Operations Trainee - Career Foundation Program

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

A functional trainee is an individual who undergoes training for positions in their field of expertise. The Career Foundation Program is the best way to prepare employees to become future leaders of the company. It equips them with the required skills, judgment, and know-how of being an effective and responsible leader.

1. A functional trainee is exposed to every aspect of their business and role. A functional trainee would be expected to know all facets of their particular piece of the business, from sales to customer service, to quality assurance and operations. As such, the functional trainee becomes very flexible and a subject matter expert when it comes to skills related to his or her job.

1. You can have a pick of the job you love most. Smithfield offers functional trainees a chance to work in departments they feel they could excel in. Each rotation places an emphasis on providing opportunities to enhance each trainee's leadership skills, and gain exposure to growth areas of the business. If you've been particularly stellar in sales, or you are interested in operations, you could choose to develop in that area.

1. It develops teamwork. As trainees, you will be working with teams or with a department leader who will show you how things are done. You will learn to work with teams of different members across all levels of the organization. Sometimes, you will be working with a higher management, other times you'll work hand in hand with your subordinates. Aside from developing teamwork, you could also build up a mentor-apprentice relationship with the people you work with.

1. Career opportunities are endless. Career advancement is the ultimate goal of training. Once a vacancy comes up, you will have a great chance of being promoted. The Career Foundation Program prepares graduates for positions with increased level of responsibility and complexity. Simply put, the Career Foundation Program places you on the radar of the company's meticulous executives.

1. It is the best way to “earn your stripes”. Being part of a Career Development Program is very much like being in school, or perhaps enrolling in an MBA program. The only difference is that you get real work-related situations and problems that need fast, implementable solutions. The result? You will have a holistic understanding of your division and company.

Responsibilities and tasks are written as follows:

• Rotate within the different departments of the Operations function in our plants to gain perspective in: Maximizing Yields & Efficiencies, Maintaining Product Quality, Customer Service Standards, Employee Safety & Ergonomics, and Employee Relations through a “hands-on” learning experience.
• Gain knowledge of process functions through cross departmental communication.
• Work with others to plan and direct the work of the organization including: cost savings, quality issues, and improving product yield.
• Perform as a leader within various departments to include Harvest, Cut and Processing.
• Gain knowledge and understanding of yields, plant efficiencies, operations procedures, USDA/HACCP regulations, and OSHA Standards.
• Receive classroom instruction in subjects related to their rotational experience.
• Attend lectures, watch guest speakers, create and execute projects, and oral presentations.
• Participate in periodic performance evaluations.
• Utilize company reporting to analyze yield and labor efficiencies.
• Work with and through management to develop and implement actions that protect company assets and profitability.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness, AgEcon, Meat Science, Animal Science, Food Science, or related major (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university
• Desire and attitude to excel.
• Planning, organization and execution skills.
• Strong oral and written language skills.
• Strong decision-making and problem solving skills.
• Ability to travel and relocate.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
• Must be able to relocate during the 24-month period rotation.