General Manager

• VP-level leadership role reporting directly to the CEO of an established, privately held food manufacturer
• Lead the ramp-up of a recently opened facility with committed customer demand
• Onsite in SE Iowa, offering competitive base salary + 35% bonus + relocation support.

An established food manufacturer is seeking a General Manager to complete the ramp-up of its Iowa facility and support the company’s next phase of growth. The business supplies value-added products to foodservice and retail customers, with a focus on quality, product innovation, and long-term customer relationships.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the General Manager will own the site’s operational and financial performance and lead a multidisciplinary team across production, maintenance, engineering, sanitation, quality, food safety, and support functions. The priorities are to establish reliable production, deliver the operating plan and build a cohesive leadership team capable of supporting additional business.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete the operational ramp-up by stabilizing equipment and production processes in partnership with engineering, maintenance, and equipment vendors.
• Deliver the production and financial plan, increasing throughput as customer demand grows while managing labor, yield, overhead and other operating costs.
• Develop the plant manager and functional leaders, establish shared priorities, and clear accountability, and build a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and employee development.
• Establish daily, weekly, and monthly performance reviews, using operating data and financial reporting to identify issues and drive corrective action through the team.
• Own the site P&L, operating budget and capital plan, aligning staffing, equipment improvements, and automation with business needs.
• Partner with executive leadership and corporate functions to strengthen site capabilities and prepare for future growth.
• Maintain food safety, quality, and employee safety standards throughout the ramp-up.

Qualifications

• Progressive food manufacturing leadership experience, including direct site and P&L accountability.
• USDA-regulated food manufacturing experience.
• Experience leading a startup or facility ramp-up, including equipment reliability, maintenance, and vendor management.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver operating plans, manage capital investment, and improve plant financial performance.
• Experience using ERP and business intelligence systems to track performance and support decisions.
• Track record of developing cross-functional leadership teams, building culture, and strengthening accountability.
• Food safety oversight and union or labor relations experience are advantages.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, animal science, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Hands-on leadership style with maturity, humility and commercial judgment, and the ability to build structure in a fast-paced environment.