VP Operations (Meat)

Position Overview

A growing U.S.-based meat and protein business serving [retail / foodservice / wholesale / manufacturing / private-label] customers across the United States is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Vice President of Operations to lead and optimize its operational platform as the business continues to grow.

The VP of Operations will have overall responsibility for operational performance across [one or multiple] processing, production, warehousing and distribution facilities. This executive will lead teams responsible for production, maintenance, engineering, quality assurance, food safety, procurement, inventory, logistics and continuous improvement, while partnering closely with commercial and finance leadership.

The successful candidate will combine hands-on operational leadership with strong financial and strategic capability, ensuring the business operates safely, efficiently and profitably while maintaining the highest standards of product quality and customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for operational functions.
• Develop and execute an operations strategy aligned with growth and commercial objectives.
• Lead day-to-day performance across processing, production, packaging, warehousing and distribution operations.
• Establish clear operating standards, performance expectations and accountability throughout the organization.
• Build a high-performing operations leadership team and develop operational talent.
• Establish appropriate KPIs and management routines to monitor performance.
• Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, safety and operational excellence.

Production & Manufacturing

• Optimize plant throughput, labor utilization, yields, line efficiency and production scheduling.
• Improve plant capacity utilization while maintaining product quality and customer service.
• Establish effective production planning and scheduling processes.
• Reduce downtime, waste, rework, yield loss and production inefficiencies.
• Partner with engineering and maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability and plant performance.
• Evaluate capital investments required to increase capacity, improve efficiency and support growth.
• Lead the operational integration of new equipment, facilities, product lines or acquisitions.

Food Safety & Quality

• Maintain the highest standards of food safety and product quality.
• Partner closely with Quality Assurance and Food Safety leadership to maintain robust food-safety systems.
• Ensure facilities and operations comply with applicable U.S. federal, state and local requirements.
• Maintain strong relationships with regulatory and inspection authorities as appropriate.
• Ensure effective HACCP, sanitation, traceability, recall and corrective-action programs are implemented and maintained.
• Establish a culture in which food safety and quality are treated as core operational priorities.

Supply Chain & Procurement

• Partner with procurement and supply-chain leadership to ensure reliable and cost-effective supply of raw materials and packaging.
• Improve forecasting, inventory management and production planning.
• Optimize inbound and outbound logistics.
• Identify opportunities to reduce freight, storage, inventory and handling costs.
• Develop contingency plans to manage supply interruptions and market volatility.
• Strengthen relationships with key suppliers, processors, logistics providers and other strategic partners.

Financial & Commercial Performance

• Take ownership of operational budgets and financial performance.
• Drive improvements in cost per pound/unit, labor productivity, yield, overhead and operating margin.
• Partner with finance leadership on budgeting, forecasting and capital planning.
• Develop business cases for capital expenditure and operational investments.
• Identify and execute opportunities to increase profitability without compromising safety or quality.
• Provide executive leadership with clear reporting on operational performance, risks and opportunities.

Continuous Improvement

• Establish a structured continuous-improvement program across the organization.
• Implement Lean, Six Sigma, TPM or other appropriate operational-excellence methodologies.
• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks and non-value-added activities.
• Establish measurable improvement targets across labor, yield, throughput, waste, quality and service.
• Promote data-driven decision making throughout the operations organization.

People & Culture

• Lead, coach and develop plant managers, operations directors and other senior operational leaders.
• Establish clear organizational structures, responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Develop succession plans for critical operational positions.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability and professional development.
• Maintain a strong workplace safety culture.
• Ensure appropriate workforce planning and staffing strategies are in place.

Growth & Strategic Development

• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team to develop and execute the growth strategy.
• Assess operational requirements associated with new customers, products, markets and facilities.
• Lead operational due diligence and integration activities for acquisitions where applicable.
• Evaluate opportunities for vertical integration, additional processing capacity, automation and network optimization.
• Develop long-term plans for facilities, capacity and operational infrastructure.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within meat, protein, food processing, food manufacturing or a closely related industry.
• Significant experience leading large-scale processing or manufacturing operations.
• Experience managing multiple facilities or a complex operational network strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing significant operating budgets and capital expenditure programs.
• Strong understanding of production, yield, labor productivity, maintenance, quality and supply-chain management.
• Proven record of improving operational performance and profitability.
• Experience leading and developing large hourly and salaried workforces.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. food-safety and regulatory requirements applicable to meat/protein processing.
• Experience working directly with executive leadership and boards/owners.
• Bachelor's degree in operations, supply chain, engineering, business, food science, agriculture or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.