Live Management Trainee

Perdue Farms; Ahoskie (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Transition bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Perdue Farms in Ahoskie, NC, is launching a Live Management Trainee (Pathways) program beginning in June 2027. The 24-month leadership development journey is designed to prepare the next generation of Live Operations leaders through hands-on field learning, rotations, mentorship, and leadership development to drive flock performance and operational excellence.

During the first year, participants will learn the business, build producer relationships, understand the production cycle, and gain

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree completed within 24 months of Pathways Program start date.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Complete structured rotations across Live Operations to learn end-to-end live production system.
• Build foundational knowledge of poultry production cycle, contracts, and farm operations.
• Shadow experienced Flock Advisors and learn producer relationship management and clear communication.
• Learn to monitor chick placements, bird weights, flock movements, mortality, and production data.
• Develop knowledge of poultry health, disease identification, vaccination, and testing under guidance.
• Learn housing, equipment, ventilation, and environmental practices affecting performance.
• Collaborate with Hatchery, Feed Mill, Veterinary Services, Processing, Sales, Transportation, and other partners.
• Demonstrate safe, compliant practices during farms and facilities visits.

Skills

Customer service

Relationship-building

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Job description

Live Management Trainee

Ahoskie, North Carolina, United States

Apply Job ID 81511 Job Category College Recruitment (Interns/OMTS/LMTS)

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

Are you ready to launch your career as a future Live Production leader at Perdue? As part of our Live Management Trainee (Pathways) Program, beginning in June 2027 you'll embark on a 24-month leadership development journey designed to prepare the next generation of Live Operations leaders. Through hands-on field learning, structured rotations, meaningful experiences, mentorship, and leadership development, you'll gain real-world experience across Live Operations while building the technical, relationship-management, analytical, and leadership skills needed to make a lasting impact on flock performance and live supply. During your first year, you'll learn the business, build strong producer relationships, understand the flock production cycle, and develop increasing ownership of producer communication, route performance, flock data, production-program compliance, poultry welfare, biosecurity, food safety, and operational problem-solving before transitioning into a full-time Flock Advisor role at the 12-month mark. Your second year will accelerate your growth through on-the-job experience, personalized development, mentorship, cohort learning, career pathing, and targeted enrichment in areas such as continuous improvement, food and associate safety, leading and influencing others, and presenting to leadership. This program is ideal for relationship-oriented, analytical, and driven individuals who are eager to learn, take on meaningful challenges, and build a rewarding career helping support healthy birds, strong producer partnerships, reliable live supply, and operational excellence at Perdue.

• Participate in up to two (2) Regional Pathways Training events alongside fellow participants, including leadership development, networking, company tours, community service, social activities, and interaction with senior leaders.


• LMT I begins as an hourly, non-exempt position. At approximately six months, successful participants transition to LMT II as a salaried, exempt position, with an additional compensation progression at the 12-month placement point.


• Comprehensive benefits package, including transition bonus and relocation assistance for eligible participants.


• Opportunity to transition into a Flock Advisor role upon successful completion of the first 12 months of the Pathways Program and demonstrated readiness.


• Second-year development includes continued on-the-job learning, targeted enrichment, mentorship, and personalized career pathing.

Schedule: Department and shift assignments will vary throughout the rotational program and will be determined based on the participant’s assigned rotation and business needs. Specific schedules will be communicated prior to each rotation.

LMT I 0-6 months

• Complete structured rotations across Flock Advising and connected Live Operations functions, including hatchery, feed mill, veterinary services, processing, and other relevant areas, to understand the end-to-end live production system and how decisions across functions affect flock performance and supply.


• Build foundational knowledge of the poultry production cycle, contract producer relationships, company production programs, farm conditions, flock health and performance, poultry welfare, biosecurity, food safety, environmental best management practices, and applicable operating standards.


• Shadow experienced Flock Advisors during farm visits to learn how to build trust-based producer relationships, communicate expectations, document observations, follow up on concerns, and support producer and company performance.


• Learn to monitor chick placements, bird weights, flock movements, mortality, feed inventories, route capacity, and other production information; begin recognizing trends and understanding when issues require follow-up or escalation.


• Develop introductory knowledge of poultry health and disease identification, flock assessment, vaccination, treatment protocols, and testing under the guidance of qualified leaders and in accordance with company policies and procedures.


• Learn how housing conditions, equipment, ventilation, environmental controls, construction, and renovation decisions can influence bird health, welfare, performance, and operational requirements.


• Build relationships with Hatchery, Feed Mill, Veterinary Services, Processing, Transportation, Sales, and other partners while learning how clear, timely communication supports producer needs and customer requirements.


