Meat Laboratory Manager

Mississippi State University; Starkville, Northern (MS, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University is seeking a Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory Manager for a 12‑month appointment to oversee facilities and support teaching, research, and extension activities. The role involves USDA FSIS procedures, staff supervision, training, and coordination with faculty and vendors.

The successful candidate will work with a diverse team at the 1,200 acre Leveck Animal Research Center and 1,200 acre Bearden Research Dairy, ensuring safety and efficiency of the Meat

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences or Food Science.
• One year of meat processing experience.
• Equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered.
• Master of Science degree and managerial experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Comply, develop, maintain, and oversee all procedures involving USDA FSIS.
• Train and supervise staff and student workers; maintain training logs.
• Ensure all meat science and muscle biology lab users are trained prior to use and maintain logs.
• Develop student skills focusing on job placement upon graduation.
• Participate in all accounting and sales activities related to the lab.
• Create and implement strategies to increase sales and product development.
• Promote a service‑oriented approach to meet stakeholder needs.
• Assist faculty with research, teaching, and extension activities.
• Coordinate with maintenance and vendors to keep the facility operational.
• Ensure the facility is safe, clean, organized, and visitor-ready.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences/Food Science

Master of Science in Animal Sciences/Food Science (preferred)

Job description

Position Function:

The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences is currently seeking a Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory Manager for a 12-month appointment that includes management of facilities and support of faculty involved in teaching, research, and extension activities.

Salary Grade:

13

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are 'Unclassified' and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

The Animal and Dairy Sciences Department currently houses approximately 625 undergraduate students, 40 graduate students, and 26 faculty, both on the main campus and at Research and Extension Centers throughout Mississippi. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in Pre‑Vet/Science, Pre‑Vet Med Tech, Production Management, Business and Industry and newly approved Food Science. Master of Science, Master of Agriculture, and Ph.D. degrees are offered in Animal and Dairy Sciences through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Department conducts teaching, research, and extension activities on the 1,200 acre H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center and 1,200 acre Bearden Research Dairy. The Department’s 15,000 sq. ft. Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory was completed in 2018 and houses state of the art equipment to harvest and fabricate carcasses and process into wholesale and retail cuts. The new Animal and Dairy Sciences building opened in 2019. This 38,000 square foot facility houses three teaching areas including a teaching laboratory and distance education equipped classrooms as well as research laboratories and animal rooms for teaching and research needs. The South Farm is home to our new Livestock Evaluation Laboratory. Our research and teaching herds include dairy, beef, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits and swine on the Mississippi State University main campus.

Anticipated Appointment Date:

September 2026.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Comply, develop, maintain, and oversee all procedures involving USDA FSIS.
• Train and supervise staff and student workers and maintain training logs.
• Assure all meat science and muscle biology lab users are properly trained prior to utilizing laboratory resources or assisting in activities and maintain training logs.
• Develop student skills focusing on job placement upon graduation.
• Participate in all accounting and sales activities associated with the Meat Science and Muscle Biology Lab.
• Create and implement strategies to increase sales and product development.
• Promote a service plus attitude that focuses on meeting stakeholder needs (both external and internal stakeholders).
• Assist faculty with research, teaching, and extension activities as needed.
• Work with university maintenance and outside vendors to assure the facility is operating effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure that the facility operates safely, is kept clean, organized and ready for visitors at all times.

The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences works closely with other units across campus, including the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion. The successful candidate will be expected to work with faculty from all units.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences/Food Science or a closely related field.
• Experience: One year of experience in meat processing.

Substitution: An equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Science degree in Animal Sciences/Food Science or a closely related field and a background in meat science or food science is preferred. Managerial experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of all aspects of butchery including, but not limited to, harvest, fabrication, retail merchandising, further processing and cooking. Must have knowledge of USDA regulations regarding meat processing establishments and comprehensive experience in HACCP, GMPs, SSOPS, Pest Control, and Biosecurity.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

Frequent heavy or intense physical requirements.

Job occasionally requires sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting more than 100 pounds.

Screening Date:

September 4, 2026, until filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: [phone] or [e-mail].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.