Plant Manager

JSK Recruiting, Inc.; Illinois; On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Quarterly performance bonuses

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Illinois seeks a Production Leader to oversee meat processing operations in a fast-paced USDA-regulated environment. This role focuses on team management, performance metric optimization, and compliance with food safety standards. Candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree and have over 5 years of experience in meat processing, with strong leadership capabilities and financial acumen. The position offers a competitive salary of $130,000 - $160,000 plus bonuses and relocation assistance for suitable candidates.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in USDA-regulated, ready-to-eat meat processing.
• Proven track record of managing teams and KPIs.
• Strong understanding of labor metrics and yield management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production operations in a USDA-regulated environment.
• Manage production supervisors and workforce.
• Drive KPI performance across production lines.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for efficiency.

Skills

Leadership presence

Communication skills

Knowledge of production KPIs

Project management

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

ERP systems

Red Zone production management system

Job description

Why This Role Stands Out

• Lead a high-output meat processing and high-speed packaging operation with three direct reports and 80+ employees
• Relocation assistance available for candidates outside the Chicagoland area
• Work for an established food manufacturer with a growing and well-known product portfolio
• Direct access to a tenured Director of Operations who provides strong leadership support
• Metrics-driven culture using KPI scorecards and Red Zone production management systems

Compensation: $130,000 - $160,000 + Bonus: Up to 15%, paid quarterly (based on education and experience)

About the Role

This is a floor-based production leadership role at a large-scale, USDA-regulated meat processing facility focused on ready‑to‑eat products. You will oversee multiple production lines across a 200,000 square foot facility, spending time on the floor leading through presence, accountability, and clear expectations rather than from behind a desk.

This role requires someone who can present to CEO‑level leadership, understand production financials, drive KPIs, and build a team culture rooted in accountability and respect. If you have a strong background in USDA ready‑to‑eat meat manufacturing and want a high‑visibility leadership role with real earning potential, this is worth a serious look.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all daily production operations across multiple meat processing and packaging lines in a USDA‑regulated, ready‑to‑eat manufacturing environment
• Manage and develop production supervisors and a workforce of employees
• Drive KPI performance across yield, schedule attainment, and labor efficiency
• Use Red Zone or similar production management systems to monitor real‑time floor performance
• Ensure compliance with USDA, OSHA, and all applicable food safety and regulatory requirements
• Partner with HR on hiring, corrective action, employee development, and labor relations
• Monitor production costs, labor utilization, and budget adherence
• Lead short and long‑term planning efforts in alignment with the Director of Operations
• Maintain a strong floor presence and build a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with quality, maintenance, and scheduling teams

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required, ideally in Engineering, Animal Science, Operations / leadership or related education
• 5+ years of experience in a USDA‑regulated, ready‑to‑eat meat processing environment
• Proven leadership presence with the ability to communicate clearly at all levels including executive leadership
• Strong working knowledge of production KPIs, OEEs, labor metrics, and yield management
• Experience with Red Zone or comparable production management systems preferred
• Comfortable and effective in a union manufacturing environment
• Bilingual English and Spanish a plus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP preferred

Ready to Apply?

This is a well‑supported role with a strong team, clear expectations, and real upside for the right leader. If you have the USDA meat processing background and the leadership presence to match, we want to hear from you. Apply now and let's connect.