Plant Manager (Junior) Meat Processing - Leadership Development Track
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
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Mentorship by Senior Leaders with decades of experience in food manufacturing.
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Strategic exposure to plant performance, audits, halal certification, and cost controls.
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Defined growth path to Plant Manager roles as you deliver results and grow.
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A collaborative, innovation-focused culture where your voice matters and your ideas shape the floor.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Plant Operations & Production Management
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Assist in managing daily production operations with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.
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Apply lean principles to reduce waste and improve processes.
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Support production planning, equipment uptime, and staffing to meet targets.
2. Food Safety & Compliance
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Learn and uphold USDA, FDA, OSHA, and HACCP food safety regulations.
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Contribute to the halal certification process.
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Support documentation and readiness for audits and inspections.
3. Team Leadership & Workforce Management
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Manage 3–5 direct reports in a hands-on production environment.
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Coach and develop team members in safety, compliance, and production skills.
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Promote a positive work culture and support cross-functional communication.
4. Cost Awareness & Financial Metrics
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Learn to track and interpret KPIs across cost, quality, and throughput.
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Participate in cost-saving initiatives and supply chain coordination.
5. Continuous Improvement
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Identify improvement opportunities and participate in Kaizen events.
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Work on efficiency gains, waste reduction, and technology adoption.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration
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Work closely with the QA team, maintenance, logistics, and leadership.
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Build relationships with vendors and support end-to-end operational flow.
What We’re Looking For:
Education & Experience
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Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Engineering, Operations, or equivalent experience.
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5–8 years of experience in food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in meat or protein production.
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2+ years in a leadership or supervisory role with direct reports.
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Exposure to HACCP, GMPs, or other food safety standards is preferred.
Preferred Certifications
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HACCP Certification (Required)
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OSHA Safety Certification (Preferred)
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Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement experience is a plus
Skills & Traits
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Hands-on leadership style and desire to grow.
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Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills.
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Passion for continuous improvement and high-quality food production.
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Comfortable working in cold/refrigerated environments.
Work Environment & Schedule
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Location: On-site, 30 mins outside South Bend, Indiana
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Schedule: Full-time with occasional availability for urgent plant issues
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Environment: Includes physical activity and cold/refrigerated areas
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Travel: Occasional training, vendor visits, or leadership events
Compensation & Benefits:
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Competitive base salary with leadership bonus eligibility
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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
*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.