Mgr II, Operations

Wayne Farms LLC; Kinston (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee fresh and value-add processing across multiple production lines and shifts. You will develop and execute strategies, establish manufacturing policies, and ensure compliance with regulatory and company guidelines.

The role requires strong leadership, financial acumen, and the ability to monitor P&L, drive cost savings, and lead capital projects.

Qualifications

• Seven years in processing and value-add operations management in food manufacturing
• Experience directing multiple processing lines over multiple shifts
• Strong leadership including policy adherence and conflict resolution
• Solid business acumen with knowledge of finance, cost modeling, and budgeting
• Proven track record of project monitoring, budget adherence, and closure
• Excellent verbal and written communication across all organizational levels
• Self-starter with urgency and ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations for fresh and value-add processing across multiple lines and shifts
• Input into annual operating budget and develop long/short-term plant strategies
• Monitor P&L, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions
• Assist in capital spending plans and capital project execution
• Identify process improvements to remove bottlenecks and improve throughput
• Oversee safety and quality functions and ensure regulatory compliance
• Mentor and develop staff, provide timely feedback, and promote career growth
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Project management

Strategic thinking

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/Technology/Poultry Science

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Operations Manager oversees the facility's fresh and value add or further processing operations for multiple processing lines over multiple shifts through subordinate leaders. This role develops and/or executes long and short term strategies and establishes manufacturing policies and procedures to meet company objectives and customer requirements while remaining compliant with Company policies, regulatory guidelines and Federal, State and local legal requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

• Oversee facility operations for production processes (i.e. fresh and value add processing , or further processing) for multiple production lines through subordinate supervisors, superintendents and/or managers, allocating resources as needed, to ensure product is available as required and meets customer specifications and product quality standards
• Understand Company financial objectives and provide input for the annual operating budget (AOP), develop long and short term plant financial and staffing strategies aimed to ensure AOP targets are met or exceeded
• Monitor P&L, research and identify root cause of variances, implement corrections and report outcome to senior leadership; provide suggestions for cost savings, improvements, etc. to ensure expenditures are within company guidelines
• Assist senior leadership in the development of capital spending plans to ensure timely implementation and completion of capital projects
• Identify opportunities for improvement through the analysis of operating processes; develop and implement operating methods and procedures designed to eliminate operating bottlenecks and/or constraints to improve product processing throughput, quality and quantity
• Oversee Safety and Quality functions, partnering with functional leaders, to ensure compliance with policies, guidelines and legal requirements are met as required by senior leadership
• Follow and promote all safety initiatives and guidelines helping to maintain a zero accident culture
• Mentor, coach and train/cross-train employees, encouraging career development; provide consistent and timely feedback concerning strengths and areas in need of improvement
• Perform additional relevant duties as assigned

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This role is a Leader of Leaders role with required competencies: Strategic Agility, Business Acumen, Building Effective Teams, Customer Focus and Command Skills

EDUCATION and CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors' degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Animal / Poultry Science, Microbiology or other relevant discipline from an accredited institution; master's degree preferred

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Minimum seven (7) years' relevant experience in processing and value add/further processing operations management supervising employees in a food processing or manufacturing/ production environment; experience in the poultry industry preferred
• Demonstrated experience directing multiple processing lines over multiple shifts
• Strong leadership experience including knowledge policy adherence, successful conflict resolution and the ability to resolve issues efficiently and effectively
• Strong business acumen including knowledge of finance, financial indicators, cost modeling, etc.
• Demonstrated success in project monitoring, adherence to budget, follow-up and closure
• Strong customer focus with the ability to effectively communicate, both verbal and written, with all levels of the organization and with external organizations and customers in a timely and professional manner
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects while maintaining a high attention to detail
• Self-starter who demonstrates strong initiative with a sense of urgency and the ability to work in a fast paced environment

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

• Follow departmental and company safety policies and programs
• Wear required protective equipment in all areas where mandatory

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work non-standard shifts including nights, weekends and holidays as needed
• Ability to travel throughout the facility as needed
• Ability to work in a cold, wet environment

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

A career that makes an amazing difference starts at Wayne-Sanderson Farms. Formed from two leading poultry companies with humble roots in farm supply and feed manufacturing, Wayne-Sanderson Farms is built on over a century's worth of industry expertise and excellence in operation. Our family at Wayne-Sanderson Farms is now more than 26,000 team members and over 2,000 family farmers strong, and still growing as the nation's third largest poultry producer. By starting your career with a leader in the industry, you can develop your skills in a wide variety of operations while enjoying unique benefits such as our professional development opportunities.