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# General Manager (Packing House)


Are you an exceptional leader with a proven track record in high-volume food processing and packing operations? JRG Partners, a premier executive search firm, is partnering with a leading innovator in the agricultural and food production sector to find a dynamic and results-driven General Manager for their state-of-the-art Packing House.
This is a pivotal role for an individual passionate about operational excellence, quality assurance, team development, and driving sustainable growth within a complex and fast-paced environment. If you are ready to take the helm of a critical production facility and make a significant impact on efficiency, profitability, and product quality, we invite you to explore this unparalleled opportunity.
Role Overview for General Manager (Packing House)
As the General Manager of the Packing House, you will be the strategic and operational leader responsible for the entire facility’s performance. This encompasses overseeing all aspects from raw material intake and processing to packaging, storage, and dispatch. Your mission will be to optimize production workflows, uphold the highest rigorous food safety standards, ensure product quality, and manage a large, diverse workforce.
You will be accountable for the packing house’s P&L, driving efficiency improvements, implementing lean manufacturing principles, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety. This role demands a visionary leader capable of balancing day-to-day operational demands with long-term strategic planning, ensuring the facility meets its production targets while consistently exceeding customer expectations and regulatory requirements.
You will report directly to senior leadership, playing a crucial role in shaping the company’s operational strategy and contributing to its overall success and market leadership. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of food processing technologies, supply chain dynamics, and human capital management within an agricultural or perishable goods context. This position is not merely about managing; it’s about leading, innovating, and inspiring a team to achieve peak performance in a challenging yet rewarding industry.
Key Responsibilities of General Manager (Packing House)

Strategic Planning & Operational Excellence: Develop and implement comprehensive operational strategies to maximize packing house efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Oversee daily production schedules, ensuring optimal resource allocation, adherence to timelines, and meeting volume targets. Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to drive waste reduction, process optimization, and cost savings across all operations.
Quality Assurance & Food Safety Leadership: Champion a culture of uncompromising quality and food safety. Ensure strict compliance with all local, state, federal, and international food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP, SQF, BRC, USDA, FDA). Oversee quality control programs, audits, and corrective actions to guarantee product integrity and consumer safety from farm to market.
Financial Management & P&L Responsibility: Develop, manage, and adhere to the annual operating budget for the packing house. Monitor key financial metrics, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions to achieve financial objectives. Identify opportunities for cost reduction, revenue enhancement, and capital expenditure planning to support long-term growth.
Team Leadership & Talent Development: Recruit, train, mentor, and manage a high-performing team, including production managers, supervisors, and front-line staff. Foster a positive, inclusive, and safe work environment that encourages professional growth, accountability, and teamwork. Conduct performance reviews, set clear objectives, and address employee relations issues promptly and effectively.
Supply Chain & Inventory Management: Collaborate closely with agricultural teams for raw material intake planning and quality assessment. Oversee inventory management systems for finished goods, packaging materials, and supplies, minimizing spoilage and optimizing storage. Coordinate with logistics and sales teams to ensure timely and efficient product distribution.
Maintenance & Asset Management: Ensure the optimal functioning and preventative maintenance of all packing house machinery, equipment, and infrastructure. Work with the maintenance team to minimize downtime, extend asset life, and implement capital improvement projects to enhance operational capabilities.
Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Stewardship: Ensure full compliance with all environmental regulations, labor laws, and industry standards. Promote sustainable practices within the packing house operations, including waste management and energy efficiency initiatives.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors, regulatory bodies, and key customers. Cultivate strong relationships with internal departments such as Sales, Marketing, R&D, and HR to ensure alignment and support for packing house objectives.

Requirements for the General Manager (Packing House)
To excel in this demanding yet rewarding role, candidates must possess a unique blend of leadership acumen, technical expertise, and a deep commitment to excellence.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree (MBA or similar) is highly preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in a high-volume food processing, fresh produce packing, or perishable goods manufacturing environment. A minimum of 5-7 years in a General Manager, Plant Manager, or equivalent senior operational leadership role with P&L responsibility is essential.
Industry Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of packing house operations, including sorting, grading, washing, packaging technologies, cold chain management, and logistics specific to fresh produce or similar perishable food items.
Technical Expertise: Proven experience with implementing and managing robust food safety programs (HACCP, GMP, SQF, BRC). Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies. Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and production management software.
Leadership & Management Skills: Exceptional leadership, team-building, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to motivate, develop, and manage a diverse workforce. Strong change management capabilities and experience leading organizational transformation.
Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of financial principles, budgeting, cost accounting, and P&L management. Ability to analyze financial data and make data-driven decisions.
Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly assess situations, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions under pressure.
Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, capable of effectively interacting with all levels of the organization, external stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
Work Environment: Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced packing house environment, which may include varying temperatures and noise levels. Flexibility to work extended hours as needed, especially during peak seasons.

Benefits & Perks Offered
JRG Partners’ client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier talent by offering a comprehensive and highly competitive compensation and benefits package. This includes:

Competitive Salary & Bonus Structure: An attractive base salary commensurate with experience and a performance-based annual bonus program tied to individual and company objectives.
Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and their families, often including wellness programs and health savings accounts (HSA).
Retirement Planning: Generous 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions to help secure your financial future.
Paid Time Off: Ample vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays to support work-life balance.
Relocation Assistance: For candidates requiring relocation, a comprehensive relocation package will be provided to ensure a smooth transition.
Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing professional growth, leadership training, and continuous learning to enhance your skills and career trajectory.
Life & Disability Insurance: Company-paid life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
Employee Assistance Program: Confidential support services for a variety of personal and work-related challenges.
Dynamic Work Environment: Be part of an innovative and growing company that values its employees and fosters a collaborative, high-performance culture.

How to Apply
If you are a visionary leader ready to make a significant impact as a General Manager (Packing House) and believe your expertise aligns with the requirements of this challenging role, JRG Partners invites you to apply. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization at the forefront of the food production industry.
To express your interest and submit your qualifications, please visit our dedicated practice area for executive search in the food and beverage sector. We encourage you to provide a detailed resume outlining your relevant experience, achievements, and leadership philosophy.
Apply directly through JRG Partners: JRG Partners Food & Beverage Recruitment
Our team will review all applications confidentially and contact qualified candidates for further discussion. We thank all applicants for their interest in this critical leadership position.