2024 Coolest Things Made in the Ozarks Plant Manager of the Year: Carl Kicklighter

Last edited 10:11 a.m., Feb. 13, 2024 [Editor's note: The company's financials have been clarified. Vital Farms' fourth-quarter results will be finalized in March.]

Problem solving and employee retention are at the forefront for Plant Operations Director Carl Kicklighter at Vital Farms of Missouri LLC. He played a role in implementing technology that has transformed the egg processor’s manufacturing, and he eased employees’ concerns about job security through the process.

“Amidst our pursuit of technological advancement, I chose a distinct path,” says Kicklighter, “one that placed our people at the forefront.”

As he noticed concern from his employees about job security and changes to their daily routines amid the announcement of new advanced automation at the plant, Kicklighter says he engaged directly with his production staff.

“This collaborative approach not only validated the positive impact of our technological upgrades but also served as a source of assurance for our employees,” he says.

This approach aided him in demonstrating that the merging of their expertise with new technology would improve employees’ daily responsibilities by making tasks more manageable and rewarding. He says tasks that were once reliant on manual labor – such as material handling, product sorting and goods transportation – have undergone a “profound transformation.”

Kicklighter helped design a professional development road map for the company to act as a guide for individual growth that values the overall vision of Vital Farms and includes his regular check-ins that allow him to acknowledge and support the aspirations of his 275 team members in Springfield.

“In our team ethos, there’s no room for solitary heroes,” says Kicklighter. “Our strength lies in our collective synergy.”

Safety was at the forefront of his daily agenda to help create a safety committee that allows his crew to voice their observations from experience in their work environment. He said he implemented this through creating dedicated safety managers and specialists within the company that helped ensure the safety of new and current employees.

“This daily rendezvous enables us to dissect fresh findings, peruse observations and identify avenues for continual improvement collaboratively,” says Kicklighter. 

He achieved certifications through an auditing body called Safe Quality Food Certification. Vital Farms attained the highest achievement of being one of 20 facilities worldwide to receive a SQF Select certification, and the only egg processing facility to achieve the feat.

“Our success story isn’t solely attributable to technological innovations; it’s a testament to the relentless dedication and collaborative spirit of our team in harnessing the true potential of these advancements,” he says.

In 2019, the facility made $141 million in net revenue. With the changes and improvements Kicklighter made to the workplace environment and technological advancements, he said the company is anticipating 330% growth in 2023, reaching beyond $465 million in net revenue.

Kicklighter takes pride in sharing the accomplishments with his employees: “Leadership isn’t solely about driving professional success; it’s about guiding individuals on a path toward personal evolution.”