Operations Manager – Food Manufacturing

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead operations at an established food manufacturing facility in Reidsville, North Carolina
. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership experience within food manufacturing, with a focus on Ready-to-Eat (RTE) and/or further-processing operations
.

This role will be responsible for driving safe, efficient, and compliant plant operations while leading teams, improving productivity, and supporting overall manufacturing performance.

Location: Reidsville, NC
Bonus: Discretionary bonus; not guaranteed
Relocation: Open to relocation; relocation package details to be confirmed
Industry: Food Manufacturing / Further Processing

The facility is located in Reidsville, North Carolina
, with the search also targeting qualified Operations and Plant leaders within the Research Triangle and broader Southeast region.

• Discretionary bonus may be available but is not guaranteed
  .
• Relocation candidates are welcome.
• Relocation package details are currently being finalized.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned food manufacturing operations leader who can effectively manage people and production while maintaining high standards for food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, productivity, and operational performance
.

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing and plant operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production.
• Provide leadership and direction to production and operations teams across multiple shifts.
• Drive operational performance, productivity, quality, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Quality, Food Safety, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and other departments to achieve plant objectives.
• Ensure compliance with USDA/FSIS, HACCP, food safety, and regulatory requirements
  .
• Maintain strong food safety and sanitation standards, including appropriate environmental monitoring practices.
• Develop, coach, and manage plant leadership and production teams.
• Monitor key operational metrics and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve throughput, control costs, and increase operational efficiency.
• Establish and maintain effective operating procedures, processes, and performance standards.
• Support workforce planning, staffing, training, and employee development.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on operational strategy, plant performance, and improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a strong culture of accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Significant leadership experience in food manufacturing, food processing, or a related manufacturing environment
  .
• Strong experience leading plant or operations teams in a high-volume production environment.
• Experience with RTE and/or further-processing operations strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of USDA/FSIS and food safety requirements
  .
• Working knowledge of HACCP and food safety programs
  .
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop managers/supervisors, and drive operational accountability.
• Demonstrated experience improving manufacturing performance, productivity, quality, and efficiency.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.

• Experience in Ready-to-Eat (RTE), further-processing, or USDA-inspected food manufacturing facilities
  .
• Experience with environmental monitoring and Listeria prevention/control programs
  .
• Experience working directly with USDA/FSIS requirements and inspections.
• Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations.
• Candidates with experience in both slaughter and significant RTE/further-processing operations may be considered.
• Strong background in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing practices.