Plant Manager (Beef)

Position Overview

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily operations of a beef processing facility, ensuring production efficiency, product quality, regulatory compliance, employee safety, and profitability. This role requires strong leadership skills, in-depth knowledge of beef processing operations, and the ability to manage a large workforce in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership

  • Lead and manage all aspects of plant operations including slaughter, fabrication, packaging, and distribution.

  • Ensure production schedules are met while maintaining high standards of quality, food safety, and efficiency.

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize yield, reduce waste, and improve throughput.

• Regulatory & Compliance

  • Ensure full compliance with USDA, FDA, OSHA, and other federal/state/local regulatory requirements.

  • Maintain HACCP plans, food safety audits, and third-party certifications.

  • Ensure humane handling standards are consistently met.

• People Management

  • Lead, mentor, and develop plant leadership team and workforce (ranging from 200-1,000+ employees, depending on facility size).

  • Foster a strong culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork.

  • Partner with HR on recruitment, training, labor relations, and employee retention initiatives.

• Financial & Strategic Management

  • Manage plant P&L, budgets, and cost control initiatives.

  • Analyze operational data to drive performance improvements and margin growth.

  • Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning and capital investment projects.

• Safety & Sustainability

  • Champion employee safety programs and ensure OSHA compliance.

  • Oversee sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction, water conservation, and energy efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Agriculture, Food Science, Animal Science, or related field (Master's preferred).

• 8-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in meat or food processing, with at least 5 years in a plant management role.

• Strong working knowledge of USDA regulations, HACCP, GMP, and food safety systems.

• Proven experience managing large-scale operations with high labor intensity.

• Demonstrated success in leading teams, managing budgets, and achieving production targets.

• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.