We’re seeking a Director of Operations to lead production excellence, elevate team performance, and drive continuous improvement for a rapidly growing food manufacturer specializing in ready-to-eat meat products. This is a hands-on, high-impact leadership role for an operations professional who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys developing people, and wants to shape the future of a modern food manufacturing business backed by strong private-equity ownership.

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What You’ll Own

• Lead all day-to-day operations across Production, Maintenance, Quality, Safety/Environmental, and Supply Chain functions within a ready-to-eat protein facility.

• Champion a culture of food safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all shifts and departments.

• Analyze production performance and implement strategies to improve throughput, yield, and overall equipment efficiency (OEE).

• Drive process optimization and capital improvement projects focused on automation, labor efficiency, and return on investment.

• Coach and develop plant leaders and frontline supervisors, fostering strong engagement, communication, and results-driven performance.

• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF/BRC, and all regulatory standards.

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What You Bring

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in food manufacturing, with strong exposure to RTE or further-processed meats

• Demonstrated success improving yield, throughput, and operational performance in USDA-regulated facilities.

• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to build systems and processes from the ground up in a growing organization.

• Strong business acumen, problem-solving skills, and the ability to influence cross-functional initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.

• Experience with ERP systems and production planning software.