• Demonstrate safe and responsible practices during farm and facility visits, including compliance with company biosecurity, poultry welfare, food safety, environmental, vehicle, and associate-safety requirements.


• Participate in Pathways learning, mentoring, business tours, leadership development, and cohort activities while demonstrating increasing knowledge, initiative, professionalism, and readiness for greater responsibility.

LMT II 6-12 months

• Continue structured Live Operations learning while taking increased ownership for an assigned group of producers, route activities, and flock‑performance responsibilities under the guidance of experienced leaders in preparation for transition into a Flock Advisor role.


• Build productive, trust‑based relationships with contract producers by providing increasingly independent communication, timely follow‑up, practical support, and clear expectations related to production programs and flock performance.


• Support implementation of company production programs and document producer compliance during farm visits; develop the confidence and judgment to coach, influence, and hold partners accountable to shared operational expectations.


• Monitor chick placements, bird weights, flock movements, mortality, feed inventories, route square footage, and production performance; analyze trends, identify concerns, elevate issues appropriately, and translate information into practical actions.


• Develop increasing capability in flock health assessment, field vaccination, treatment and testing activities under appropriate guidance and within company requirements, while communicating findings and concerns to management and appropriate technical partners.


• Help maintain route capacity and flock flow needed to support production and customer requirements while understanding how placement, movement, feed, bird performance, and producer availability affect the broader live supply chain.


• Reinforce compliance with biosecurity, poultry welfare, food safety, environmental best management practices, and other company programs during producer interactions and farm visits.


• Coordinate with Hatchery, Feed Mill, Veterinary Services, Processing, Sales, Transportation, and other departments impacted by assigned producers, maintaining open lines of communication and helping resolve issues that affect service or performance.


• Gain increasing exposure to poultry‑house construction and renovation activities by working with producers, vendors, contractors, and internal partners; learn to evaluate how facility design and environmental conditions support flock and operational requirements.


• Safely operate and care for a company vehicle in accordance with Perdue policies and applicable state and federal requirements while developing the field independence expected of a Flock Advisor.


• Lead or take meaningful ownership of a continuous improvement initiative focused on flock performance, producer communication, poultry welfare, biosecurity, feed utilization, route efficiency, housing conditions, cost, service, or another meaningful Live Operations opportunity; present findings and recommendations to leadership.


• Demonstrate readiness for the Flock Advisor role by independently organizing assigned work, communicating effectively with producers and internal partners, applying sound judgment, responding appropriately to flock and operational concerns, and showing accountability for route and business results.

LMT II 12-24 months

• Transition into the full-time Flock Advisor assignment upon successful completion of the first 12 months and demonstrated readiness.


• Continue developing through on-the-job experience, formal learning, mentorship, and personalized career pathing while building greater independence in producer relationship management and route performance.


• Participate in cohort‑based development focused on topics such as continuous improvement, food and associate safety, leading and influencing others, business acumen, communication, and presenting to leadership.


• Apply Pathways learning directly to the full‑time assignment while strengthening the technical judgment, relationship‑management capability, and cross‑functional perspective needed for continued career growth at Perdue.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university completed within 24 months of the Pathways Program start date. Preferred degree concentrations include Poultry Science, Animal Science, Agribusiness Management, Agriculture, Business Administration, or a related field.


• Strong customer service, relationship‑building, and interpersonal skills.


• Strong reading, math, written and verbal communication, analytical, problem‑solving, and data interpretation skills.


• Ability to work effectively and independently in a field‑based environment while maintaining strong communication with producers, leaders, and cross‑functional partners.


• Ability to work well within a team setting and influence results without direct authority.


• Demonstrated leadership potential, sound judgment, initiative, and ability to manage multiple priorities.


• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license that meets applicable company requirements.


• Ability and willingness to work schedules and travel within an assigned production area as necessary to learn and support Live Operations.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Must be physically able to work in poultry houses, hatcheries, feed mills, processing plants, and other Live Operations environments as required by the rotational learning plan and assigned responsibilities.


• May be exposed to seasonal weather conditions, airborne dust and feathers, wet or moist floors, temperature and humidity variations, noise, poultry‑production chemicals, chicken manure, associated odors, and ammonia.


• Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company, including respiratory protection when required for assigned duties and following applicable medical evaluation and fit‑testing requirements.


• Required to perform moderate physical exertion, which may include pushing, pulling, lifting up to 75 lbs., climbing, bending, lifting, and stooping.

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.

Take a look at where you could be working