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Meat Packing Plant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Perdue's Emerging Brands & Specialty Meats division leverages our core strengths in poultry while ... In this role, you will oversee end to end plant operations from animal handling through packaging ...

Perdue's Emerging Brands & Specialty Meats division leverages our core strengths in poultry while ... In this role, you will oversee end to end plant operations from animal handling through packaging ...

Perdue's Emerging Brands & Specialty Meats division leverages our core strengths in poultry while ... In this role, you will oversee end to end plant operations from animal handling through packaging ...

Apply maintenance skills and knowledge to install, maintain, and repair plant systems and equipment ... At least 2 years of experience in manufacturing, packing and processing machine equipment repairs ...

Meat Packing Plant information

See Iowa salary details

$10

$17

$26

How much do meat packing plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat packing plant in Iowa is $17.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $19.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a meat packing plant?

A meat packing plant job involves processing, packaging, and preparing meat products for distribution. Workers may perform tasks like cutting, trimming, grinding, and packaging meat while following strict safety and sanitation guidelines. The job typically requires physical stamina, attention to detail, and adherence to food industry regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the meat packing plant position?

To thrive in a Meat Packing Plant, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and basic food safety knowledge, often verified through on-the-job training or a high school diploma. Familiarity with industry-standard cutting equipment, safety protocols, and sometimes HACCP certification is important. Reliability, teamwork, and good communication skills set candidates apart in this high-paced environment. These qualities are crucial to ensure efficiency, safety, and the consistent quality of meat products.

What is the typical work environment like in a meat packing plant?

Meat packing plants are fast-paced, physically demanding environments where employees work on production lines processing, packaging, and inspecting meat products. The facility is kept at cool temperatures to ensure product safety, and protective gear is provided to maintain hygiene and safety standards. Teamwork is essential as workers must coordinate closely to meet production targets and adhere to strict safety protocols. While the pace can be challenging, many plants offer structured shifts, advancement opportunities, and on-the-job training for skill development.

What are the most commonly searched types of Meat Packing Plant jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Meat Packing Plant jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Meat Packing Plant jobs in Iowa?

For Meat Packing Plant jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Meat Packing Plant jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Meat Packing Plant jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Meat Packing Plant job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,124 per year, or $17.4 per hour.

Production Manager

Perdue Farms

Sioux City, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Perdue Farms rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 99 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

310th of 443 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Perdue's Emerging Brands & Specialty Meats division leverages our core strengths in poultry while specializing in premium pork, beef, lamb, and pet nutrition segments while emphasizing health, sustainability, and convenience. Perdue's Emerging Brands & Specialty Meats is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we're committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.
Summary
Join our team as a Production Manager - Fresh Pork and take the lead in driving excellence across Coleman Pork fresh and seasoned fresh pork operations. In this role, you will oversee end to end plant operations from animal handling through packaging and shipping, ensuring every step meets Coleman and USDA standards. You'll partner closely with cross functional teams to deliver consistent quality, on time fulfillment, and exceptional customer satisfaction while driving performance in efficiency, yield, and growth across the fresh pork business.
Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Manage daily production from harvest and cut operations, fresh further processed operations, through the shipment of purchase orders. Oversee production scheduling and planning manager make sure schedules are accurate and timely. Communicate with plant production management teams concerning specs, efficiencies, yields, food safety, and other day-to-day issues related to Coleman's production.
  • Manage fresh co-packers' production and costs, to gain yield efficiency. Assist and guide production scheduling with co-packers to ensure timely delivery of raw materials needed.
  • Help manage inventory levels of fresh and seasoned fresh pork.
  • Manage weekly production.
  • Manage Holiday bookings and production.
  • Manage fresh production co-packer relationships and contractual obligations.
  • Help manage relationships with key customers of pork products.
  • Work with sales to develop and write specs for new products per customer needs.
  • Work with fresh pork team to coordinate supply and maximize utilization of fresh pork cuts.
  • Work with Coleman Natural pork sales to increase volume, revenue, and margin of fresh and prepared pork products.
  • Work with the plant operations and Quality Assurance teams to develop, maintain, and update Product Specifications.
  • Collecting yield data from the plants for new products during the developments stage. Along with ongoing collecting yield data for pricing, and plant performance.
  • Manage staff associates with defined and planned Personal Develop Goals with end of year evaluation.

Minimum Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Animal Science, or related field or equivalent work experience.
  • 3+ years of meat operations experience.
  • Proven track record demonstrating ability to lead people and get results.
  • Must be able to organize multiple protocols/projects and complete them on schedule.
  • Requires prior supervisory experience.
  • Knowledge of and ability to provide strong customer orientation.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Capable use of Microsoft Outlook.
  • Ability to handle and communicate with plant floor staff.
  • Freight, shipping, and logistics background.
  • Strong communications skills and positive customer service delivery skills necessary.
  • Willingness to travel as necessary.
  • Based in Sioux City, IA or Sioux Center, IA.

Preferred Education and Experience
  • Natural meats industrial sales background.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors
  • Position is mostly sedentary but may require occasional moving to other offices or buildings.
  • May need to move light equipment or supplies from one place to another.
  • May need to pack sample product boxes of up to 50 lbs
  • May need to access files, supplies and equipment.
  • Work activity is in an office, open-partitioned, cubicle environment.

When in a plant environment:
  • Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces.
  • May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity.
  • May handle products from 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db to 110 db.
  • May be exposed to all chemicals used in poultry, food, and processing facility.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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