Senior Meat Processing Operations Leader

Hudson Manpower Inc.; Cherokee (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Hudson Manpower Inc. is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the meat/food manufacturing operations, driving safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement across the plant floor.

The role requires strong leadership, 5+ years in food/manufacturing operations, and deep experience with USDA/FSIS compliance. Based in Reidsville, NC and Cherokee, IA, the position is full-time and hands-on on the production floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Business, Food Science, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive managerial experience in meat/food manufacturing.
• Meat manufacturing experience is required.
• Experience working in a USDA/FSIS-regulated food manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing departmental budgets and capital expenditures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Operations department within a meat/food manufacturing facility.
• Work closely with the General Manager and department heads to ensure smooth plant operations.
• Maintain a strong focus on food safety, plant safety, quality, productivity, and cleanliness.
• Maintain a daily presence on the production floor and establish a high level of operational urgency.
• Lead and hold Production Superintendents and operations leadership accountable for performance and results.
• Coordinate staffing and hiring activities with Human Resources and other department leaders.
• Develop team depth and succession plans for key Operations positions.
• Monitor facility activities, production performance, operational results, and departmental status.
• Develop and manage Operations departmental budgets and capital expenditure plans.
• Manage relationships with key vendors and suppliers.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide coaching and feedback, and support employee development and promotions.
• Partner with HR on succession planning and leadership development.
• Support continuous improvement, process improvement, and productivity initiatives.
• Work closely with USDA/FSIS and maintain compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensure USDA/FSIS non-compliance reports and corrective actions are addressed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Identify and remove operational barriers that impact productivity, quality, safety, and company objectives.
• Communicate significant operational issues, including product contamination, equipment failures, downtime, and workplace injuries, to senior management.

Skills

Meat/food manufacturing

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Budget & capital expenditure

Production planning

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Meat Science, Business, Food Science, or related field

Job description

Hudson Manpower Inc. is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the meat/food manufacturing operations, driving safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement across the plant floor.

The role requires strong leadership, 5+ years in food/manufacturing operations, and deep experience with USDA/FSIS compliance. Based in Reidsville, NC and Cherokee, IA, the position is full-time and hands-on on the production floor.