Operations Manager – Meat Manufacturing

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead operations at an established food manufacturing facility in Reidsville, North Carolina and Cherokee, IA. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership experience within food manufacturing, focusing on Ready‑to‑Eat (RTE) and/or further‑processing operations. This role will be responsible for driving safe, efficient, and compliant plant operations while leading teams, improving productivity, and supporting overall manufacturing performance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day manufacturing and plant operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production.
• Provide leadership and direction to production and operations teams across multiple shifts.
• Drive operational performance, productivity, quality, safety, and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Quality, Food Safety, Maintenance, Supply Chain and other departments to achieve plant objectives.
• Ensure compliance with USDA/FSIS, HACCP, and other food‑safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain strong food‑safety and sanitation standards, including environmental monitoring practices.
• Develop, coach and manage plant leadership and production teams.
• Monitor key operational metrics and implement corrective actions to improve performance.

Required profile

• Significant leadership experience in meat food manufacturing, food processing, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience leading plant or operations teams in a high‑volume production setting.
• Experience with Ready‑to‑Eat (RTE) and/or further‑processing operations preferred.
• Strong understanding of USDA/FSIS regulations and food‑safety requirements.
• Working knowledge of HACCP and food‑safety programs.
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop managers/supervisors, and drive operational accountability.
• Demonstrated experience improving manufacturing performance, productivity, quality and efficiency.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Operations, Business, Engineering or related field preferred.

Required skills

• USDA/FSIS regulations
• HACCP
• Environmental monitoring
• Listeria prevention/control programs
• Lean manufacturing practices
• Continuous‑improvement methodologies

What we offer

• Discretionary bonus (not guaranteed)
• Relocation package (details to be finalized)