Senior Plant Operations Manager

Butterball•Ozark, AR

About The Position

The Senior Plant Operations Manager oversees the creation, implementation, and execution of operational strategies and goals to support on-time delivery, cost of sales, safety, product quality, and human resource management. The role oversees manufacturing activities, advances continuous improvement, and promotes effective and efficient operations. It collaborates across functions to meet product goals, reduce costs, and maintain high product quality. The position leads a large team of skilled individual contributors and/or people leaders, providing guidance, coaching, and support toward department goals. It oversees plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality control, shipping, production schedules, capacity utilization, inventory control, team member engagement, and safety programs. The manager contributes to strategic planning and budget management, monitors performance indicators, and implements improvements to efficiency, cost, workflows, and profitability. Work may take place in climate-controlled offices, manufacturing plants with conditions that can include cold, wet, warm, and chemical-exposure areas, and farm environments with outdoor seasonal conditions, live animals, and dust. Personal protective equipment is required in manufacturing and farm environments. Work near sick or diseased animals may require additional precautions; farm showering procedures may be required. Manufacturing noise may exceed 85 dBA and require hearing protection. Some regional travel may be required. The position is designated safety sensitive under Butterball’s Drug/Alcohol Screening & Testing Policy.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
At least 8 years of relevant experience, or demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role.
At least 2 years of leadership experience, or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role.
Advanced knowledge of the food manufacturing industry, USDA regulations and requirements, and administration of safety and health programs.
Firm knowledge of OSHA regulations, human resources principles, and employment law.
Expertise in production planning, resource allocation, and cost management.
Leadership skills to develop, mentor, coach, support, and motivate a large cross-functional team of people leaders.
Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, including the ability to influence people at all organizational levels internally and externally.
Proficiency in Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies, with the ability to identify and implement process improvements.
Project management skills and the ability to impact results.
Experience with innovation, strategic thinking, and oversight of cross-functional initiatives.
Business acumen and the ability to identify and mitigate long-term risk.
Ability to perform duties that may involve standing, sitting, talking, hearing, reaching, stooping, kneeling, using hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard, and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds.
Vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Ability to wear and work in personal protective equipment in manufacturing and farm environments.

Responsibilities

Manage a large team of skilled individual contributors and/or people leaders, providing guidance, coaching, and support to achieve department goals.
Handle human resources activities, including hiring, terminations, performance management, goal setting, team member development, and scheduling.
Enforce and contribute to the development of systems, policies, and procedures.
Contribute to strategic planning and budget management for the function.
Ensure operations comply with regulations, company policies, quality standards, and contractual obligations while maximizing yields and minimizing costs.
Oversee plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality control, shipping, production schedules, capacity utilization, inventory control, team member engagement, and safety programs.
Develop and implement strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize workflows.
Create and monitor adherence to key performance indicators, and support problem-solving, action plans, and risk mitigation.
Contribute to short- and long-term planning and guide the development of team goals and action plans aligned with organizational goals.
Implement continuous improvement methodologies to improve plant operations, reduce costs, improve performance, and increase profitability.
Identify opportunities to upgrade workforce skills through training, education, and project participation.
Oversee programs that support team member health and safety.
Manage and help create the operating budget in line with the current business plan.
Participate in safety audits, accident investigations, and other safety activities; implement corrective actions and reinforce a culture of safety.
Communicate operational goals and strategies to leadership.