Plant Manager

Position Summary

The Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of poultry processing plant operations, ensuring production goals, quality standards, food safety requirements, employee development, and profitability objectives are achieved. The Plant Manager will provide leadership and direction to production, maintenance, quality assurance, sanitation, warehouse, and shipping departments while promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Direct and coordinate all daily poultry processing operations.
• Develop and implement production plans to meet customer demands and company objectives.
• Monitor production efficiency, labor utilization, yields, and plant performance metrics.
• Ensure equipment, staffing, and resources are effectively utilized to maximize productivity.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, increase efficiencies, and lower operational costs.

Food Safety and Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, SSOP, GMP, and all applicable food safety regulations.
• Partner with Quality Assurance personnel to maintain superior product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee corrective action programs and ensure timely resolution of quality concerns.
• Participate in audits and inspections by regulatory agencies and customers.

Employee Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and develop department managers, supervisors, and team members.
• Foster a positive work environment focused on teamwork, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained across all departments.
• Support recruitment, training, performance management, and succession planning efforts.
• Promote compliance with company policies and procedures.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety standards.
• Investigate workplace incidents and oversee corrective and preventive actions.
• Conduct regular safety reviews and ensure employee training requirements are met.

Financial Management

• Manage operating expenses and departmental budgets.
• Monitor plant performance against financial goals.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction while maintaining quality and service standards.
• Review labor costs, yields, inventory, and operating efficiencies to improve profitability.

Maintenance and Facility Management

• Ensure preventive maintenance programs are effectively executed.
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel to minimize downtime and maximize equipment reliability.
• Oversee facility improvements and capital projects as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready facility.

Customer and Vendor Relations

• Maintain strong relationships with customers, vendors, regulatory agencies, and industry partners.
• Support efforts to improve customer satisfaction and service levels.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure availability of materials and services necessary for production.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Agriculture, Food Science, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of 7-10 years of manufacturing or poultry processing experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive management experience in a food processing environment.
• Previous poultry processing management experience strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of poultry processing operations.
• Strong understanding of USDA regulations, HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and food safety programs.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience managing production metrics, labor utilization, and operating budgets.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced production environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and production management systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Ability to work in cold, wet, humid, and occasionally noisy environments.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Work Environment

This position is based in a poultry processing facility and requires regular interaction with production employees, management, inspectors, customers, and vendors. Work schedules may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and extended hours as required by production demands.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety Incident Rate
• USDA/Food Safety Compliance Scores
• Production Throughput
• Yield Performance
• Labor Cost Percentage
• Employee Retention and Turnover Rates
• Customer Quality Complaints
• Downtime and Equipment Reliability Metrics
• Budget Performance

Custom Craft Poultry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a safe, productive, and inclusive work environmen

Pay: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• do you have at least 5 years experience in poultry processing management?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $110,000 - $130,000