Fabrication Operations Manager

Description

Summary/Objective

The Fabrication Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing all meat fabrication operations, including production processes, cutting, processing, yield management, labor utilization, workforce management, and operational supervision. This role ensures all production activities comply with company policies and USDA regulatory requirements while maintaining high standards of employee safety, food safety, product quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Key responsibilities include developing, maintaining, and supervising all aspects of fabrication operations at OWB Packers. The Fabrication Operations Manager implements corrective actions and leads continuous improvement initiatives focused on improving operational performance, reducing downtime, improving yields, reducing operational costs, and supporting overall production efficiency.

This position works closely with other departments to ensure seamless coordination of fabrication production runs, inventory management, export requirements, customer specifications, and production schedules to meet operational and customer demands. The role is focused on driving continuous improvement, operational accountability, workforce stability, regulatory compliance, and consistent operational execution.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Production Operations

Manage daily meat fabrication operations including cutting, trimming, processing, packaging, and production flow.

• Oversee carcass grading, sortation, and processing in accordance with company, customer, export, and USDA requirements.

• Review production schedules and coordinate labor, workflow, staffing, and overtime to meet production and delivery requirements.

• Maintain a strong daily presence on the production floor to support employees, monitor operations, and drive execution.

• Ensure machinery, equipment, and facilities are properly maintained, sanitized, and operating safely and efficiently.

• Partner with Maintenance to identify recurring equipment failures, reduce operational downtime, and support preventative maintenance initiatives.

• Monitor line efficiencies, throughput, labor utilization, workflow performance, and operational productivity.

• Ensure all products meet customer specifications, export requirements, labeling requirements, and company quality standards.

• Maintain accurate production records, reporting systems, labor reporting, and operational tracking systems.

• Assist in managing production priorities during operational challenges, staffing shortages, or changing customer demands.

Quality, Yield & Food Safety Compliance

Monitor product yield, quality, trim performance, cut accuracy, and consistency to minimize waste and maximize operational efficiency.

• Maintain yield standards and control labor costs while ensuring profitability and product quality.

• Lead efforts focused on reducing customer claims, product defects, rework, and operational losses.

• Ensure products meet customer specifications, company standards, export requirements, and all regulatory requirements.

• Implement and monitor food safety and sanitation programs, including HACCP, USDA, GMP, SSOP, and company policies.

• Develop and review operational and quality assurance metrics such as audits, yield performance, efficiency trends, downtime, and labor performance.

• Support QA and Food Safety teams during audits, customer visits, regulatory reviews, and corrective action initiatives.

Leadership & Personnel Management

• Lead, supervise, train, mentor, coach, and evaluate fabrication and production personnel.

• Promote a culture where employee safety and food safety are non-negotiable.

• Hire, discipline, reward, and terminate employees in accordance with company policies and procedures.

• Conduct performance evaluations and establish clear goals while providing ongoing feedback, accountability, and employee development.

• Promote teamwork, accountability, professionalism, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

• Promote workforce stability, attendance…