Assistant Plant Manager

Job Title: Assistant Plant Manager

Location: Valley, AL


Department: Operations


Reports To: Plant Manager


Travel: Less than 10%

Overview of Company

John Soules Foods is a thriving family-owned food company that has made a positive difference for its customers and consumers for nearly 50 years. Our purpose and promise of Great Food, Made Simple® drives us. Based in Tyler, Texas, the company is a leading national producer of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook chicken and beef products and is the number one producer of chicken and beef fajitas in the USA. We proudly serve a broad portfolio of great-tasting, high-quality products sold throughout the US via retail, food service distributors, and restaurants. Our wide array of national customers includes prominent organizations such as Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, Sysco, and HEB. The company was established in 1975 by John Soules Sr., and the business is now in the second generation of family leadership. The organization has expanded dramatically over the past decade, and with its continued growth, it now has annual sales of approximately $1 billion. The company employs over 2,000 individuals and has three manufacturing facilities in Gainesville, Georgia; Valley, Alabama; and its headquarters in Tyler, Texas.


Job Summary

The Assistant Plant Manager supports the Plant Manager in overseeing all daily operations of the RTE poultry processing facility located in Valley, AL. This role helps ensure production efficiency, product quality, safety compliance, and team development. The Assistant Plant Manager plays a key role in implementing processes that promote stewardship, culture, productivity, and customer satisfaction while preparing to assume greater leadership responsibilities in the future.

Relocation is required for this position.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (Required)
• Bachelor's degree in Management, Operations, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory or management experience in a poultry or food manufacturing environment (RTE preferred).
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Knowledge of RTE poultry processing equipment, GMPs, HACCP, OSHA, and plant safety practices.
• ERP and MRP systems experience preferred.
• Commitment to manufacturing safe, legal, quality food products.

Preferred Qualifications
• Previous experience in a continuous improvement or lean manufacturing environment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Key Responsibilities
• Assist in leading plant operations to ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality production.
• Collaborate with the Plant Manager to implement process improvements for safety, productivity, and cost control.
• Support coordination across departments to optimize workflow and resource utilization.
• Monitor production data and assist in generating reports for performance analysis.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives using lean and continuous improvement tools.
• Support Quality Assurance initiatives to maintain regulatory compliance and product integrity.
• Assist with audits and corrective actions to ensure plant meets industry standards.
• Partner with Safety and Operations teams to promote a strong safety culture and minimize workplace incidents.
• Help maintain GMP compliance and sanitation standards across the facility.
• Assist in managing budgets related to staffing, supplies, and maintenance.
• Recommend improvements for efficiency and cost reduction.
• Provide leadership and development for supervisors and employees.
• Promote a positive culture aligned with company values and vision.
• Support onboarding and employee engagement activities.

Work Environment

This job is carried out in a professional office setting and involves using standard office equipment like laptops, desk phones, and smartphones. Regular visits to production facilities are required. During those visits, the employee is occasionally exposed to cold and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, cold temperatures, electrical shock, and vibration risks. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided as needed.

Physical Demands

Employees must be able to stand, walk, or sit; use their hands for tasks; reach with their arms; and communicate verbally. Occasional lifting or moving of objects is necessary, along with close, distance, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following:
• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Company-paid Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• Company-paid Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life and Supplemental Insurance Options
• Employer-paid EAP
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Vacation
• Employer-paid Sam's Membership

John Soules Foods is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.


Applicants with disabilities needing accommodation during the application process can contact Human Resources at the relevant location.

Soules Foods will not discriminate against applicants who discuss their compensation. We also participate in the E-Verify program where required by law.

Unsolicited Assistance: Soules Foods does not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for U.S. positions. Resumes or candidate profiles submitted without a valid written request and search agreement from HR will be considered the property of Soules Foods. No fees will be paid for candidates hired through unsolicited referrals.