Position Title: Operations Manager
Department: Production & Plant Management
Reports To: Director of Operations
Location: Chesterfield, NJ
Classification: Full-Time
Job Summary
The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing, optimizing, and integrating all aspects of meat processing operations at Leader Meat Packing Corp, a USDA-inspected facility specializing in Turkish ready-to-eat products such as Sujuk, Gyro, Bastirma, and Dry Cured Meats. This role requires both technical and managerial competencies, including scientific analysis, ERP administration (Salesforce-based), regulatory compliance, and personnel supervision.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Production & Technical Oversight
• Monitor and manage production processes involving: Steam ovens, Fermentation chambers, Blast freezers and cold storage, Pneumatic Product Transport Systems, Boilers and refrigeration cycles
• Conduct root cause analysis and corrective actions for product deviations
• Apply knowledge of physics, thermodynamics, microbiology, and materials to optimize yield, efficiency, and food safety
Scientific & Quality Control Functions
• Monitor pH, temperature, moisture, and fermentation curves
• Work closely with QA team to implement and monitor HACCP protocols
• Analyze scientific data to support fermentation cycles and thermal processing
ERP & Salesforce System Integration
• Administer production modules in Salesforce-based ERP
• Integrate data from weighing systems, vacuum sealers, label printers, and barcode
• Generate yield, efficiency, and production reports
• Track raw material lots, batch records, and compliance logs digitally
Personnel & Administrative Management
• Supervise shift leads, production technicians, and packaging staff
• Oversee scheduling, timesheets, and training for new hires
• Develop and enforce SOPs and safety protocols
• Lead meetings and briefings with interdepartmental teams
• Serve as liaison with USDA inspectors and regulatory bodies
Operational Strategy & Cost Control
• Analyze production metrics to identify areas for improvement
• Manage waste reduction, labor optimization, and raw material usage
• Contribute to budget planning and expense tracking for plant operations
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, Business Administration, Physics, Food Science or Industrial Engineering
• Experience in food manufacturing or similar process-intensive industry
• Experience with ERP systems (Salesforce preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage cross-functional projects
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
Desirable Skills
• Understanding of USDA and FDA regulatory environments
• Familiarity with HACCP, GMP, and OSHA compliance
• Ability to interpret engineering schematics and process flow diagrams
• Strong Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and report automation skills
• Bilingual Turkish/English is a plus
