Operations Management Trainee-Russellville, AR

Tyson Foods•Russellville, AR

About The Position

The Operations Management Trainee (OMT) is a developmental leadership position supporting and influencing day-to-day production and operational performance through independent judgment, data-driven analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. The role contributes to plant and live operations priorities by identifying opportunities, recommending solutions, and driving continuous improvement. It partners with leadership to strengthen safety, quality, efficiency, and compliance while developing foundational leadership capability to manage teams and processes. The role has no direct reports, but is expected to direct team members, coordinate workflow, and make real-time decisions to support operational continuity. It may lead teams, projects, or production lines and influence performance through leadership and decision-making. Travel may include up to 12 trips per year. The position is on first shift. Relocation assistance is available. Candidates must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

Associate’s degree, technical degree, or higher in a related field, or equivalent practical experience (1 year).
Demonstrated exposure through internships, hands-on work, or academic projects in production, agriculture, manufacturing, live operations, or production operations environments.
Demonstrated analytical thinking, problem-solving, and independent judgment in operational settings.
Basic computer skills.
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.
Willingness and ability to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field; examples include Operations, Agriculture, Animal Science, poultry science, or Food Science.
Experience with Excel, SAP, or related systems.
Basic understanding of safety and quality standards.

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.
Use independent judgment to troubleshoot operational issues and propose solutions.
Coordinate cross-functional initiatives with HR, Maintenance, FSQA, and Accounting to support plant objectives.
Lead or direct teams in assigned situations, including gap coverage, line oversight, and project leadership.
Provide insights and recommendations to supervisors and managers to support decision-making.
Monitor compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements, escalating risks as needed.
Participate in planning and executing operational priorities, including staffing, production flow, and resource allocation.
Drive continuous improvement by identifying cost savings, efficiency gains, and 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.
Use approved AI tools responsibly, protect sensitive information, follow company policies, validate outputs, and apply professional judgment.