

• Hands-on, floor-focused leadership style

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills

• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-volume environment

• Clear communicator with the ability to influence across functions

Key Competencies

• Operational execution and accountability

• People leadership and team development

• Food safety and quality mindset

• Continuous improvement orientation

• Results-driven with attention to detail

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work in cold, wet, and noisy environments

• Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays as required

• Must be able to spend significant time on the production floor