Director of Operations

About Vermont Livestock Slaughter & Processing

Vermont Livestock Slaughter & Processing (VLSP) is an 8000-square-foot slaughter and meat processing business whose mission is to provide high-quality processing services to the regional livestock industry. As a USDA-inspected facility, VLSP is equipped to slaughter and process beef, lamb, and pork for clients in Vermont and out-of-state. VLSP caters to a wide range of clients from private individuals with a few head each year or commercial producers harvesting multiple animals regularly.

VLSP believes independent, small, local meat processing facilities are critical to making regional food systems function and as such, is proud of its role in the farming and food community of northern New England, supporting regional farmers who raise livestock with humane practices and pasture-based systems.

VLSP recently completed a $10M renovation and modernization process. The facility was completely rebuilt and upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment, additional cold-storage and cutting floor area, and property-wide investments such as solar array and improved livestock holding areas. The renovation has tripled VLSP’s weekly throughput capacity and greatly increased processing services and capabilities. These upgrades reflect the ownership team’s commitment to positioning VLSP for long-term, sustainable, generational success and role in New England’s meat processing ecosystem.

VLSP is looking for an experienced Director of Operations who can lead processing and business operations in this new era for the facility. We seek a leader who has strong capabilities for managing slaughter and processing operations, mentoring and developing the team, continually improving services and products, overseeing best practices in regulatory and food safety matters, implementing a modernized sales and marketing strategy, and leading relationship development and community engagement in the region.

Experienced leadership with an entrepreneurial disposition is critical to helping the business achieve its current objectives and future growth goals. This position will report directly to the Business Ownership Team and work closely with them to lead overall business planning, annual budgeting, and strategic direction setting for VLSP.

• Oversee day-to-day operations of receiving, slaughter, processing, logistics and customer coordination.
• Set and maintain operating standards and systems across receiving, slaughter, fabrication, value-add processing, packaging, cold storage, and fulfillment and distribution.
• Ensure full compliance with USDA inspections, HACCP management, GMP adherence, and general food safety and product traceability standards.
• Oversee QA/QC programs, audits, and continuous improvement efforts via documented SOPs and quantitative measurement.
• Uphold a safe, high-performance, and accountable company culture aligned with core company principles and values.
• Lead oversight of all facilities, service areas, and equipment, including rigorous day-to-day organization and cleaning of all operational areas, machinery, tools, and equipment.
• Oversee the administration of the regular preventative maintenance and of all facilities and equipment, and the timely repair and replacement of facilities and equipment when needed.

• Work alongside staff as needed during slaughter and processing shifts to observe and improve operational systems.
• Lead the staff development and team building processes, including recruiting, hiring, training, disciplinary processes, and termination.
• Ensure that all employees are included in a consistently administered program of professional development and performance evaluation.

• Oversee administrative team to ensure all accounting and bookkeeping processes, timekeeping and payroll processing, vendor account maintenance, are completed accurately and on time.
• Work with the financial support to ensure that all financial planning, ownership reporting, and KPI dashboard expectations are completed accurately and on time.
• Oversight of all regulatory compliance processes are in…