Meat Laboratory Manager Senior

New Mexico State University; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University is seeking a Meat Laboratory Manager Senior in Las Cruces to lead a busy Meat Science Laboratory. The role supervises staff, coordinates facility operations, ensures food safety and regulatory compliance, and supports teaching and research activities in meat science.

The position involves collaboration with faculty and students, oversight of processing activities, and coaching the collegiate meat judging team, with a standard M-F schedule and a commensurate

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in a relevant field with extensive hands-on meat lab experience.
• Bachelor's degree with significant relevant experience; Master’s preferred for leadership in research/education.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating laboratory facilities, safety, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Meat Science Laboratory staff and operations, schedule and supervise daily activities.
• Maintain HACCP plans and regulatory compliance with USDA/state requirements.
• Oversee meat processing activities including slaughter, fabrication, curing, and packaging.
• Support teaching/research by coordinating facilities, scheduling, and data collection.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Meat science knowledge

Teaching/extension activities

Meat judging team coaching

Education

Associate's Degree + 9 years of relevant experience

Bachelor's degree + 7 years of relevant experience

Master's degree preferred

Job description

• 504111
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Oct 30 2026 - 23:55 MDT

Department Contact: Shanna Ivey, 575-646-2515, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Manager of the Meat Laboratory is responsible for leading operational excellence and supporting research, academic, extension, and industry-focused initiatives. This role ensures the highest standards in food safety and hands-on education by guiding staff, students, and partners through the Center's daily activities.

Position Details

Position Title: Meat Laboratory Manager Senior

College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col

Department: 302000-ANIMAL AND RANGE SCIENCES

Location: Las Cruces

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Meat Laboratory Operations and Staff Supervision

• Schedule, direct, and supervise Meat Science Laboratory employees.
• Manage daily laboratory operations and workflow.
• Serve as building proctor.
• Coordinate the use of laboratory facilities, equipment, and personnel.
• Train, mentor, and provide operational guidance to staff and students.

Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance, and Quality Assurance

• Maintain and monitor HACCP plans, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures, the E. coli Plan, and required food safety records .
• Ensure compliance with meat inspection, sanitation, occupational safety, and regulatory requirements in congruence with state and USDA requirements.
• Inspect facilities and operations for hazardous conditions.
• Monitor equipment and personnel practices for compliance with established safety procedures.

Meat Processing, Production, and Inventory Management

• Participate in slaughter, cutting, fabrication, curing, smoking, and processing activities.
• Procure livestock, meat products, equipment, and supplies needed for laboratory operations.
• Maintain records related to yields, costs, inventory, disposition, and sales of animals, carcasses, meat products, and dairy products.
• Support the efficient use and maintenance of laboratory equipment and production resources.

Research and Academic Support

• Assist faculty and graduate and undergraduate students with planning, scheduling, and conducting teaching and research activities.
• Collaborate with scientists and research faculty on experiments involving the Meat Science Laboratory.
• Collect or supervise the collection of slaughter, grading, cutability, yield, and processing data.
• The lab manager will collaborate with the meat science professor in the delivery of meat science courses and will support the laboratory portion of these courses by coordinating facility resources, scheduling, and operations to ensure effective instructional activities.
• This position is responsible for training/coaching the collegiate meat judging team.
• Participate in the activities of the Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS) as related to value-added protein production.

Outreach, Industry Engagement, and Educational Programming

• Collaborate with Extension Program Specialists to conduct short courses, field days, demonstrations, workshops, and industry training.
• Assist meat industry professionals with technical questions, problem-solving, and access to laboratory facilities.
• Develop and deliver educational presentations and hands-on training for diverse audiences.
• Build and maintain partnerships with industry representatives, producers, processors, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Associate's Degree + 9 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 7 years of relevant experience. Master's degree or higher preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Animal Science, Meat Science, Food Science, or a related discipline from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of advanced education and experience.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the meat industry.
• Supervisory experience, including team leadership, training, and mentoring.
• Demonstrated expertise in research, teaching, or extension activities related to meat science, including the development and delivery of educational programs, workshops, or industry training sessions.
• Demonstrated experience coaching a collegiate meat judging team.

Special Certification/Licensure

• Applicants with equivalent experience in lieu of a Master's degree may be considered. One year of the related experience is the equivalent of one college year. Applicants being considered for the equivalency must have six years of related experience to meet the equivalency in lieu of a Master's degree plus the minimum required years of experience. Applicants being considered for the equivalency must have a total of eleven years of experience.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves almost constant exposure to unusual elements: i.e. extreme temp, toxic chemicals, biohazardous materials, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, other potentially dangerous materials/situations that require safety precaution/protective equip

Physical Effort: Considerable physical activity. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of the job.

Lifting Requirements: Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.

Risk: Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus

Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants