Operations Manager Raw Meat Processing Weekends

About the role

The Operations Manager – Raw Meat Processing is responsible for leading all raw meat production operations within a USDA-regulated facility. This role oversees daily cut, grind, blend, stuffing, and raw-material handling processes across all shifts. The Operations Manager ensures compliance with USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP, GMPs, and food safety programs while driving safety, yield performance, throughput, labor efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead all raw processing operations including tempering, grinding, blending, batching, marination, and staging.
• Ensure staffing, scheduling, and line balancing meet daily production requirements.
• Maintain control over CCPs, monitor yield performance, throughput, labor utilization, and waste levels.
• Own execution of raw meat processing SOPs and standardized work.
• Drive real-time corrective action when process or performance issues occur.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain for raw-material availability, specs, and inventory management.
• Work with QA on food safety, sampling plans, micro-results, and customer requirements.
• Support plant automation and process-change initiatives.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and Listeria control programs.
• Expertise in raw meat cutting, grinding, batching, blending, and raw-material handling processes.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret operational data and drive results.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and people-development skills.
• Proficiency in ERP/MES systems and production reporting tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Meat Science, Animal Science, Food Science, Engineering, or related field (preferred).
• 3–5 years of raw meat or protein processing experience in a USDA-regulated facility (strongly preferred).
• Prior leadership experience managing production teams.