Plant Manager (Junior) Meat Processing - Leadership Development Track

ZeroCarb LYFE

ZeroCarb LYFE

Posted on Mar 14, 2025

Job Title

Plant Manager (Junior) Meat Processing – Leadership Development Track

Location

30 minutes outside South Bend, Indiana

Job Summary

Are you a seasoned production supervisor or operations lead ready for your next big step? Join us as a Junior Plant Manager on a leadership development path where you'll be mentored to become a full-scale plant leader. You’ll gain end-to-end exposure to plant operations, food safety systems, and people management in a growing, impact-driven meat processing facility. We offer a hands-on environment where innovation, learning, and operational excellence go hand in hand.

This is your opportunity to fast-track your career with the full support of experienced leadership who are committed to mentoring and growing future industry leaders.

What You’ll Gain

  • Mentorship by Senior Leaders with decades of experience in food manufacturing.

  • Strategic exposure to plant performance, audits, halal certification, and cost controls.

  • Defined growth path to Plant Manager roles as you deliver results and grow.

  • A collaborative, innovation-focused culture where your voice matters and your ideas shape the floor.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Plant Operations & Production Management

  • ⁠Assist in managing daily production operations with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.

  • ⁠Apply lean principles to reduce waste and improve processes.

  • Support production planning, equipment uptime, and staffing to meet targets.

2. Food Safety & Compliance

  • ⁠Learn and uphold USDA, FDA, OSHA, and HACCP food safety regulations.

  • ⁠Contribute to the halal certification process.

  • Support documentation and readiness for audits and inspections.

3. Team Leadership & Workforce Management

  • Manage 3–5 direct reports in a hands-on production environment.

  • ⁠Coach and develop team members in safety, compliance, and production skills.

  • ⁠Promote a positive work culture and support cross-functional communication.

4. Cost Awareness & Financial Metrics

  • Learn to track and interpret KPIs across cost, quality, and throughput.

  • ⁠Participate in cost-saving initiatives and supply chain coordination.

5. Continuous Improvement

  • Identify improvement opportunities and participate in Kaizen events.

  • ⁠Work on efficiency gains, waste reduction, and technology adoption.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with the QA team, maintenance, logistics, and leadership.

  • ⁠Build relationships with vendors and support end-to-end operational flow.

What We’re Looking For:

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Engineering, Operations, or equivalent experience.

  • ⁠5–8 years of experience in food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in meat or protein production.

  • ⁠2+ years in a leadership or supervisory role with direct reports.

  • ⁠Exposure to HACCP, GMPs, or other food safety standards is preferred.

Preferred Certifications

  • ⁠HACCP Certification (Required)

  • OSHA Safety Certification (Preferred)

  • ⁠Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement experience is a plus

Skills & Traits

  • ⁠Hands-on leadership style and desire to grow.

  • ⁠Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills.

  • ⁠Passion for continuous improvement and high-quality food production.

  • ⁠Comfortable working in cold/refrigerated environments.

Work Environment & Schedule

  • Location: On-site, 30 mins outside South Bend, Indiana

  • Schedule: Full-time with occasional availability for urgent plant issues

  • Environment: Includes physical activity and cold/refrigerated areas

  • Travel: Occasional training, vendor visits, or leadership events

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Competitive base salary with leadership bonus eligibility

  • Structured development plan and 1:1 mentorship

Why This Role, Why Now

This is a unique chance to step into a high-impact, growth-focused role in a company that’s scaling fast and investing in talent. You won’t just “run” the plant—you’ll build the skills to one day lead it. We’re not just filling a seat; we’re shaping the next generation of operations leadership.

How to Apply:

Apply via the below link

Apply Now

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.*

Note: This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities. Duties may evolve over time to reflect your growth and the needs of the facility.