Plant Manager (Junior) Meat Processing - Leadership Development Track

Sixty8 Capital; South Bend, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship program

Structured development plan

Leadership bonus eligibility

Job summary

Sixty8 Capital is seeking a Junior Plant Manager for a leadership development path in a meat processing facility near South Bend, Indiana. You will rotate through plant operations, learn food-safety systems, and develop people-management skills under experienced leaders.

You will gain end-to-end exposure to operations, audits, and cost controls while delivering results and advancing toward a Plant Manager role in a fast-growing organization.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Manage 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.
• Learn and uphold USDA, FDA, OSHA, and HACCP food safety regulations.
• Contribute to the halal certification process.
• Lead 3-5 direct reports and coach team members in safety, compliance, and production skills.

Skills

Hands-on leadership

Decision making

Communication

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s in Food Science / Meat Science

Tools

Lean/Six Sigma

HACCP knowledge

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.

Note: This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities. Duties may evolve over time to reflect your growth and the needs of the facility.