Trainee Operations Management-1st Shift-Waldron Plant

Tyson Foods

Posted 11 days ago

Full Time

Waldron, Arkansas

In Person

Smart Summary

Responsibilities

The Operations Management Trainee supports daily production and operational performance through data-driven analysis and cross-functional collaboration. This role drives continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and efficiency standards.

Qualifications

You have an associate's degree or equivalent experience in a related field, with a preference for a Bachelor's degree in Operations, Agriculture, or a similar area. You have demonstrated analytical thinking and problem-solving skills through internships or academic projects in production or operational environments.

Must Have Skills for ATS

Excel

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; escalate 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.

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


The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.


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.

Tyson Foods

Founded in 1935, Tyson Foods, Inc.® has fed families for generations with the best affordable protein products. What began as a small regional poultry business in Springdale, Arkansas, has grown into a globally recognized leader in protein, serving customers and communities around the world. With a team of more than 130,000 members, Tyson Foods advances how food is produced, delivered and enjoyed. Across our operations, we continuously innovate our supply chain, invest in new technology and support responsible practices that help us deliver safe, quality food. Over the years, Tyson Foods has grown to include more than 30 beloved brands, including Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, State Fair®, aidells® and other trusted names. Through our robust family of brands, we now produce nearly 20% of the chicken, beef and pork in the United States. Our story is rooted in hard work, humility and purpose, and throughout our history, we have stayed true to those values. Today, we stand by our mission of bringing high-quality food to every table in the world safely, sustainably and affordably, now and for future generations. At Tyson Foods, we feed the world like family.®
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