What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Manager – Processed Meat Production position at Synectics Inc.?
Position Overview
A leading meat and poultry processing company is seeking an Operations Leader to serve as the #2 to the Chief Operating Officer. This is not a desk job - the role requires a hands-on leader who spends time across three production facilities and a frozen distribution warehouse, walking the floor to assess performance and drive improvements.
The ideal candidate will have worked their way up through production, possess deep operational knowledge, and excel at observing, identifying, and implementing process improvements. You'll be visible and present in the facilities daily - taking the pulse of operations, coaching supervisors, and driving continuous improvement.
What You'll Be Doing
Operations Leadership & Oversight
Essential Experience
Leadership, Observation & Awareness, Continuous Improvement Mindset, Decision-Making, Communication, Quality Focus, Consistency, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Change Management
Work Requirements
A leading meat and poultry processing company is seeking an Operations Leader to serve as the #2 to the Chief Operating Officer. This is not a desk job - the role requires a hands-on leader who spends time across three production facilities and a frozen distribution warehouse, walking the floor to assess performance and drive improvements.
The ideal candidate will have worked their way up through production, possess deep operational knowledge, and excel at observing, identifying, and implementing process improvements. You'll be visible and present in the facilities daily - taking the pulse of operations, coaching supervisors, and driving continuous improvement.
What You'll Be Doing
- Spend most of your time on the production floor - observing, identifying issues, and implementing improvements
- Engage directly with supervisors and line teams to assess performance and resolve challenges
- Coach and develop supervisors to enhance efficiency and team performance
- Drive continuous improvement through identifying bottlenecks and improving processes
Operations Leadership & Oversight
- Oversee operations across multiple production facilities and a frozen distribution warehouse with consistent visibility
- Guide large teams across multiple shifts in USDA-inspected meat and poultry processing
- Ensure efficient conversion of raw materials to finished products while maintaining quality and food safety
- Identify opportunities to optimize production lines and maximize throughput
- Build, develop, and coach high-performing teams
- Strengthen accountability and enhance personnel performance
- Delegate effectively with strong follow-through
- Train teams on processes, quality standards, and continuous improvement practices
- Maintain full compliance with all USDA regulations and requirements
- Lead SQF and third-party regulatory audits
- Conduct regular walkthroughs to identify compliance and safety improvements
- Ensure adherence to product specifications and quality standards
- Promote a continuous improvement mindset across operations
- Identify and address bottlenecks and inefficiencies
- Partner with maintenance to improve equipment performance and production capability
- Use data and analytics to identify trends and drive operational decisions
Essential Experience
- Direct experience in meat and poultry processing operations
- Background working in USDA-inspected facilities
- Proven success managing large production teams
- Hands-on production floor experience and process optimization skills
- You prefer managing from an office rather than being on the floor daily
- You lack hands-on production experience
- You are content with the status quo and not driven by improvement
- In-depth understanding of USDA regulations
- Experience leading SQF and third-party audits
- Strong skills in food safety and personal safety programs
- Experience with high-volume, machine-driven production lines
- Knowledge of temperature-controlled environments for perishable products
- Familiarity with meat and poultry processing equipment
- Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, NetSuite, or similar)
- Strong computer and analytical skills
- Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities
Leadership, Observation & Awareness, Continuous Improvement Mindset, Decision-Making, Communication, Quality Focus, Consistency, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Change Management
Work Requirements
- Flexible working hours during operational needs
- On-site presence required across multiple facilities
- Ability to travel between locations as needed
- Work directly with senior leadership as the #2 operations partner
- Oversee large-scale operations supporting major national retailers
- Drive impactful process improvements and operational excellence
- Build and develop high-performing teams
- Stay connected to hands-on operations with visible, measurable impact