Plant Manager (RTE)

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a Ready-to-Eat (RTE) meat processing facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant production operations. This role leads plant performance across production, food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, cost control, and team leadership. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in USDA-regulated meat processing environments and a strong commitment to food safety and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Direct and manage daily plant operations including production, maintenance, sanitation, and warehousing.
• Ensure production targets, yield goals, and efficiency metrics are achieved.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve throughput and reduce waste.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to USDA, FSIS, FDA, HACCP, and SSOP requirements.
• Maintain full compliance with all RTE food safety standards, including lethality and post-lethality controls.
• Lead internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions.

Quality Assurance

• Partner with QA/QC teams to ensure product quality, consistency, and traceability.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality or food safety deviations.

Leadership & Workforce Development

• Lead, coach, and develop plant leadership team and hourly workforce.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Manage staffing, training, and performance evaluations.

Health & Safety

• Promote and enforce workplace safety programs in compliance with OSHA regulations.
• Reduce workplace incidents through proactive safety initiatives and training.

Financial & Performance Management

• Develop and manage plant budgets, including labor, materials, and overhead costs.
• Monitor KPIs such as OEE, yield, labor efficiency, and cost per unit.
• Identify and execute cost-saving and productivity improvement initiatives.

Continuous Improvement

• Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives across the facility.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent experience in meat processing may be considered.

Experience

• 7-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in meat processing, preferably in RTE products.
• Strong knowledge of USDA/FSIS regulations and HACCP systems.
• Proven experience managing large teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Deep understanding of RTE processing (thermal processing, curing, slicing, packaging).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and team-building capabilities.
• Experience with ERP systems and production planning tools preferred.

Work Environment

• Exposure to cold, wet, and refrigerated production environments.
• Requires use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• May involve extended hours, weekends, and on-call responsibilities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.