Operations Management Trainee (Pathways) Program

Perdue Farms; Concord (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Perdue Farms is seeking an Operations Management Trainee to develop future leaders in plant operations. This full-time program offers structured rotations across key areas to build end-to-end understanding of operations and how they connect to business results.

You will learn safety, quality, and regulatory standards while supporting daily production and guiding frontline teams. Strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree completed within 24 months of start date with a 3.0+ GPA.
• Willingness to rotate across shifts (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
• Strong written and verbal communication; teamwork and independence.
• Exposure to Microsoft applications; CMMS; AutoCAD; project management or process improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Participate in rotations across key operational areas to understand plant operations and business impact.
• Learn and apply safety, quality, sanitation, regulatory and standard operating procedures.
• Support daily production activities and assist in supervising frontline associates.
• Monitor performance, identify issues, and collaborate with leaders to resolve problems.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement using data and observations.

Skills

Strong communication

Team player

Independent worker

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

CMMS

AutoCAD

Job description

Operations Management Trainee | Perdue Farms

The Tone:

This is a full-time leadership development trainee program at Perdue Farms. Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business dedicated to becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins, creating products globally, and changing how animals are raised. This role is crucial for developing future operations leaders who will drive operational excellence and impact business performance, supported by a culture valuing teamwork, integrity, and respect.

The TL;DR

• Role: Trainee Program
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Not specified
• Mission: Prepare the next generation of operations leaders to drive operational excellence and strong business results.
• Tech Stack: Microsoft applications, computerized maintenance management systems, AutoCAD

What You’ll Actually Do

• Gain Operational Understanding: Participate in structured rotations across key operational areas to build an end-to-end understanding of plant operations, processes, and their connection to business results.
• Ensure Compliance and Quality: Learn and apply Perdue’s expectations for associate safety, food safety, quality, sanitation, regulatory compliance, and operational standards through hands-on learning.
• Manage Daily Production: Support daily operational activities and transition to supervising frontline associates, coordinating work, communicating priorities, and promoting a safe, respectful, and engaged environment.
• Monitor Performance and Problem Solve: Monitor production performance, quality, safety, attendance, staffing, and workflow, identifying issues and collaborating with leaders and cross-functional partners to resolve problems.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for improvement using operational data and observations, contributing to assigned projects that enhance safety, quality, service, productivity, cost, or associate engagement.

The Must-Haves

• Background: Entry-Level, requiring a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university completed within 24 months of the Pathways Program start date, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Preferred degrees include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or other related engineering or science-based fields.
• Experience: Willingness to work a rotation of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts and engage in hands-on learning and observation across operational areas.
• Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to work well within a team setting, ability to work independently, and capability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Bonus: Working knowledge of Microsoft applications; exposure to computerized maintenance management systems; AutoCAD, project management, reliability, maintenance, process control, or related technical experience.