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Food Manufacturing Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

$85 - $105/hr

Supports food safety policies, standard operating procedures, and prerequisite food safety control programs that meet legal and quality requirements and industry best practices as defined in our Food ...

$93 - $154/hr

At CJ Schwan's , we don't just make food -- we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring ... We are hiring a Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead efficient staffing, production, quality ...

$70 - $90/hr

To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our ... Post Consumer Brands is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to help strengthen performance ...

Plant ManagerWe are working with a food manufacturing company that is looking for a Plant Manager in the Lexington area. This role offers the chance to develop a team, build scalable processes, and ...

FSQA Technician

Hopkinsville, KY · On-site

$18.75 - $24/hr

About Kitchen Food Company Kitchen Food Company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality food products, serving customers across the country. We pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence ...

$75 - $125/hr

Our brand-new, 360,000-square-foot Asian-style food manufacturing facility in Sioux Falls, SD, is taking shape -- and we're ramping up hiring for key roles. This is your chance to be part of ...

New

$170 - $208/hr

The ideal candidate will bring strong food manufacturing leadership experience, a passion for developing teams, and experience operating within frozen food production environments. What You'll Do:

$107 - $178/hr

At CJ Schwan's, we don't just make food -- we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring ... As a Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer you will provide technical leadership to improve ...

Facilities Manager - Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Leader We are conducting a search for an experienced Facilities Manager to join a well-established food manufacturing operation in Northern ...

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Showing results 1-20

Food Manufacturing information

See Kentucky salary details

$38.2K

$87K

$118.6K

How much do food manufacturing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for food manufacturing in Kentucky is $86,990.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,800.00 and $106,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is food manufacturing?

Food manufacturing is the process of transforming raw ingredients into finished food products through various methods such as processing, packaging, and distribution. This industry includes everything from large-scale production of packaged goods to specialized food items. Food manufacturing ensures that products meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards before reaching consumers. It involves numerous roles, including machine operators, quality assurance specialists, and food scientists, all working together to produce safe and consistent food products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in food manufacturing, and why are they important?

To excel in Food Manufacturing, strong knowledge of food safety standards, quality control, and production processes is essential, often supported by relevant certifications such as HACCP or SQF. Familiarity with manufacturing equipment, automated production systems, and inventory management software is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective problem-solving are crucial soft skills for maintaining efficiency and product quality. These competencies ensure safe, consistent, and high-standard food production in a regulated, fast-paced environment.

What is the difference between food manufacturing and food processing?

There is one significant difference between food processing and food manufacturing, and that is what each industry does with a given food product. Food processing is taking a raw product and turning it into an ingredient, like turning vanilla beans into vanilla extract, whereas food manufacturers purchase ingredients and use them within a product, like taking the vanilla extract and using it to make cookies. Both industries work primarily in plant or factory settings, and sometimes food processing and manufacturing is done on the same site, but the duties of manufacturers versus processors differ in their day-to-day operations.

What are common challenges faced by professionals in food manufacturing, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in food manufacturing often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict quality control, adhering to food safety regulations, and meeting high production demands. These challenges can be addressed by staying current with industry standards, participating in ongoing training, and working closely with quality assurance and maintenance teams. Effective communication and collaboration across departments are essential for quickly resolving issues and ensuring smooth production processes.

What is the difference between Food Manufacturing vs Food Processing Worker?

AspectFood ManufacturingFood Processing Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications varyHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be required
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, industrial settingsFactories, production lines, industrial settings
Industry UsageUsed broadly across food production companiesSpecific to processing tasks within food manufacturing
Job FocusOverseeing entire production processes or specific stagesPerforming specific processing tasks like cutting, packaging

Food Manufacturing and Food Processing Worker roles are closely related, often working in the same environments. Food Manufacturing covers a broader scope, including overseeing entire production lines, while Food Processing Workers focus on specific tasks like packaging or preparing food products. Both roles require similar credentials and are essential in the food industry.

Is food manufacturing a good career?

Food manufacturing is a stable career that offers opportunities in production, quality control, and management. It often requires attention to safety standards, technical skills, and sometimes certifications, with work environments that can be fast-paced and physically demanding.

What are popular job titles related to Food Manufacturing jobs in Kentucky?

For Food Manufacturing jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Manufacturing jobs in Kentucky look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Manufacturing jobs in Kentucky are:

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Food Manufacturing jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most Food Manufacturing job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Manufacturing job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $86,990 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Operations Manager (Food Manufacturing)

Louisville, KY • On-site


Conagra Brands
Food Services and Drinking Places • 10K+ employees

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 134 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

198th of 443 rated food and drinks producers

Good employer

Paid breaks

Respectful managers


$109K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

As the Plant Operations Manager, reporting to the Plant Manager in Louisville, Kentucky, you will be accountable for the daily operations of plant production. Functional responsibilities include production and planning of production. You will implement standard work and maintain improvement through sustaining behaviors, operating with discipline, and implementing autonomous maintenance. You will coordinate production departments and oversee several shift leaders in supporting a safe and efficient operation to produce wholesome quality products. You will work with Human Resources, Continuous Improvement, and Quality to ensure all production goals are met.

How Will You Impact Our Business?

  • Implement plant-specific vision to assure continuous improvement and understanding of the corporate vision.

  • Direct all production supervisors on their roles and responsibilities throughout the day.

  • Promote employee engagement and development to maximize manufacturing, quality and productivity goals.

  • Communicate results and action plans to all employees and managers.

  • Temporarily fill role of Plant Manager when needed.

  • Collaborate directly with production planning and materials management to improve scheduled completion and customer service.

  • Communicate directly with Human Resources to ensure employee issues or concerns are correctly addressed and resolved.

  • Collaborate with finance to create a capital budget to ensure that financial allocations and obligations are set, administered, and met.

  • Initiate cost savings measures relating to crewing, standards, and yields.

  • Ensure that all plant operations are conducted in a safe and controlled environment.

  • Ensure all quality and regulatory standards, specifications, and policies are met.

  • Report any food safety issues to management.

Do You Have What it Takes?

  • Bachelor's degree in business, Industrial Management, Engineering, Food Science, Management, Product Operations, or equivalent field of study

  • 5 - 7 years Manufacturing experience

  • 3 - 5 years Management / Supervisory experience

  • Food industry experience in a union environment

  • Basic mathematical and statistical skills

  • Basic financial skills and understanding

#LI-Onsite

#LI-JC1

#LI-MSL

Compensation

Pay Range:$109,000-$159,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee's actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees' equity.Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

  • Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement

  • Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan

  • Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement

  • Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions - within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi-Wip.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.


Conagra Brands logo

About Conagra Brands

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Conagra Brands (NYSE: CAG) is an approximately $11 billion company that combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus and entrepreneurial spirit. We're transforming the way we operate to fulfill what consumers and customers want, in a smart, simple way. We're modernizing our iconic food brands, leveraging fresh opportunities and adapting to a changing landscape - all with a culture that's ready to capture growth and drive shareholder value.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1919

Social media


What Conagra Brands employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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