Plant Manager (Junior) Meat Processing - Leadership Development Track

Elevate Ventures; Evansville (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Leadership bonus eligibility

Structured development plan

1:1 mentorship

Job summary

Elevate Ventures is seeking a Junior Plant Manager for their meat processing facility located 30 minutes outside South Bend, Indiana. This role offers a leadership development path with mentorship from seasoned professionals, emphasizing plant operations, food safety, and team management. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields and experience in food manufacturing. This full-time position includes competitive compensation and a structured development plan.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in meat or protein production.
• 2+ years in a leadership or supervisory role with direct reports.
• Exposure to HACCP, GMPs, or other food safety standards is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing daily production operations with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Support production planning, equipment uptime, and staffing to meet targets.
• Coach and develop team members in safety, compliance, and production skills.

Skills

Hands-on leadership

Decision-making

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Engineering, or Operations

Tools

HACCP Certification

OSHA Safety Certification

Job description

Job Title

Plant Manager (Junior) Meat Processing – Leadership Development Track

Location

30 minutes outside South Bend, Indiana

Job Summary

Are you a seasoned production supervisor or operations lead ready for your next big step? Join us as a Junior Plant Manager on a leadership development path where you'll be mentored to become a full‑scale plant leader. You’ll gain end‑to‑end exposure to plant operations, food safety systems, and people management in a growing, impact‑driven meat processing facility. We offer a hands‑on environment where innovation, learning, and operational excellence go hand in hand.

This is your opportunity to fast‑track your career with the full support of experienced leadership who are committed to mentoring and growing future industry leaders.

What You’ll Gain

• Mentorship by Senior Leaders with decades of experience in food manufacturing.
• Strategic exposure to plant performance, audits, halal certification, and cost controls.
• Defined growth path to Plant Manager roles as you deliver results and grow.
• A collaborative, innovation‑focused culture where your voice matters and your ideas shape the floor.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Plant Operations & Production Management

• Assist in managing daily production operations with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.
• Apply lean principles to reduce waste and improve processes.
• Support production planning, equipment uptime, and staffing to meet targets.

2. Food Safety & Compliance

• Learn and uphold USDA, FDA, OSHA, and HACCP food safety regulations.
• Contribute to the halal certification process.
• Support documentation and readiness for audits and inspections.

3. Team Leadership & Workforce Management

• Manage 3–5 direct reports in a hands‑on production environment.
• Coach and develop team members in safety, compliance, and production skills.
• Promote a positive work culture and support cross‑functional communication.

4. Cost Awareness & Financial Metrics

• Learn to track and interpret KPIs across cost, quality, and throughput.
• Participate in cost‑saving initiatives and supply chain coordination.

5. Continuous Improvement

• Identify improvement opportunities and participate in Kaizen events.
• Work on efficiency gains, waste reduction, and technology adoption.

6. Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the QA team, maintenance, logistics, and leadership.
• Build relationships with vendors and support end‑to‑end operational flow.

What We’re Looking For:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Engineering, Operations, or equivalent experience.
• 5–8 years of experience in food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in meat or protein production.
• 2+ years in a leadership or supervisory role with direct reports.
• Exposure to HACCP, GMPs, or other food safety standards is preferred.

Preferred Certifications

• HACCP Certification (Required)
• OSHA Safety Certification (Preferred)
• Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement experience is a plus

Skills & Traits

• Hands‑on leadership style and desire to grow.
• Strong decision‑making, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Passion for continuous improvement and high‑quality food production.
• Comfortable working in cold/refrigerated environments.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Location: On‑site, 30 mins outside South Bend, Indiana
• Schedule: Full‑time with occasional availability for urgent plant issues
• Environment: Includes physical activity and cold/refrigerated areas
• Travel: Occasional training, vendor visits, or leadership events

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary with leadership bonus eligibility
• Structured development plan and 1:1 mentorship

Why This Role, Why Now

This is a unique chance to step into a high‑impact, growth‑focused role in a company that’s scaling fast and investing in talent. You won’t just “run” the plant—you’ll build the skills to one day lead it. We’re not just filling a seat; we’re shaping the next generation of operations leadership.