Director of Operations

About the Company

The hiring company is a well-established poultry processor recognized for strong execution, consistent product standards, and ongoing innovation in both raw and further-processed product categories. With continued growth underway, the organization is looking for a seasoned Director of Operations to guide strategy across several manufacturing sites and raise performance across the board.

This senior-level opportunity is designed for a leader who can influence operating direction, unlock efficiency gains, and build strong teams in a fast-moving, customer-driven setting.

Role Summary

In this position, you will lead operations across multiple poultry processing plants, covering both raw and further-processing lines. Working closely with executive leadership, you will direct plant management teams to deliver results in safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, efficiency, and financial outcomes.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience overseeing multi-site poultry manufacturing and a solid history of improving performance in complex production environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the operational direction for several poultry processing facilities, spanning raw and further-processing activities.
• Raise performance across safety, quality, output, yield, throughput, customer service, and profitability.
• Create and implement operating plans that support the company’s long-term business goals.
• Guide, coach, and strengthen Plant Managers and senior operations leaders while reinforcing accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Make sure all sites meet USDA, FSIS, HACCP, FSMA, OSHA, GMP, SSOP, and other customer and regulatory expectations.
• Define and track KPIs to measure performance and uncover improvement opportunities.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement efforts throughout the organization.
• Work in close partnership with Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Sales, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Human Resources, and Finance to improve business results.
• Oversee capital planning, facility growth, automation efforts, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Improve labor efficiency, yield, waste reduction, and cost control without compromising quality or food safety.
• Assist with new product launches and process enhancements in further-processing operations.
• Support succession planning and leadership growth across operational teams.
• Promote a workplace culture focused on employee engagement, operational discipline, and continual improvement.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or a similar field is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
• At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience in poultry processing or protein manufacturing.
• Hands-on background leading both raw poultry processing and further-processing operations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple plants or large-scale processing operations.
• Strong understanding of USDA, FSIS, HACCP, FSMA, GMP, SSOP, and OSHA requirements.
• Solid financial and commercial judgment, including P&L ownership, budgeting, and capital planning.
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or similar improvement methods.
• Experience managing large teams spread across multiple locations.
• Strong capabilities in strategic planning, organization, and change management.
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills.

Key Competencies

• Executive-level operations leadership
• Management of multi-site manufacturing operations
• Expertise in poultry processing
• Understanding of raw and further-processing workflows
• Strategic planning and execution
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Food safety and regulatory compliance
• Financial and operational performance management
• Leadership development
• Change management
• Cross-functional collaboration

What the Employer Offers

• A highly competitive executive compensation package
• Annual performance-based bonus and long-term incentive potential
• Full medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits
• Relocation support, where applicable
• Room for career growth within a leading poultry processing business
• The chance to influence operating strategy and lead large-scale manufacturing across a growing organization