About the Role
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<p class="font-claude-response-body"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Operations Manager – Protein Processing & Packaging </span></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Location: West Chicago, IL Compensation: $130,000–$160,000 base + quarterly bonus up to 15%</span></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Overview</span></strong></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">An established manufacturer of ready-to-eat protein seeks an Operations Manager for a large-scale processing and packaging site in compliance with USDA regulations. Are you ready to lead on the floor with a focus on production lines, hourly workforce management, and meeting key performance indicators?</span></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">The operation is performance-driven and structured, supported by experienced leadership. Your role is to leverage this foundation, establish credibility with the team, and drive results through a hands-on approach.</span></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Role Responsibilities</span></strong></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Direct the daily production in a USDA-compliant, ready-to-eat processing environment</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Supervise three direct reports and a team of 80+ hourly employees</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Manage key performance indicators related to yield, schedule, and labor efficiency</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Utilize enterprise systems for real-time production oversight and management</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Ensure full compliance with USDA, OSHA, and food safety standards</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Control production costs, labor allocation, and budget adherence</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Collaborate with HR on staffing, performance issues, and staff development</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Work closely with other teams to optimize production efficiency</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Present operational updates and plans to senior management regularly</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Lead both short and long-term planning efforts in collaboration with the Operations Director</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Establish a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement on the floor</span></p>
<p class="font-claude-response-body"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Qualifications</span></strong></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Preferably possess a degree in Engineering, Animal Science, or Operations, or have 10+ years of leadership experience in meat processing</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">2-5+ years of leadership in a USDA-regulated, ready-to-eat meat processing facility</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Ability to communicate effectively at all levels with a strong floor presence</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Understanding of production KPIs, OEEs, yield management, and labor metrics</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Experience with Red Zone or similar production systems is desirable</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Comfortable working in a union manufacturing environment</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is a plus</span></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal" style="margin-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif">Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems preferred</span></p>
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