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.