Operations Manager – Meat Processing
Location: St Charles, IL
Compensation: $130,000 - $160,000 + Bonus: Up to 15%, paid quarterly (based on education and experience)
Why This Role Stands Out

Lead a high-output meat processing and high-speed packaging operation with three direct reports and 80+ employees
Relocation assistance available for candidates outside the Chicagoland area
Work for an established food manufacturer with a growing and well-known product portfolio
Direct access to a tenured Director of Operations who provides strong leadership support
Metrics-driven culture using KPI scorecards and Red Zone production management systems

About the Role
This is a floor-based production leadership role at a large-scale, USDA-regulated meat processing and packaging facility focused on ready-to-eat products. You will oversee multiple production lines across a 300,000 square foot facility, spending time on the floor leading through presence, accountability, and clear expectations rather than from behind a desk.
This role requires someone who can present to CEO-level leadership, understand production financials, drive KPIs, and build a team culture rooted in accountability and respect. If you have a strong background in USDA ready-to-eat meat manufacturing and want a high-visibility leadership role with real earning potential, this is worth a serious look.
Responsibilities

Oversee all daily production operations across multiple meat processing and packaging lines in a USDA-regulated, ready-to-eat manufacturing environment
Manage and develop production supervisors and a workforce of employees
Drive KPI performance across yield, schedule attainment, and labor efficiency
Use Red Zone or similar production management systems to monitor real-time floor performance
Ensure compliance with USDA, OSHA, and all applicable food safety and regulatory requirements
Partner with HR on hiring, corrective action, employee development, and labor relations
Monitor production costs, labor utilization, and budget adherence
Lead short and long-term planning efforts in alignment with the Director of Operations
Maintain a strong floor presence and build a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
Collaborate cross-functionally with quality, maintenance, and scheduling teams

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required, ideally in Engineering, Animal Science, Operations / leadership or related education
5+ years of experience in a USDA-regulated, ready-to-eat meat processing environment
Proven leadership presence with the ability to communicate clearly at all levels including executive leadership
Strong working knowledge of production KPIs, OEEs, labor metrics, and yield management
Experience with Red Zone or comparable production management systems preferred
Comfortable and effective in a union manufacturing environment
Bilingual English and Spanish a plus
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP preferred

Ready to Apply?
This is a well-supported role with a strong team, clear expectations, and real upside for the right leader. If you have the USDA meat processing background and the leadership presence to match, we want to hear from you. Apply now and let's connect.

#ZR

Company Description

The team at JSK Recruiting, Inc. prides itself on providing boutique-level services combined with the resources of a larger recruiting firm. We forgo the traditional nine-to-five workday model in favor of complete accessibility. We are here for our clients and candidates when they need us most.

With 12 years of experience in the field of supply chain and manufacturing recruiting, we maintain the relationships that employers are looking for in a recruiting firm as well as those that talented professionals need when they are ready to make a career change.

At JSK Recruiting, we provide complete recruiting services, from sourcing candidates to organizing the interview process. Finding both long-term employees and rewarding careers across manufacturing and supply chain positions has never been easier.

JSK Recruiting, Inc

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