PLANT MANAGER (2ND SHIFT)

The Judge Group; Elk Run Heights (IA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary + bonus

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Relocation assistance available

Job summary

The Judge Group is assisting a major protein producer in Iowa with a critical Second Shift Plant Manager opportunity. This role owns total shift performance, leading a large hourly workforce and a team of supervisors across production, sanitation, maintenance, QA, and shipping.

You will champion safety, ensure USDA/FSIS compliance and audits, and drive improvements in throughput, yield, labor efficiency, and cost.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership, including roles like Plant Manager, Shift Manager, or Operations Manager.
• Experience in fresh protein processing (pork, beef, or poultry) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of USDA/FSIS regulations, HACCP, and GMPs.
• Proven track record of improving safety, yield, and cost in a high-volume plant.
• Experience leading large, diverse hourly workforces; union or labor relations experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead all second shift operations across production, sanitation, maintenance, QA, and shipping.
• Own the safety culture and drive toward zero incidents.
• Maintain compliance with USDA/FSIS, HACCP, animal welfare, and audits.
• Hit shift targets on throughput, yield, labor efficiency, and cost.
• Build, coach, and hold accountable a team of supervisors and area managers.
• Drive Lean continuous improvement and root-cause problem solving.
• Ensure clean handoffs with first shift and sanitation leadership.
• Manage labor planning, attendance, and staffing in a high-volume environment.
• Partner with HR on employee relations, retention, and engagement.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

USDA/FSIS knowledge

Lean/CI mindset

Bilingual English/Spanish

Labor relations experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent experience

Job description

The Company

Our client is one of the largest protein producers in the country, with a national footprint and brands found in nearly every grocery store and restaurant in America. This facility is a large-scale, high-volume fresh processing operation and a key part of their network. They're looking for a proven shift leader to own second shift performance and develop a strong leadership team.

The Role

The Second Shift Plant Manager owns total shift performance: safety, food safety, quality, production, people, and cost. You'll lead a large hourly workforce and a team of supervisors and managers across the entire shift. This is a floor-first leadership role. You set the tone, you're visible, and your team knows you're in it with them.

Schedule:

Monday through Friday, approximately 1:30/2:00 PM to midnight

What You'll Do

• Lead all second shift operations across production, sanitation coordination, maintenance, QA, and shipping
• Own the safety culture and drive toward zero incidents
• Maintain full compliance with USDA/FSIS, HACCP, animal welfare, and customer audit requirements
• Hit shift targets on throughput, yield, labor efficiency, and cost
• Build, coach, and hold accountable a team of supervisors and area managers
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean and root cause problem solving
• Ensure clean handoffs and alignment with first shift and sanitation leadership
• Manage labor planning, attendance, and staffing in a high-volume environment
• Partner with HR on employee relations, retention, and engagement

What You Bring

• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership, with 3+ years as a Plant Manager, Shift Manager, or Operations Manager
• Fresh pork, beef, or poultry processing experience required (harvest, fabrication, or further processing)
• Strong working knowledge of USDA/FSIS regulations, HACCP, and GMPs
• Track record of improving safety, yield, and cost in a high-volume plant
• Experience leading large, diverse, multi-department hourly workforces
• Labor relations or union environment experience a plus
• Lean or CI background a plus
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred

Who Thrives Here

Someone who's been in the trenches of a fresh protein plant and loves it. You're steady under pressure, you know how to run a line at speed without cutting corners on safety, and you build supervisors who can lead without you standing over them. If you want to lead at scale with the resources of a national leader behind you, this is it.

What's In It For You

• Competitive base salary + annual performance bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and/or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Relocation assistance available
• Career growth across a national network of facilities
• A stable, industry-leading company where your work is visible and valued