Operations Intern

Job Description

About Company

Perdue Foods, a part of Perdue Farms, aims to be the most trusted name in premium proteins. It achieves this by creating products for consumers, retail, and foodservice customers globally, while also working to change how animals are raised for food. Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business that balances deep tradition with a forward-thinking mindset.

The company culture is built on the belief that success starts with its people. Its foundation rests on teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and all associates are encouraged to contribute to shared goals. Perdue is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where employees feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in their communities. They are dedicated to helping team members thrive by promoting growth and development and prioritizing work-life balance.

Job Description: Operations Intern

Summary
Perdue Foods is seeking a hardworking, energetic, self-starter to join its Operations team as an Operations Intern in Lewiston, NC. This Summer Internship program is specifically designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and meaningful, real-world experiences. The intern will gain familiarity with the workflow of plant operations and receive learning and shadowing opportunities across various plant teams and departments. The program will be tailored to the intern’s interests and experience level to maximize the learning experience, ensuring full immersion and active participation in all aspects of business within an operational facility.

Benefits
• 10-12 Week Summer Program
• Hands-on learning and exposure to various levels of leadership within Perdue
• Competitive Wages
• Summer Housing Stipend

Principal And Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The Operations Intern will:
• Assist the Team Leader and Shift Leader in daily tasks, including training, providing work direction, and developing subordinates to meet operating, safety, and quality requirements within the department/area.
• Support production staff to ensure product quality and integrity, making sure all finished products meet or exceed customer requirements.
• Contribute to maintaining an environment conducive to retaining associates and consistently administer company policies and procedures.
• Rotate through various functions in fresh or cook plants during the course of training. This may include departments such as: Live Haul, Wastewater, Accounting, Human Resources, Receiving, Dressing, Evisceration, Giblet Packing, Grading, Cut Up, Stretch Bag, Deboning, 28 Degree Cooler, Box Room, Weight/Price/Label, and Shipping.

Minimum Education
• Required: Must be enrolled in an accredited four-year institution pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
• Preferred: A degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Production Management, Business or Business Administration, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Agriculture, Occupational Safety and Environmental Health. A 3.0 GPA or higher is also preferred.

Qualifications
• Required:
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.
• Preferred:
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well within a team setting, as well as independently.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to motivate in a team atmosphere.

Environmental Factors And Physical Requirements
The role may involve:
• Working for 8 hours or more in a stationary position or traveling on wet, moist, dry, greasy floors (which may include metal or plastic grating surfaces) for up to 4 hours in a single interval.
• Working from various types of ladders and/or stairs.
• Exposure to and work in temperatures ranging from less than -40 degrees to 75 degrees with ambient humidity.
• Noise exposure of 110 db, and light intensity ranging from 50 to 100 foot candles.
• Physical demands such as bending, twisting, lifting up to 50 lbs, reaching, sitting, and grasping with varied repetitions, distances, degrees, angles, weights, heights, intervals, objects, and body positions depending on the maintenance task required.
• Exposure to chlorinated water (50 ppm), ammonia vapors (5 ppm), dry ice, caustic detergents, lubricating oils, hydraulic oils, and other chemicals commonly found in a poultry processing plant.
• The necessity to use and/or wear protective and safety equipment as required for the job.

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.