1st Shift Packaging Manager (1977) at Carl Buddig & Company – South Holland, Illinois

About Us:

Carl Buddig and Company, a respected name in the meat manufacturing industry, boasts a legacy of over 80 years. Founded as a family-owned company, we have evolved into a leading producer of premium meat products, including renowned lunchmeats, ready-to-eat cooked meats under our Kingsford, LLC division, and savory snack meats from Old Wisconsin.

As a third-generation family business, our success is anchored in our commitment to quality, innovation, and community. With a workforce of 2,500 dedicated team members spread across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, we continue to expand, driven by a vision for excellence and a responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences.

At Carl Buddig and Company, we foster a culture centered around teamwork and innovation. We strive to create an environment that values creativity and collaboration, ensuring every team member is empowered to contribute to our collective goals.

Our dedication extends beyond our business operations. We actively support charitable initiatives and community organizations through direct contributions, volunteer work, and partnerships. We aim to make a positive impact and give back to the communities that have supported us over the years.

Join us at Carl Buddig and Company, where tradition meets innovation, and where our passion for quality meat products is matched by our commitment to our people and communities.

Position Summary:

The Packaging Department Manager will effectively perform all the required duties in an accurate, thorough, and safe manner as outlined per the Carl Buddig and Company job description. Employees are responsible for producing a safe and quality food product per USDA guidelines and are required to report all food safety related problems to their supervisor, manager, or to the quality assurance department in order to initiate immediate action.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the operation consisting of 1st shift salaried supervisors and hourly union employees in the production of 100 million pounds per year.
• Serve as a part of the plant’s management team.
• Ensure compliance to personal safety and plant quality requirements.
• Ensure customer service goals are met and exceeded.
• Manage and improve labor cost, yields, and supply usage levels.
• Ensure compliance to USDA requirements for production of fully cooked meat products.
• Develop salaried supervisors and hourly employees to maximize performance.
• Ensure that employees are abiding by all Carl Buddig and Company policies via the Employee Handbook and Safety Manual.
• Ensure that packaging department employees are performing job duties as outlined via the Line Packer, Team Leader, Material Handler, and production supervisor Job Descriptions.
• Manage or assist in capital projects throughout the project life cycle.
• Evaluate labor requirements and production rates for potential new business opportunities.
• Must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

Education & Experience:

• Must be 18 years of age.
• Must be able to legally work in the United States.
• 4-year degree preferred, preferably in engineering, operations management or business management, master’s degree a plus.
• Minimum 3-5 years management experience.
• Knowledgeable about OSHA and USDA regulations, lean manufacturing, process optimization, cost management.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work in temperatures of 40 degrees or less.
• Must be able to stand for 8-9 hours per day.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, and squat as needed for housekeeping responsibilities and other miscellaneous duties.
• Must be able to work in a high-speed packaging environment.
• Must be able to work a minimum 40 or more hours per week.
• Must be able to work mandatory overtime, if necessary, including weekends.

Pay range for this position is $95,000 to $105,000 depending on experience.

Benefits for this role include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, FSA, HSA, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, Vacation & PTO, and Tuition Reimbursement. There is also a potential for a discretionary bonus this bonus is based on personal & company performance and is not a guaranteed bonus plan.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Employment Decisions Statement

Carl Buddig and Company does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, promotion, performance evaluations, discipline, or termination. All employment decisions are made by trained HR professionals and company leaders to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act.