Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and accountability to the Value-Added and Grind supervisory teams for day-to-day operations.
• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of automated processing systems, equipment utilization, and end-to-end process flows to maximize throughput, yields, labor efficiency, and equipment uptime.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation integration, waste reduction, yield recovery, labor optimization, and line performance.
• Utilize production data, KPIs, and system reporting to identify constraints, bottlenecks, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations aligned with company policies, food safety programs, and regulatory requirements.

• Serve as the operational champion for automation projects, including equipment selection, commissioning, startup support, and ongoing performance optimization.
• Partner with Maintenance and IT teams to improve equipment reliability, PLC utilization, data capture, and system integration.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies to improve process capability, cycle time, and cost performance.
• Standardize work processes, SOPs, and training to support consistent execution across shifts and teams.

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, QA, and customers on the development and commercialization of new value-added products.
• Evaluate manufacturing feasibility, equipment capability, yields, labor standards, and automation requirements for new products.
• Ensure product specifications accurately reflect production realities and that teams are trained to execute to specification.

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget for Value-Added Processing, including labor, packaging, supplies, and overhead.
• Monitor expenses, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions to meet financial targets.
• Partner with Accounting to establish accurate product costing models that reflect yields, labor standards, automation efficiencies, and compliance costs.

• Work closely with Human Resources to support staffing strategies, leadership development, training programs, and employee retention.
• Ensure consistent, fair, and objective application of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement through effective coaching and performance management.

• Ensure compliance with USDA, regulatory requirements, company policies, and food safety programs.
• Partner with QA to ensure food safety, sanitation, and product integrity standards are met or exceeded.
• Promote a strong safety culture focused on proactive hazard identification and risk reduction.

• Actively support employee engagement initiatives and workforce development efforts.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across Operations, HR, Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Maintenance, and QA.
• Serve as a visible leader on the floor, promoting open communication and continuous feedback.

Qualifications

• Proven management experience in value-added further processing and grind operations (beef/meat industry preferred).
• Extensive experience with manufacturing automation, production line optimization, and process flow design.
• Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement efforts in a high-volume, unionized manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of yields, costing, labor standards, and production KPIs.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and leadership skills.
• Solid computer skills, including Microsoft Office and manufacturing/reporting systems.

Experience & Education

• 7+ years of progressive experience in value-added further processing and grind operations.
• 5+ years of experience in a management or senior leadership role within a high-volume, food manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, Food Science, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience).

• Comprehensive package for full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; long-term disability; 401(k); PTO accrual up to 15 days per year; six (6) paid holidays annually; and three (3) floating holidays.