Operations Management Trainee

Perdue Farms; Cromwell (KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pathways training events

Transition bonus

Relocation assistance

Advancement to Supervisor role

Mentorship programs

Job summary

Perdue Foods is launching the Operations Management Trainee Pathways Program in June 2027 to develop future leaders in premium proteins. The 24‑month program combines hands‑on learning, structured rotations, mentorship, and leadership development to build technical, operational, and leadership skills for leading high‑performing teams.

During year one, participants rotate through key operations areas and transition into a full‑time supervisor role at 12 months.

Qualifications

• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Bachelor’s degree completed within 24 months of Pathways start date; preferred concentrations include Mechanical, Electrical, Reliability, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology or related fields.
• For the June 2027 program, eligible graduation dates include May 2025 – May 2027.
• Willingness to rotate across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work well in a team or independently.

Responsibilities

• Participate in structured rotations across key operational areas to gain end‑to‑end understanding of plant operations and business results.
• Support associate safety, food safety, quality, sanitation, regulatory compliance, and operational standards.
• Develop working knowledge of production processes, equipment, labor utilization, productivity and quality measures.
• Assist with coaching, onboarding, and performance conversations as you progress toward a Production Supervisor role.
• Prepare and deliver presentations on assigned projects or topics to leadership.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Office

Job description

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.

Summary

Are you ready to launch your career as a future Operations leader at Perdue? As part of our Operations 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 operations leaders. Through hands-on learning, meaningful projects, structured rotations, mentorship, and leadership development, you’ll gain real-world experience across key areas of our operations while building the technical, operational, and leadership skills needed to lead high-performing teams and make a lasting impact on business performance. During your first year, you’ll rotate through key operational areas, gaining a strong foundation in our business and developing the skills and experience needed to take on increasing responsibility before transitioning into a full-time supervisor role at the 12-month mark. Your second year will accelerate your growth through personalized development, mentorship, cohort learning, and advanced learning experiences designed to strengthen your leadership capabilities and prepare you for long-term success. This program is ideal for motivated, curious, and driven individuals who are eager to learn, take on meaningful challenges, lead others, and build a rewarding career driving operational excellence and strong business results at Perdue.

Benefits

• Participate in up to two (2) Regional Pathways Training events alongside fellow participants from across the organization. These experiences include leadership development, networking opportunities, company tours, community service initiatives, social events, and direct interaction with senior leaders.
• Competitive starting salary with scheduled pay increases after 6 and 12 months in the program.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including a transition bonus and relocation assistance for eligible participants.
• Opportunity to advance into an Operations Supervisor role upon successful completion of the first 12 months of the Pathways Program.
• During your second year, you’ll continue accelerating your career through advanced leadership development, personalized career mapping, enhanced learning opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship designed to prepare you for long-term success at Perdue.
• 2nd year benefits include: Refining leadership skills, enhanced learning opportunities, personalized career mapping, and dedicated mentorship.

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.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

OMT I 0-6 months

• Participate in structured rotations across key operational areas to build an end-to-end understanding of plant operations, processes, interdepartmental communication, and the connection between operational decisions and business results.
• Learn and apply Perdue’s expectations for associate safety, food safety, quality, sanitation, regulatory compliance, and operational standards while working alongside experienced operations leaders and frontline associates.
• Develop working knowledge of production processes, equipment, labor utilization, productivity measures, quality measures, and daily operating routines through hands-on learning and observation.
• Support daily operational activities under the direction of experienced leaders, gaining exposure to production planning, staffing, workflow, equipment performance, problem-solving, and issue escalation.
• Build relationships with frontline associates and cross-functional partners while demonstrating teamwork, integrity, respect, accountability, and a willingness to learn.
• Use operational data and observations to identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to assigned projects that support safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, or associate engagement.
• Participate in Pathways learning, mentoring, business tours, leadership development sessions, and cohort activities to strengthen communication, business acumen, and leadership capabilities.
• Demonstrate increasing independence throughout the first six months by applying learned concepts, communicating observations and recommendations, and taking ownership of assigned tasks and development goals.

OMT II 6-12 months

• Continue structured operational learning while taking on increased responsibility for day-to-day production activities and preparing for transition into a full-time Production Supervisor role at the completion of 12 months.
• Support the supervision of frontline associates by helping coordinate daily work, communicate priorities, reinforce expectations, and promote a safe, respectful, accountable, and engaged work environment.
• Monitor production performance, quality, safety, attendance, staffing, and workflow; identify issues and work with operations leadership and cross-functional partners to resolve problems and minimize disruptions.
• Apply knowledge of food safety, quality, sanitation, regulatory requirements, and company standards to support consistent compliance and product quality across assigned operations.
• Assist with associate training, coaching, onboarding, and performance conversations, progressively building the skills required to lead, develop, and hold a frontline team accountable.
• Participate in and, as development progresses, take ownership of continuous improvement opportunities that improve productivity, quality, safety, cost, waste reduction, or operational efficiency.
• Communicate operational updates, performance results, challenges, and opportunities to leaders and cross-functional partners; prepare and deliver presentations on assigned projects or business topics.
• Demonstrate readiness for the Production Supervisor role by independently leading defined operational activities, making sound decisions within established guidelines, escalating issues appropriately, and balancing safety, quality, people, service, and productivity priorities.
• Continue participating in Pathways cohort learning and leadership development, including topics such as continuous improvement, food and associate safety, leading teams, business acumen, and presenting to leadership, while applying those learnings to the workplace.

Minimum Education And Experience

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university completed within 24 months of the Pathways Program start date. Preferred degree concentrations include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or another related engineering or science-based field.
• For the June 2027 program, eligible graduation dates include: May 2025 – May 2027
• 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.

Preferred Education And Experience

• Working knowledge of Microsoft applications; exposure to computerized maintenance management systems.
• AutoCAD, project management, reliability, maintenance, process control, or related technical experience.

Physical Requirements And Environmental Factors

• 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.