Role: Production Manager - Food Manufacturing
Location: Scottsbluff, NE
Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Schedule: Monday-Friday, with occasional weekend work

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee daily production operations in a meat processing and food manufacturing environment. This individual will ensure production schedules are met, orders are completed on time, quality standards are maintained, and production KPIs are consistently monitored and improved.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in USDA-regulated and BRC-certified food manufacturing facilities, preferably within the meat processing industry. Strong floor leadership, employee accountability, production planning, cost control, and continuous improvement skills are essential.

This position offers a development path toward broader plant management responsibilities, including increased ownership of financial planning, budgeting, and overall operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production operations to ensure schedules are achieved and customer orders are completed on time.

• Monitor and improve production KPIs, including output, efficiency, product yield, downtime, and quality.

• Ensure compliance with USDA regulations, BRC standards, GFSI requirements, HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and applicable food safety procedures.

• Maintain production, quality, food safety, and workplace safety standards.

• Lead and support production employees, including staffing, training, performance evaluations, accountability, and disciplinary processes.

• Coordinate daily production schedules and workforce requirements with plant management.

• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks, labor challenges, equipment downtime, and quality issues.

• Reduce production losses, improve yield, and increase operational efficiency through continuous improvement initiatives.

• Assist with controlling material, labor, overhead, and other operating expenses.

• Develop a foundational understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and cost management, with the opportunity to take on broader plant management responsibilities.

• Maintain accurate production records, reports, and quality documentation.

• Ensure food safety and security procedures are followed throughout manufacturing, handling, and storage.

• Collaborate with quality, maintenance, and plant leadership teams to resolve operational issues.

• Maintain a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety procedures.

• Report unsafe conditions, out-of-specification raw materials, and finished-product concerns through established reporting procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Experience working in USDA-regulated food manufacturing facilities.

• Experience in BRC-certified facilities.

• Previous production leadership or manufacturing management experience, preferably in meat processing or food production.

• Knowledge of HACCP, GFSI, GMPs, SSOPs, and food safety requirements.

• Ability to manage production schedules, meet deadlines, and monitor operational KPIs.

• Strong floor leadership, employee management, and accountability skills.

• Experience improving production efficiency, product yield, and reducing downtime or waste.

• Foundational understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and production cost control.

• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

• Ability to remain on your feet throughout the production shift and work in a physically demanding manufacturing environment.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. periodically.

• Willingness to work on-site in Scottsbluff, NE, Monday-Friday, with occasional weekends.

• Ability to complete applicable employment eligibility verification, background screening, and drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Management, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field.

• Three or more years of manufacturing or management experience in food production, if not otherwise demonstrated through equivalent relevant experience.

• Experience in meat processing, jerky production, or similar food manufacturing operations.

• Experience with production performance metrics, statistical analysis, and continuous improvement.

• Experience with labor planning, production cost analysis, inventory control, and waste reduction.

• Potential to progress into broader plant management and operational leadership responsibilities.

Compensation and Work Schedule

• Full-time, on-site position

• Monday-Friday schedule

• Occasional weekend work based on production requirements

• Opportunity for professional growth into broader plant management responsibilities