Operations Intern – Summer 2025

Perdue Farms is a family-owned food and agriculture company heading into its second century of growth and innovation. We were founded on trust—a value that carries through everything we do. Perdue Foods is a leader in Premium Proteins and Perdue AgriBusiness ranks among the top US grain companies.

Summary

We are actively seeking a hardworking, energetic, self-starter to join our Operations team in Lewiston, NC as an Operations Intern . Perdues Summer Internship program is designed to combine knowledge learned in the classroom with meaningful, real-world experiences.

Our operations intern will become familiar with the workflow of plant operations and giving you learning and shadowing opportunities across plant teams and departments. The internship will be tailored to the interests of the intern and experience level to maximize the learning experience. The intern will be fully immersed and actively participate in all aspects of business in an operational facility.

Benefits:

10-12 Week Summer Program

Hands on learning and exposure to various levels of leadership within Perdue

Competitive Wages

Summer Housing Stipend

Principal and Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Assists the Team Leader and the Shift Leader in the daily tasks such as training, providing work direction and development of subordinates to meet operating, safety, and quality requirements within the department / area.

Assists production staff to ensure product quality and integrity, and ensures all finished product meets or exceeds customer requirements.

Assists in maintaining an environment that is conducive to retaining associates. Consistently administers company policies and procedures.

Rotates through various functions in fresh or cook plants during the course of training which may include Live Haul, Wastewater, Accounting, Human Resources, Receiving, Dressing, Evisceration, Giblet Packing, Grading, Cut Up, Stretch Bag, Deboning, 28 Degree Cooler, Box Room, Weight/Price/Label and Shipping departments.

Minimum Education

Required:

Must be enrolled in an accredited four-year institution pursuing a bachelors degree.

Preferred:

Degree in Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Production Management, Business or Business Administration, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Agriculture, Occupational Safety and Environmental Health

3.0 GPA or higher

Qualifications

Required:

Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Must be at least 18 years old.

Must be a rising sophomore, junior or senior currently pursuing a Bachelors degree.

Preferred:

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to work well within a team setting, as well as independently.

Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to motivate in a team atmosphere.

Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements

Ability to work for 8 hours or more in a stationary position or travel on a wet, moist, dry, greasy floors which may include metal or plastic grating surfaces with up to 4 hours in a single interval.

Ability to work from various types of ladders and/or stairs.

Exposure to and work in temperatures of less than -40 degrees and 75 degrees with ambient humidity.

Noise exposure of 110 db, and light intensity range of 50 to 100 foot candles.

Bending, twisting, lifting up to 50 lbs, reaching, sitting, and grasping varies in repetitions, distance, degrees, angle, weight, heights, longest interval of time, objects grasped, and body positions depending upon the maintenance task required. Exposure to chlorinated water (50 ppm, ammonia vapors ) 5 ppm, dry ice, caustic detergents, lubricating oils, hydraulic oils, and other chemicals found in a poultry processing plant.

Must use and / or wear protective and safety equipment required for the job.

Perdue Farms, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.