Graduate Trainee Program Jobs in North Carolina (NOW HIRING)

Step into your future with Butterball—America’s most loved and trusted turkey brand. Best known for being at the heart of Thanksgiving celebrations, Butterball also delivers a variety of delicious turkey products to families around the world to be enjoyed every day. Our 6,000+ team members work cross-functionally to achieve the same goal: to create high-quality turkey products for our consumers.   

 Our 12- month rotational Management Trainee Program provides recent graduates with a unique opportunity to explore every area of our business, from live operations, to production, to distribution, and everywhere in between. This insight sheds light on a variety of career paths and opportunities within our dynamic organization.   

The rotations occur in 3 segments:  

• Mount Olive, North Carolina (Processing Facility)  

• Garner, North Carolina (Corporate Office)  

• Huntsville, Arkansas (Processing Facility)  

The program’s primary purpose is to grow future leaders by providing professional development and a series of assignments that align with professional interest within the processing and manufacturing industry. 

 Upon successful completion of the program, trainees will be offered a leadership opportunity in one of our processing facilities.  

What you’ll do: 

At each program location, you’ll rotate through all departments and business areas, gaining hands-on experience with the roles, equipment, and materials that power every stage of the production process.  

• Network and form professional relationships with leaders and team members across our company through department rotations and leadership training.  

• Observe and support daily operations to understand workflows, risks, potential challenges, and key performance indicators (KPIs). 

• Actively participate in various leadership development sessions, such as leadership scenario training, presentation skills, systems training, etc. 

• Track your own learning and development on a weekly cadence utilizing provided learning rotation journal. 

• Learn and apply company policies on human safety, animal welfare, product quality and environmental regulations.  

• May undertake and contribute to small-scale projects such as evaluating production data, providing continuous improvement feedback on current processes, assessing labor efficiency, etc. 

What you’ll get: 

• Hands on operations experience. 

• Professional and personal development. 

• Housing and relocation assistance. 

• Competitive compensation and benefits.  

• Opportunities to network with and learn from industry experts.  

• Full-time production leadership offer upon successful completion of program.  

Qualifications: 

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Poultry, Animal Science, Food Science, or related field. (Expected to graduate between December 2025-May 2026). 

• Desire to work with others/ team mentality. 

• Interest in leading people.  

• Willingness to work in a manufacturing environment.  

• Inquisitive- curious and eager to learn.  

• Previous intern, co-op, or work experience.  

• Nice to have but not required: Experience in poultry/meat food manufacturing. 

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of what is required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not imply or establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.   

Butterball, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.