Production Supervisor - USDA Processing Facility

The Production Supervisor oversees all daily operations within a USDA‑regulated processing facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and fully compliant production across all protein fabrication, portion cutting, trimming, packaging, and cold‑chain handling. Job responsibilities include planning, scheduling and directing the work efforts of the production department to meet and/or exceed, productivity, safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals, and ensure the department operates according to established company policies and procedures.

This role provides leadership to production and frontline teams, maintains strong alignment with USDA inspectors, and drives continuous improvement in yield, quality, and operational performance.

• Direct and oversee all protein production operations, including receiving, carcass/primals breakdown, trimming, portion cutting, grinding (if applicable), packaging, and shipping.
• Review and record all production documentation.
• Monitor production flows, workforce allocation, and equipment performance to ensure output meets yield, quality, and schedule targets.
• Partner with planning and procurement to ensure correct inventory, accurate cut‑plan execution, and optimal product utilization.
• Monitor and maintain inventory levels in the material handling and production areas by using a warehouse management system.

• Ensure full compliance with USDA regulations, facility HACCP plans, GMPs, SSOPs, and all company food safety procedures.
• Interface daily with USDA FSIS inspectors; respond quickly and professionally to non‑compliance findings (NRs) and verify corrective/preventive actions.
• Oversee accurate documentation of CCPs, pre‑op/post‑op sanitation records, temperature logs, and production traceability records.

• Maintain strict adherence to customer specifications for protein quality, trim levels, weights, and appearance.
• Work closely with management on audits, specification reviews, and corrective actions.
• Continuously monitor product quality and identify opportunities to reduce defects and improve consistency.
• Lead and mentor Production Leads and hourly team members across assigned shifts.
• Train, coach, and develop staff to improve skills, performance, and accountability.
• Build a positive, safety‑first culture that encourages communication, problem‑solving, and teamwork.

• Enforce all safety policies and ensure a safe working environment in cold‑temperature beef processing rooms.
• Lead root‑cause investigations for safety incidents or near‑misses and implement corrective actions.
• Verify sanitation readiness of processing areas, tools, and equipment before production starts.

• Identify opportunities to improve yields, minimize trim loss, and enhance labor efficiency.
• Support the implementation of lean manufacturing and standardized work practices.
• Analyze daily production data, downtime, yields, and KPI trends to drive improved results.

• 3+ years of supervisory or team leader experience in a USDA-regulated further processing protein facility.
• Deep understanding of protein fabrication, portioning, primal/subprimal handling, and yield optimization.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and USDA/FSIS regulatory requirements.
• Proven leadership experience managing production and frontline teams.
• Ability to work in cold‑environment processing areas for extended periods.

• Experience with high‑volume case‑ready programs or custom portion‑cut operations.
• Background in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Food Science, Meat Science, or related field is a plus.
• Cold‑chain beef processing environment (typically 32–45°F).
• Standing, walking, lifting, and supervising production activities for extended periods.
• May require flexible hours, including early mornings, late nights, or weekends based on production needs.