Trainee Operations Management-1st Shift-Waldron Plant

Tyson Foods, Inc.; Waldron (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Tyson Foods, Inc. in Waldron, Arkansas seeks an Operations Management Trainee (OMT), a developmental leadership role focused on supporting production and improving performance through analysis, independent judgment, and cross-functional collaboration.

You will analyze metrics, recommend process improvements for safety, quality, yield, and efficiency, and coordinate with HR, Maintenance, FSQA, and Accounting while building foundational leadership to manage teams and processes.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in a related field or equivalent practical experience (1 year) required; bachelor’s preferred.
• Internships or hands-on work in production, agriculture, or live operations with analytical thinking and independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze operational performance metrics to identify trends and opportunities.
• Recommend and implement process improvements for safety, quality, yield, and efficiency.
• Exercise independent judgment in troubleshooting issues and proposing solutions.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives with HR, Maintenance, FSQA, and Accounting.
• Lead or direct teams in assigned situations and provide guidance to supervisors.
• Support decision-making by delivering insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Monitor compliance with policies and regulatory requirements and escalate risks.
• Participate in planning of staffing, production flow, and resource allocation.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying cost savings and waste reduction opportunities.
• Apply leadership principles to influence team performance and accountability.
• Develop working knowledge of equipment, processes, and systems.

Skills

Excel

SAP

Communication

Problem solving

Leadership potential

Adaptability

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Details:

The Operations Management Trainee (OMT) role is a developmental leadership position responsible for supporting and influencing day-to-day production and operational performance through the application of independent judgment, data-driven analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. This role contributes to the execution of plant and live operations priorities by identifying operational opportunities, recommending solutions, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The OMT partners with leadership to enhance safety, quality, efficiency, and compliance while building foundational leadership capability to manage teams and processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze operational performance metrics and identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Recommend and help implement process improvements related to safety, quality, yield, and efficiency
• Exercise independent judgment in troubleshooting operational issues and proposing solutions
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives with HR, Maintenance, FSQA, and Accounting to support plant objectives
• Lead or direct teams in assigned situations (e.g., gap coverage, line oversight, project leadership)
• Support decision-making by providing insights and recommendations to supervisors and managers
• Monitor and evaluate compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements; escalte risks as needed
• Participate in planning and execution of operational priorities, including staffing, production flow, and resource allocation
• Drive continuous improvement efforts, including identifying cost savings, efficiency gains, or waste reduction opportunities
• Apply leadership principles to influence team performance, engagement, and accountability
• Develop working knowledge of equipment, processes, and systems to support operational decision-making

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree, technical degree, or higher in a related field, or equivalent practical experience (1 year) required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Programs/degrees within Operations, Agriculture, Animal Science, poultry science, Food Science, or similar fields are examples.
• Demonstrated exposure through internships, hands‑on work, or academic projects in production, agriculture, manufacturing, live operations, or production operations environments. Demonstrate analytical thinking, problem‑solving, and independent judgment in operational settings.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification:

None Required

Special Job Competencies:

• Basic computer skills (Excel, SAP or related systems preferred)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in fast-paced, team‑oriented environments
• Problem‑solving and critical thinking skills
• Leadership potential and ability to influence without authority
• Adaptability and willingness to learn multiple functions
• Basic understanding of safety and quality standards (preferred) and critical thinking skills

Supervisory:

This role does not have direct reports but is expected to exercise leadership responsibilities, including directing team members, coordinating workflow, and making real‑time decisions to support operational continuity. The role may lead teams, projects, or production lines and is expected to influence performance and outcomes through leadership and decision‑making.

Travel:

Up to 12 trips per year

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 Assistance Eligible:

No

Work Shift:

1ST SHIFT (United States of America)

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.

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.

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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.