Trim Manager (Fabrication)

Reports to: Production Manager

FLSA Status: Salaried Exempt

Position Summary

The Trim Manager oversees the creation and collection of trim on the fabrication floor. This role provides expert guidance and direction to fabrication tables and team leaders to optimize performance-driven workmanship, yield complex outcomes, and lean point attainment. Acting as a critical bridge between frontline supervisors and plant leadership, the Trim Manager ensures all operations align with safety, quality, and efficiency targets while achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production, labor, and yield.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Provide strategic leadership for the evaluation of short- and long-term departmental objectives and monitor the daily productivity of Trim Department supervisors.

• Yield & Efficiency Management: Drive maximum lean meat recovery and optimize the value of trimmings while aggressively reducing waste and managing yield tests.

• Safety & Compliance: Promote a safe culture in accordance with regulatory policies. Ensure strict adherence to USDA food safety standards (HACCP) and national/international compliance.

• Process Improvement: Develop and improve policies that support organizational goals for quality, customer service, and operational profitability.

• Team Development: Lead, motivate, and train a multi-disciplinary trim staff. Manage administrative functions including crewing levels, cross-training, and employee development plans.

• Strategic Planning: Assist in developing strategic plans for operational activities and capital expenditures while controlling departmental budgets.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Facilitate communication between Maintenance, IT, HR, and Finance to align equipment performance and staffing with production schedules.

• Performance Management: Direct work, appraise performance, and resolve employee relations issues or complaints.

Qualifications

• Experience: Proven leadership experience in a beef processing environment with a specific emphasis on Trim and fabrication.

• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of beef carcass breakdown, portion cutting, lean/fat percentage sorting, and extensive knowledge of beef cuts.

• Equipment Proficiency: Familiarity with automatic sorting systems (e.g., FOSS MeatMaster II, FPEC) and industrial conveyor systems.

• Leadership: Meaningful experience managing production supervisors and leading large, diverse teams.

• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills; must be able to communicate effectively with both a diverse workforce and upper management. Bilingual skills are a plus.

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required; College education preferred.

• Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Physical Demands: Ability to stand for long periods, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds. Requires full body mobility for climbing, balancing, and walking.

• Environmental Conditions: Work is performed in a fast-paced plant environment with exposure to wet/humid conditions, extreme cold and heat, moving mechanical parts, and loud noises.

• Requirements: Must be able to work 8–10 hour shifts in temperature-controlled environments.

• PPE: Ability to wear all required personal protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection).

• Schedule: Flexibility to work weekends and holidays based on production needs.