Job Title: Operations Lead

Compensation Range: $21.00/hr.
Department: Cut Up & Rehang
Reports To: Cut Up & Rehang Supervisor
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: Liberty facility
Work Arrangement: On-Site 
Shift / Schedule: 1st Shift
Travel Requirements: N/A 
Employment Type: Full-time 

Role Overview / Purpose and Scope 

The Operations Lead is responsible for supporting daily production operations by helping ensure procedures are followed, production lines start on time, product flow remains consistent, and customer specifications are met. This role helps drive productivity in the most cost-efficient manner possible while supporting food safety, quality, safety, and company standards. 

The Operations Lead supports supervisors by helping direct team members, filling in at production positions as needed, assisting with production paperwork, training new team members, and monitoring department performance. This position plays an important role in supporting team member performance, development, safety, work schedules, and daily operational success.

Key Responsibilities 

• Assist the Supervisor with getting the Cut-up & Rehang line started on time each day. 

• Help ensure all procedures are followed to support productivity, cost efficiency, customer specifications, and consistent product flow. 

• Direct and lead team members during daily production operations as assigned. 

• Fill in at any position as needed to ensure consistent product flow. 

• Assist the Supervisor with production paperwork as needed. 

• Respond to USDA inspectors and their concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. 

• Help train new team members and monitor their performance. 

• Perform production checks to ensure the department is performing to established standards. 

• Assist supervisors and managers with issues in other departments of the plant as needed. 

• Support compliance with food safety programs, quality standards, safety requirements, and company procedures. 

• Promote a safe work environment by following safety requirements and helping prevent and report unsafe acts or conditions. 

• Support team member performance, development, safety, and work schedule needs as assigned. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Benefits: Farmer Focus offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support team members’ health, financial well-being, and professional growth. Available offerings may include weekly payroll, paid time off and sick leave, semi-subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision plan options, a 401(k) plan with company match, HSA and FSA, education reimbursement opportunities, employee assistance programs (EAP), and internal learning, development, and career growth programs. 

All benefits, programs, and offerings are subject to eligibility requirements, plan terms, and company policies, and may be changed, amended, or discontinued by Farmer Focus at any time. 

Qualifications 

• Excellent attendance required. 

• Must know or be willing to learn all jobs in the Operations department. 

• Basic math and reading skills. 

• Ability to complete paperwork as needed. 

• Proven performance and positive attitude. 

• Ability to help train new team members and monitor performance. 

• Ability to assist with leading hourly team members in a production environment. 

• Ability to promote safety, food safety, animal welfare, and operational standards. 

• Ability to respond to team member concerns and support team member engagement. 

• Ability to follow and enforce company policies, procedures, and safety requirements. 

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 70 pounds. 

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation 

Responsibilities:

• Assist Supervisor on getting the Roll Stock started daily on time.
• Fill in as needed at any position to ensure a consistent product flow.
• Assist Supervisor with Production paperwork as needed.
• Respond to USDA inspectors and their concerns in a timely and correct manner.
• Help train new team members and monitor their performance.
• Perform production checks to ensure the department is performing to standards.
• Assist other supervisors and managers with issues in other departments in the plant.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Previous experience in operations, poultry processing, food processing, production, or manufacturing. 

• Prior lead, trainer, or informal leadership experience. 

• Experience working with USDA inspectors or supporting regulatory expectations in a production environment. 

• Familiarity with production paperwork, production checks, and department start-up procedures. 

New team members must be able to pass a drug and alcohol screening post-offer and prior to the start of their employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of their third day of work. 

Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel 

Work is conducted primarily in a manufacturing and poultry production environment. This role requires access to production areas and may require working on or near production lines, including the Hand/Leg Debone line or other assigned departments. The team member must be able to tolerate varying heat, wet, and chill conditions within the plant. Hearing and eye protective equipment are required in the production area. Hair and beard nets are required in the production area. Additional personal protective equipment may be required based on task, location, and safety requirements. This position may require standing for long periods, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, working near production equipment, filling in at various department positions, and occasionally lifting up to 70 pounds. The role may also require working in a fast-paced environment where priorities and production needs can change quickly. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

This position does not have an application deadline. Farmer Focus will recruit until the role is filled. 

Recruiter and Agency Disclaimer 

Unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted by staffing agencies, recruiters, or search firms to any Farmer Focus employee without a current written agreement and an active, role-specific request from the Recruiting team will be considered the property of Farmer Focus. Farmer Focus will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume or candidate profile. 

All external recruiters and agency partners supporting Farmer Focus searches must comply with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including compensation transparency requirements and restrictions on seeking salary history where applicable. 

About Farmer Focus 

Farmer Focus exists to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is grounded in servant leadership and guided by our CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. Our top priorities are people, safety, and quality. At Farmer Focus, our vision is to disrupt the status quo by creating bold opportunities for people who demand more and deserve better.  

EOE, including disability/vets