Trainee Operations Management

Tyson Foods; Union City (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Tyson Foods in Union City, TN is seeking an Operations Management Trainee to help drive day-to-day production and operational performance through data analysis and cross-functional teamwork. The role builds foundational leadership for future supervisory positions.

The trainee will analyze performance data, identify trends and risks, and lead improvements in safety, quality, yield, and efficiency while supporting staffing and production planning.

Qualifications

• Must have problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Ability to analyze performance data to identify trends and risks.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze performance results to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Recommend and support improvements in safety, quality, yield, and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and propose solutions.
• Partner with HR, Maintenance, FSQA, and Accounting.
• Lead teams or processes as needed (line coverage, projects, etc.).
• Support supervisors and managers with data and recommendations.
• Monitor compliance and escalate risks when needed.
• Support planning for staffing, production flow, and resources.
• Drive continuous improvement (cost savings, waste reduction, efficiency gains).
• Build knowledge of equipment, processes, and systems.

Skills

Leadership potential

Strong communication

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Excel

SAP

Education

Associate’s degree, technical degree, or higher

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Excel

SAP

Job description

Job Details

Job Summary The Operations Management Trainee (OMT) is a developmental leadership role supporting day-to-day production and operational performance. This position uses independent judgment, data analysis, and cross-functional teamwork to identify opportunities and drive improvement. The role builds foundational leadership capability for future supervisor positions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Analyze performance results to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Recommend and support improvements in safety, quality, yield, and efficiency
• Troubleshoot operational issues and propose solutions
• Partner with teams such as HR, Maintenance, FSQA, and Accounting
• Lead teams or processes as needed (line coverage, projects, etc.)
• Support supervisors and managers with data and recommendations
• Monitor compliance and escalate risks when needed
• Support planning for staffing, production flow, and resources
• Drive continuous improvement (cost savings, waste reduction, efficiency gains)
• Build knowledge of equipment, processes, and systems

Education & Experience

• Associate’s degree, technical degree, or higher in a related field or equivalent practical experience (1 year)
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree
• Relevant fields: Operations, Agriculture, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Food Science, or similar
• Exposure to production, agriculture, or manufacturing environments through work, internships, or school projects
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical thinking

Key Competencies

• Basic computer skills (Excel; SAP preferred)
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to work in fast-paced environments
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Leadership potential and ability to influence others
• Adaptability and willingness to learn
• Understanding of safety and quality standards (preferred)

Supervisory

No direct reports, but responsible for leading teams, coordinating work, and making real-time decisions to support operations.

Travel

Up to 12 trips per year

AI & Data 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.

Relocation

Relocation Assistance Eligible: No

Work Shift

1ST SHIFT (United States of America)

Background Checks

Certain roles at Tyson require background checks. 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.

Accessibility

Hourly Applicants ONLY -You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment.

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.

If you would like to learn more about your data privacy rights and how you may use that information, please read our Job Applicant Privacy Notice here.

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.

Our team members make the difference. If you are ready to grow your career with an industry leader and want to positively impact the team and community around you, then join us in helping us in raising expectations. Join us on the journey. At Tyson, we feed the world like family.

Our Talent Strategy is to Attract, Grow, Reward and Retain the best talent, and we believe that our Culture is the connecting thread that drives that strategy! We strive to be a talent magnet to establish a reputation for being a talent rich organization where team members can grow their career while growing the business. We are a high performing organization where team members are rewarded (Pay, Benefits and Recognition) for their contributions, and given the opportunity to support and/or volunteer with programs that help Tyson make a lasting social impact in the communities where we live and work. To learn more about our culture, please read Our Purpose.

The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. Tyson Foods, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you are unable to apply for career opportunities through use of this site due to an impairment or disability, please contact [phone] for further assistance.