Poultry Processing Plant Manager

Role Overview

This role manages the day-to-day operations of a food processing plant, ensuring production targets are met while maintaining strict food safety and quality standards. You will coordinate shift schedules, monitor output efficiency, and lead a team of production staff to minimise waste and control operational costs. Your work directly supports the plant’s ability to deliver safe, consistent products on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and adjust daily production runs to meet demand while optimising equipment and labour usage.
• Enforce HACCP and ISO food safety protocols throughout all processing stages, conducting regular audits.
• Establish and monitor quality assurance checkpoints, addressing any deviations promptly.
• Supervise and develop shift supervisors and line operators, including training on procedures and safety.
• Track production metrics such as yield, downtime, and waste, then implement corrective actions.
• Manage raw material inventory levels and coordinate with supply chain to avoid shortages.
• Ensure all equipment is maintained according to schedule and coordinate repairs with maintenance teams.
• Prepare weekly and monthly operational reports for management, highlighting key performance indicators and improvement areas.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a closely related field.
• Minimum five years of hands-on processing experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HACCP principles and ISO standards (e.g., ISO 22000, ISO 9001).
• Proven ability to lead production teams, including shift planning, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Experience with production scheduling, budgeting, and cost-control analysis.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a track record of implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Computer literacy – proficient with ERP systems, spreadsheets, and reporting tools.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for cross-departmental coordination and regulatory reporting.