Operations Management Trainee (Pathways) Program

Job Description

Operations Management Trainee | Perdue Farms

The Tone:
This is a full-time leadership development trainee program at Perdue Farms. Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business dedicated to becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins, creating products globally, and changing how animals are raised. This role is crucial for developing future operations leaders who will drive operational excellence and impact business performance, supported by a culture valuing teamwork, integrity, and respect.

The TL;DR
• Role: Trainee Program
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Not specified

• Mission: Prepare the next generation of operations leaders to drive operational excellence and strong business results.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft applications, computerized maintenance management systems, AutoCAD

What You’ll Actually Do
• Gain Operational Understanding: Participate in structured rotations across key operational areas to build an end-to-end understanding of plant operations, processes, and their connection to business results.
• Ensure Compliance and Quality: Learn and apply Perdue’s expectations for associate safety, food safety, quality, sanitation, regulatory compliance, and operational standards through hands-on learning.
• Manage Daily Production: Support daily operational activities and transition to supervising frontline associates, coordinating work, communicating priorities, and promoting a safe, respectful, and engaged environment.
• Monitor Performance and Problem Solve: Monitor production performance, quality, safety, attendance, staffing, and workflow, identifying issues and collaborating with leaders and cross-functional partners to resolve problems.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for improvement using operational data and observations, contributing to assigned projects that enhance safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, or associate engagement.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level, requiring a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university completed within 24 months of the Pathways Program start date, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Preferred degrees include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or other related engineering or science-based fields.
• Experience: Willingness to work a rotation of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts and engage in hands-on learning and observation across operational areas.
• Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to work well within a team setting, ability to work independently, and capability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Bonus: Working knowledge of Microsoft applications; exposure to computerized maintenance management systems; AutoCAD, project management, reliability, maintenance, process control, or related technical experience.