Operations Manager – Meat and Food Manufacturing || Reidsville, NC / Cherokee, IA

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead and develop the Operations department within a food manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will have strong meat/food manufacturing experience, progressive operations leadership experience, and a solid understanding of USDA/FSIS-regulated facilities.

This role will be responsible for driving operational performance, food and plant safety, quality, productivity, cleanliness, employee development, and continuous improvement while ensuring customer and company expectations are consistently met.

Locations: Reidsville, NC / Cherokee, IA Industry: Meat & Food Manufacturing Employment Type: Full-Time

Key Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and manage 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.