Entry Level Food Scientist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Fredericksburg, United States | Posted on 07/21/2026

We are seeking an experienced Production Superintendent to lead first-shift operations within a high-volume poultry processing facility.

This is a senior production leadership position responsible for approximately 90 employees, including two salaried Production Supervisors. The right candidate must have supervisory experience in poultry processing. Candidates from raw meat or protein processing environments may also be considered when their experience closely matches the operation.

This is not an entry-level manufacturing management position. You must understand how to lead supervisors, manage production performance, maintain food-safety standards, control labor, and keep a fast-moving processing operation on schedule.

• Direct and support first-shift Production Supervisors
  
• Oversee approximately 90 production employees
  
• Ensure production orders, customer specifications, and quality standards are met
  
• Monitor yields, efficiencies, downtime, labor utilization, and overall department performance
  
• Manage staffing levels, line coverage, attendance, scheduling, and employee performance
  
• Ensure compliance with HACCP plans, GMPs, sanitation standards, and company procedures
  
• Maintain compliance with USDA, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements
  
• Work closely with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Human Resources, and plant leadership
  
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement
  
• Lead employee training, coaching, corrective action, and development
  
• Respond quickly to production, equipment, staffing, and quality issues
  
• Maintain accurate production reports and communicate results to plant management
  

• Previous supervisory or management experience in poultry processing
  
• Strong knowledge of raw poultry production and processing operations
  
• Experience managing Production Supervisors and large hourly workforces
  
• Understanding of HACCP, GMPs, food safety, sanitation, and USDA requirements
  
• Experience managing yields, labor utilization, production efficiency, and downtime
  
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
  
• Ability to work in a cold, wet, humid, and fast-paced processing environment
  
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and production reporting systems
  

• Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in Poultry Science, Animal Science, Food Science, Agriculture, Engineering, Business, or a related field
  
• Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or total quality management
  
• Previous leadership experience in raw meat or protein processing
  

The expected salary range is $70,000–$80,000 per year, depending on experience, medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with matching, and PTO

Candidates who closely match the poultry-processing and leadership requirements but are slightly above the posted range are still encouraged to apply. Significantly higher salary expectations may not be considered.

This position requires regular time on the production floor and may involve:

• Cold, wet, and humid conditions
  
• Exposure to poultry, feathers, animal by-products, and processing odors
  
• Extended periods of standing and walking
  
• Production demands that may occasionally require additional hours or weekend availability
  

The underlying position is responsible for directing first-shift supervisors, maintaining production performance, overseeing HACCP and GMP compliance, coordinating with USDA representatives, and managing staffing and employee performance.