Plant Manager - Poultry

Our client is one of the largest and most respected poultry producers in the United States, supplying high-quality fresh and value-added products to leading retail, foodservice, and international customers. With a strong commitment to food safety, operational excellence, sustainability, and employee development, they continue to invest in cutting-edge facilities and industry-leading manufacturing practices.

As part of their ongoing growth and operational strategy, we have been retained to recruit an exceptional Plant Manager to lead one of their large-scale poultry processing facilities.

This is a career-defining opportunity for an accomplished manufacturing leader to oversee a complex, high-volume operation, drive continuous improvement, and inspire a high-performing leadership team within a business committed to excellence.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Regional Operations Director, the Plant Manager will have full operational responsibility for a large, USDA-inspected poultry processing facility, overseeing all aspects of production, engineering, maintenance, quality, food safety, supply chain, warehousing, human resources, and financial performance.

You will lead a large cross-functional leadership team, ensuring the facility consistently delivers against safety, quality, service, cost, and productivity objectives while fostering a culture built on accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

This role requires a visible, hands-on leader with the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution in a fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for all plant operations, ensuring the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of the facility.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that improve productivity, efficiency, yield, quality, and customer service.
• Lead and develop a high-performing leadership team across Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Human Resources, Warehouse, and Supply Chain.
• Champion a culture of safety, ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety standards.
• Drive world-class food safety and quality systems, ensuring compliance with USDA, FSIS, HACCP, GMP, and all regulatory requirements.
• Deliver operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, and performance management initiatives.
• Manage plant financial performance, including labour, operating expenses, capital investment, and overall P&L accountability.
• Monitor key performance indicators including OEE, yield, labour efficiency, downtime, waste, customer service, and production performance.
• Partner closely with corporate leadership to execute strategic initiatives and capital expansion projects.
• Lead workforce engagement initiatives that improve retention, leadership capability, employee development, and succession planning.
• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, regulatory agencies, and external partners.
• Ensure environmental compliance and promote sustainability initiatives across plant operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Food Science, or a related discipline preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within poultry, protein, meat processing, food manufacturing, or other high-volume industrial operations.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale manufacturing facilities with responsibility for several hundred employees.
• Proven experience managing complex, 24/7 production environments with full operational accountability.
• Strong knowledge of USDA, FSIS, HACCP, GMP, OSHA, and food manufacturing regulatory requirements.
• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, TPM, or Operational Excellence programs.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing plant budgets, capital expenditures, cost improvement initiatives, and P&L performance.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and people development skills with the ability to build high-performing teams.
• Results-oriented with a track record of delivering measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and profitability.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be measured by your ability to build an engaged and accountable leadership team, improve operational performance, enhance food safety and quality standards, optimise plant profitability, and create a culture where continuous improvement is embedded across every function.

You will be recognised as a leader who develops people, drives operational excellence, and delivers sustainable business results while maintaining an unwavering commitment to employee safety and customer satisfaction.

What's on Offer

Our client offers the opportunity to join an industry-leading poultry manufacturer with a strong track record of growth, innovation, and investment in its operations and people.

In return, you'll receive:

• Highly competitive executive compensation package.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Relocation assistance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Ongoing leadership development and executive career progression opportunities.
• The opportunity to lead a flagship manufacturing operation with significant influence on business performance.