Superintendent - Plant Operations

RUPRECHT CO•Mundelein, IL

About The Position

The Superintendent – Plant Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operational leadership of one or more processing areas within the facility. This role provides direct leadership to Production Supervisors and is accountable for driving safe, efficient, and high-quality production while developing a highly engaged, performance-driven team. The Superintendent plays a critical role in achieving operational KPIs related to safety, quality, yield, cost, and throughput, while ensuring compliance with all regulatory, food safety, and company standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution preferred.
Minimum of 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing or protein processing.
Minimum of 5+ years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience with portioning equipment, Multivac systems, grinders, and similar processing equipment strongly preferred.
Strong working knowledge of: GMPs, HACCP, SQF, SPC OSHA and USDA regulations Manufacturing systems including BOMs, routings, capacity planning, work orders, inventory control, and shop floor control
Proven ability to analyze operational data and drive performance improvements.
Results-driven operational leadership
Strong people leadership and coaching skills
Problem-solving and root cause analysis
Clear communication and cross-functional collaboration
Continuous improvement mindset
High attention to detail with strong food safety focus

Nice To Haves

Butcher or protein processing experience highly desirable.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead and coach a team of Supervisors to achieve optimal plant performance, including safety, quality, productivity, yield, and labor efficiency.
Establish, communicate, and execute short- and long-term production goals aligned with facility and company objectives.
Ensure effective production planning and execution across all assigned processing areas.
Monitor and control downtime, yields, and operational losses; analyze root causes and drive corrective actions.
Partner closely with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
Ensure accurate reporting of production metrics and KPIs.
Maintain full accountability for product quality, food safety, food defense, and regulatory compliance within assigned areas.
Lead and support compliance with HACCP, SQF, USDA, and internal Quality Control Programs.
Assist in the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Initiate and lead corrective and preventive actions to address nonconformities related to product, process, or quality systems.
Ensure GMP, sanitation, and food safety standards are consistently followed on the production floor.
Build a strong, engaged, and accountable supervisory team through coaching, training, and performance management.
Support talent development, succession planning, and continuous skills improvement for supervisors and hourly teams.
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Partner with HR on employee relations, performance management, and workforce engagement initiatives.
Lead or actively participate in cross-functional initiatives involving Operations, Safety, Quality, Maintenance, and HR.
Support company-wide initiatives related to continuous improvement, safety culture, and operational excellence.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield improvement, waste reduction, labor optimization, and process efficiency.
Utilize data, KPIs, and manufacturing systems to support decision-making and operational improvements.
Perform other duties as assigned.