Operations Management Trainee

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It 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 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

We are looking for future leaders to join us! We are actively seeking hardworking, energetic, self-starters to join our Agribusiness Operations team in Chesapeake, VA as a Pathways Participant with a program start of June 2026.

The Perdue Pathways Program is designed to develop talented individuals into future leaders in the company's operations management field.

Our 24-month program combines hands-on training by direct observation and shadowing, learning and development sessions, continuous improvement projects, and a series of structured departmental rotations. You will be fully immersed and actively engage in all aspects of business in an operational facility. Upon successful completion of the program, the Pathways Participant will have the opportunity to transition into a supervisor role.

During your first 12 months, you will rotate through and engage with key areas of the Perdue Farms organization, gaining broad exposure and hands-on experience. Upon successful completion of the rotation, the anticipated next step would be a supervisor role. The second year of the program focuses on your continued growth, featuring dedicated mentorship, a personalized development plan, leadership training, and participation in talent reviews. This comprehensive program is designed to prepare you not only for your immediate role but to support long-term career success at Perdue Farms.

In this position, you will be offered the opportunity to learn and develop skills vital for a career in operations; including, production, continuous improvement, quality assurance, safety, shipping, and distribution.

Benefits –

• Participation in up to, two (2) Regional Trainings with fellow Pathways participants. Events include career development, social activities, philanthropic events, company tours and senior leadership interaction.

• Competitive starting salary, with pay increases following 6 and 12 months of tenure. Comprehensive benefit package also includes: transition bonus and relocation.

• Anticipated placement into a supervisor level after successful completion of your first 12 months in the Pathways program.

• 2nd year benefits include: Refining leadership skills, enhanced learning opportunities, personalized career mapping, and dedicated mentorship.

Principal and Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Acquires knowledge to include administrative functions, manpower reports, disciplinary procedures, budget, production processes and requirements while contributing ideas and recommendations for continuous improvement.

• Develops an understanding of the team process using the criteria: establishing common mission/goals of all team members; providing clear role definition of team members; encouraging shared accountabilities; implementing effective team procedures and processes, giving and receiving feedback, problem solving, decision making, employing coaching and effective communications; ensuring team “spirit”; and providing recognition for team accomplishments.

• Implements the policies of the Quality Improvement Process with the team/department.

• Monitors the performance of the team to ensure goals are attained and graphs results for display and presentation at briefings and/or meetings.

• Develops self-awareness and consistently applies best practices in communications, emotional intelligence, integrity, and exhibits other Perdue values.

• Rotates through various functions in Agribusiness, Grain handling, Feed mills, Wastewater, oilseed extraction, oilseed refining, Human resources, Accounting, FP&A, Maintenance, and Safety.

• Completes projects related to cost-reduction or improved performance.

• Attends learning events/activities including on-ground classes, web-based instruction, and e-learning platforms.

Minimum Education

• Completed Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university within 24 months of the Pathways program starting.

• Program starts in June 2026 will accept applications from the following graduation years: May 2026, December 2025, May 2025, December 2024, and May 2024

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Production Management, Business or Business Administration, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Agriculture.

• GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Qualifications

• Must be willing to work a rotation of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work well within a team setting, as well as independently.

Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements

• Ability to work for 8 hours or more in a stationary position or travel on a wet, moist, dry, greasy floors which may include metal or plastic grating surfaces with up to 4 hours in a single interval.

• Ability to work from various types of ladders and/or stairs.

• Exposure to and work in temperatures of less than -40 degrees and 75 degrees with ambient humidity.

• Noise exposure of 110 db, and light intensity range of 50 to 100 foot candles.

• Bending, twisting, lifting up to 50 lbs, reaching, sitting, and grasping varies in repetitions, distance, degrees, angle, weight, heights, longest interval of time, objects grasped, and body positions depending upon 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 found in a poultry processing plant.

• Must use and / or wear protective and safety equipment 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.