Operations Management Trainee

Mountaire Farms; Millsboro (DE); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Mountaire Farms in Millsboro, Delaware, seeks driven individuals for its Operations Management Trainee Program. This 26-week immersive program offers hands-on experience in poultry processing operations, designed to cultivate future leaders.

Participants will rotate through various departments, tackle meaningful projects, and receive mentorship, preparing them for supervisory roles. Ideal candidates should have a degree or relevant certification, strong work ethic, and leadership potential.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree or relevant trade certification.
• 0 - 2 years of relevant experience.
• Strong work ethic and leadership potential.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on work environment.

Responsibilities

• Participate in rotations across key processing departments.
• Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to operational challenges.
• Receive performance evaluations and complete self-assessments.
• Participate in core development sessions focused on teamwork.
• Submit weekly and monthly reports summarizing key learnings.

Skills

Strong work ethic

Leadership potential

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree or relevant trade certification

Job description

Job Description

In search of driven, high‑potential individuals to join our Operations Management Trainee Program, a 26‑week immersive hands‑on experience designed to develop future leaders in poultry processing operations. This program offers comprehensive exposure to our processing facilities and focuses on building leadership, problem‑solving and operational excellence. Trainees will rotate through key operational departments, gaining in‑depth knowledge of the business while working alongside experienced mentors and subject matter experts (SMEs). They will be challenged with meaningful projects, receive regular feedback and develop critical leadership and technical skills in a fast‑paced environment. Upon successful completion of the program, trainees will be eligible for placement in a supervisory role within Processing Operations.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Participate in structured rotations across key processing departments such as Live Haul, First Processing, Second Processing, Debone, Tray Pack and Shipping, under the guidance of a dedicated mentor to gain hands‑on exposure and a comprehensive understanding of end‑to‑end Plant operations.
• Apply problem‑solving and critical thinking skills to daily operational challenges, learning from both frontline leaders and your mentor while contributing to production flow, process improvement, quality control and yield optimization in each department.
• Receive performance evaluations at the end of each rotation and complete a self‑assessment to reflect on learning, identifying growth areas and setting goals for continuous improvement.
• Participate in three core development sessions focused on accountability, communication and collaboration and engage in Early Talent team events to build essential leadership competencies and peer connections.
• Submit a weekly and monthly report summarizing key learnings, challenges and questions to ensure continuous engagement and visibility to program leaders.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree or relevant trade certification (area of study considered based on business needs). Internal candidates may qualify with at least 2 years of service with Mountaire, be in good standing with no disciplinary actions in the past 12 months and have a supervisor's recommendation for program participation.
• 0 - 2 years’ relevant experience.
• Strong work ethic and leadership potential.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, hands‑on work environment.
• Eagerness to learn, grow and contribute to team success.