Plant Operations Manager

Butterball; Carthage (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Butterball in Missouri seeks an experienced plant leader to guide all manufacturing activities, drive continuous improvement, and ensure on-time delivery, quality, and safe operations. You will coach supervisors, manage HR tasks, and partner with senior leaders to align with the business plan.

The role requires 6+ years in manufacturing leadership, a strong grasp of USDA and OSHA standards, and a track record of reducing costs while maintaining product quality.

Qualifications

• Experience leading manufacturing teams and HR activities.
• Strong knowledge of USDA regulations and safety programs.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and improve yields.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs and guides a manufacturing team to meet on-time delivery and cost goals.
• Ensures compliance with regulations, quality standards, and safety.
• Plans equipment availability and mid-term strategic plant actions.
• Leads cost-reduction initiatives and process improvements.
• Oversees budget and participates in safety audits.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Resource management

Project management

Process improvement

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Guides, directs, executes, and implements operational strategies and goals to ensure achievement of goals, such as on- time delivery, cost of sales, safety of people and product, quality of the product, and human resource management. Oversees all manufacturing activities, pushes forward continuous improvements, and achieves effective and efficient operations.

At Butterball, we exist to help people pass love on. As the most recognized name in turkey, the brand represents more than 60 years of cherished memories, providing quality, great tasting products that make meals something to celebrate every day. We proudly believe that life at Butterball means having a team who supports you, having the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, and making an impact on the health of others daily.

Whether you choose to work at one of our five (5) manufacturing facilities in NC, AR, MO, farms in AR, NC, and KS, corporate office in NC, IL, or in the field, we believe we have an opportunity for everyone to succeed. At Butterball, we believe in fostering a culture where every team member is valued, has the opportunity to grow professionally and contribute to our success.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages a team of entry to established level individual contributors and/or supervisors. Provides guidance, coaching, and support to ensure successful delivery of department goals. Responsible for HR activities such as hiring, terminations, performance management, goal setting, team member development, scheduling, etc. Enforces and meaningfully contributes to the development of systems, policies, and procedures. Participates in strategic planning for the function.
• Responsible for ensuring all operations comply with all regulations, company policies, quality standards, and contractual obligations while maximizing yields with minimal costs.
• Confers with leadership to develop action plans to ensure equipment availability for production and to plan short and mid-term strategies for the plant.
• Seeks opportunities for cost reduction projects. Collaborates to optimize scheduled attainment and customer service.
• Evaluates production reports to ensure achievement of quality, financial, and safety goals. Develops action plans to address opportunities and maintain success.
• Observes talent base and promotes opportunities for management to upgrade skills through training, education, and project participation.
• Oversees programs that ensure the safety and health of our team members.
• Manages overall operating budget in line with current business plan.
• Participates in safety audits, accident investigations, and other safety related activities as needed.

Minimum Qualifications (Educations & Experience)

• Highschool diploma, GED, or equivalent
• 6+ years of relevant experience or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role
• 2+ years of leadership experience or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Butterball Core Competencies

• Safety First: We put safety first. The health, safety, and well-being of our people, products, and turkeys is everyone's responsibility and everyone's jobs.
• Integrity: We trust each other to do the right thing. We act with integrity and gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, respect, and authenticity.
• Stewardship: We take care of what matters. We are accountable to our commitments and take responsibility for the well-being of our teams, our quality, our customers, our business, our brand, and our communities. We are always answerable for our actions and those we lead.
• Enthusiastic Attitudes: We create a climate where everyone feels they belong and can be engaged, every day. Where our people are enthusiastic and motivated to do their best and work together to make great things happen.
• Continuous Improvement: We are committed to continuous improvement. We challenge ourselves and our company to constantly learn, develop, grow, improve, and innovate.

About

Caring about people, valuing contributions, and empowering to succeed is the Butterball Way. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to Butterball and seek to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Everyone has a seat at the table and is expected to embody our core competencies:

Essential Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong knowledge of the food manufacturing industry, USDA regulations and requirements, and safety and health programs and how they are administered
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, human resources principles, and employment law
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop, mentor, coach, support and motivate a team of people leaders
• Proficient communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills with the ability to interact at all levels of the organization internally and externally
• Skilled implementing schedules and understanding product flow
• Proven ability to administer company policies in a fair and equal manner
• Highly skilled at resource management, delegation, and prioritizing deliverablesAbility to identify and implement process improvements
• Sound project management skills with the ability to impact results

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in related field

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

• Work will be performed in a variety of conditions including climate-controlled office environment(s); in a manufacturing plant environment with varying conditions, such as cold areas, wet areas, warm areas, chemicals, and other site conditions; and in a farm environment including working outdoors in seasonal conditions with live animals and at times in dusty environments. This position requires the individual to wear and work in personal protective equipment while in the manufacturing and farm environment. This individual may be working around sick or diseased animals where additional precautions may need to be taken.
• The noise level of the office and farm environment is usually moderate. The noise level in the manufacturing environment may exceed 85 DBA and require hearing protection. Showering in and out of farm locations may be required.
• Some regional travel may be required.

Disclaimer

We embrace equal opportunity employment. Butterball is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.

This position is deemed Safety Sensitive for purposes of Butterball's Drug/Alcohol Screening & Testing Policy. Details will be provided to individuals who receive a conditional job offer, or upon request.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of what is required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not imply or establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.