Meat Production Manager

Job Overview

We're looking for a hands-on Meat Production Manager to lead our Meat Department and drive safe, efficient, and high-quality production. In this role, you'll lead a team of 20–40 employees (seasonally), oversee daily operations, and be accountable for key performance metrics including yield, waste reduction, order fulfillment, safety, labor efficiency, and product quality.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, a commitment to food safety, and a passion for developing people while continuously improving operations.

Key ResponsibilitiesProduction & Operations

• Lead day-to-day Meat Department operations to ensure production goals, quality standards, and customer commitments are achieved.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of 20–40 employees while fostering a positive, accountable work environment.
• Develop production schedules, balance staffing, and optimize labor utilization.
• Monitor and improve key performance metrics including yield, waste, throughput, labor efficiency, and on-time order fulfillment.
• Identify process improvements and implement Lean Manufacturing principles to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
• Maintain a strong understanding of warehouse operations, inventory flow, and production planning.

Food Safety & Quality

• Ensure compliance with USDA, SQF, GMP, HACCP, allergen control, sanitation, traceability, recall procedures, customer requirements, and company food safety policies.
• Lead preparation for USDA inspections, customer audits, and third-party food safety audits, ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Champion a culture where food safety and product quality are top priorities.

Safety Leadership

• Lead department safety initiatives by conducting safety observations, investigating incidents, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring PPE and OSHA compliance.
• Foster a culture of safety accountability throughout the department.

Team Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop supervisors, line leaders, and production employees.
• Build a cross-trained workforce through effective training and succession planning for key production roles.
• Provide regular coaching, performance feedback, and employee development opportunities.

Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Sales, Purchasing, and R&D to support production planning, inventory management, new product launches, and customer demand.
• Develop production plans one to two weeks in advance to meet customer orders while minimizing overtime.
• Continuously analyze production data to improve productivity, reduce waste, and drive operational excellence.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 5 years of leadership experience in food manufacturing, meat processing, or a USDA-regulated production environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing production teams of 20 or more employees.
• Strong knowledge of USDA regulations, SQF, GMPs, HACCP, food safety, sanitation, and quality systems.
• Experience managing production schedules, labor planning, inventory, and warehouse operations.
• Demonstrated success improving key performance metrics such as yield, waste reduction, labor efficiency, safety, and on-time order fulfillment.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing or other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills with the ability to build engaged, high-performing teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP or production management systems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and adapt to changing production priorities.

Reports to Plant Manager

Pay: $90,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Experience:

• Food manufacturing management : 2 years (Required)
• Food Safety: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Safe Quality Food Certification (Required)

Location:

• Grand Rapids, MI 49512 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Grand Rapids, MI 49512 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Grand Rapids, MI 49512: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $105,000