Plant Manager - Cooked/Smokehouse Meats Experience (1146242)

Location: Tampa, FL Salary: $130,000.00 USD Annually - $150,000.00 USD Annually Description Food manufacturer in the Tampa, FL area is seeking a hands‑on Plant Manager with experience in directing cooked, Ready-to-Eat (RTE), or smokehouse meat operations. Proven leader in optimizing P&L, maximizing green-to-cooked yields, and driving OEE across thermal processing and high-speed packaging lines. Expert in USDA/FSIS compliance, thermal validation, and maintaining zero-tolerance post-lethality cleanrooms (Listeria prevention). Key Responsibilities Operations & Thermal Processing Lead daily operations across smoking, cooking, chilling, slicing, and packaging to meet schedule, labor, and unit-cost targets. Manage plant P&L, direct/indirect labor, scrap reduction, and yield optimization. Program and optimize batch/continuous smokehouses (airflow, humidity, cook profiles) for maximum yield and throughput. Drive Lean, 5S, and OEE improvements on high-speed slicing and MAP/vacuum packaging lines. Food Safety & USDA Compliance Serve as primary liaison to USDA/FSIS inspection personnel; resolve NRs proactively. Enforce HACCP, SSOP, PCQI, and SQF/BRC standards across all shifts. Oversee Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMP), air pressure controls, and strict hygienic zoning in RTE packaging environments. Safety & Team Leadership Champion a plant-wide OSHA safety culture, reducing lost-time incidents in cold/wet processing areas. Direct, mentor, and upskill department managers, supervisors, and hourly staff. Qualifications Experience: 7+ years in meat manufacturing leadership, with 3+ years strictly in Cooked, RTE, or Smokehouse operations. Education: B.S. in Meat Science, Food Science, Operations, or equivalent industry experience. Certifications: HACCP Certified | PCQI | SQF/BRC Practitioner (preferred). Technical Mastery: USDA, meat chemistry (curing, brine injection, tumbling), industrial smokehouse controls (Alkar, Fessmann, etc.), and automated packaging equipment. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Judge Group