Animal Welfare Specialist

Tyson Foods, Inc.; Newbern (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

Tyson Foods, Inc. in Tennessee seeks an experienced animal welfare auditor to ensure humane handling and compliance across live production facilities for beef and pork.

The role includes training, data analysis, and audits from ownership to processing, with weekly management reporting. Applicants should have PAACO certification and at least 2 years of live animal production or processing experience, plus strong collaboration with FSQA and operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in live animal production or processing.
• Experience in meat (beef/pork) plant operations a plus.
• Experience with third-party animal welfare auditing preferred.
• Computer Skills: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Safety Chain system and NR Database experience preferred.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct animal welfare and handling audits at live production facilities.
• Ensure compliance with company and governmental standards.
• Perform unannounced audits and record reviews in Safety Chain system.
• Create and distribute management reports weekly.
• Assist in developing training materials and deliver training on animal welfare.

Skills

PAACO certification

Attention to detail

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Safety Chain system

NR Database

Job description

Job Summary

The primary responsibility of this position is to ensure that the animals entrusted to us are handled in a safe, humane manner and to convey that we do this because it is the right thing to do. This will be accomplished by effective training, communication, observation and animal handling/welfare audits at live production facilities for beef or pork species within Tyson Foods. Continually strives to ensure Tyson exceeds compliance with company and governmental standards in our live operations and processing facilities.

This position will cover both Newbern (primary facility in Newbern, TN) and Williams (Hickman road facility in Union City, TN); therefore, the team member will be required to have a valid driver license to travel from Newbern to Williams weekly.

Responsibilities

Conducts animal welfare and handling, regulatory, biosecurity, process evaluation and certification audits for live production facilities including transportation and handling audits. Scope of audits initiate from the time that Tyson takes ownership of the animal through processing. Ensures compliance with all company and governmental standards. Conduct unannounced audits, during days/times outside a normal day shift at various live production facilities or where animals are present. Ensure program implementation and perform record reviews of audits in Safety Chain system. Analyzes internal animal welfare audit data for trends. Identifies risks and opportunities, and collaborates with business leaders (i.e, Complex Managers, Plant Management, FSQA Management and OAWB) to implement agreed upon improvements. Tracks and trends FSIS regulatory activity (MOI, NR, etc.) and distributes reports to management. Ensures implementation of associated audit recommendations. Creates and distributes reports to management on a weekly basis. Assists in the development of animal welfare and handling training materials. Delivers animal welfare and handling training for all Tyson TEAM Members and Contract personnel that have contact with live production facilities or areas of the plant. Maintains training database across and ensures training is not only completed, but also well understood. Provides technical support and assistance with Tyson's CARE and Farm Check programs. Manages and assists in executing external supplier/customer audit requests.

Must be able to work with businesses and departments throughout the company and have strong collaborative partnerships with all groups. Works with confidential information, including company processes and training programs. Completes and manages special projects required to meet business needs.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Experience. Experience: A minimum of 2 years of previous relevant experience in live animal production and/or processing. Previous experience in meat (beef/pork) plant operations a plus. Previous experience working for a third-party animal welfare auditing company preferred. Computer Skills: Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) required. Safety Chain system and NR Database experience preferred. Experience with data analysis and reporting required.

Special Skills

Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization certification (PAACO) or eligibility and commitment to obtain certification. Thorough knowledge of live production, biosecurity, food safety, and animal welfare and handling standards. Exceptional attention to detail, follow up, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Will work around animals, live production, processing plant and office environments. Some overnight travel and occasional night work are required.

Physical & Travel Requirements

Ability to travel up to 4-6 times per year. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Ability to withstand a wide variety of temperature and climate changes. Must reside within the United States. Sponsorship is not available. This role requires frequent standing and walking throughout animal care areas. Team members must be able to spend extended periods on their feet, move safely across various indoor and outdoor environments, and occasionally bend, lift, or reach as needed. **Preference given to internal qualified candidates currently employed at this facility followed by candidates from other Tyson facilities then external candidate**.

AI Tools Usage

All professional team members are expected to demonstrate responsible use of approved AI tools, including safeguarding sensitive information, adhering to company policies, and validating AI-generated outputs. Individual Contributors should demonstrate the ability to integrate AI into daily work, improve efficiency through AI-enabled solutions, evaluate outputs critically, and apply professional judgment when using AI. People Leaders should demonstrate the ability to drive responsible AI adoption, enable effective use of approved solutions, identify opportunities to improve team performance through AI, and ensure accountability for the quality and accuracy of AI-supported outcomes.

Location & Benefits

Relocation Assistance Eligible:Yes. Work Shift:1ST SHIFT (United States of America).

If you are offered a position that requires a background check you will be provided additional documentation to complete once an offer has been extended.

Equal Opportunity

Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.

We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more.

Unsolicited Assistance

Tyson Foods and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for open positions within the United States. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee or applicant tracking system at Tyson Foods or its subsidiaries, without a valid written request and search agreement approved by HR, will be considered the property of Tyson Foods. No fees will be paid if the candidate is hired due to an unsolicited referral.