Optimization Manager Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Optimize workforce planning and drive operational efficiency by ensuring the right people are in the right place at the right time. As a Workforce Optimization Scheduler, you will develop and manage labor schedules using advanced scheduling tools while aligning staffing with production needs, equipment availability, and operational flow. You will collaborate closely with Production, Supply, Maintenance, Logistics, and HR teams to support workforce planning, monitor key performance indicators, and adjust staffing to meet changing demands. This role is ideal for a detail oriented, analytical professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys working with data and systems, and is passionate about improving efficiency and supporting high performing operations.

This position is located onsite at our facility in Prince George, VA.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am-4:00pm

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and long-term labor schedules aligned with production requirements.
• Optimize workforce capacity by aligning staffing schedules with real time production requirements and equipment availability, including creating and offering open shift opportunities to address workflow constraints and maintain operational continuity.
• Maintain cross-functional alignment between Production, Supply, Maintenance, Logistics, and HR to ensure workforce optimization strategies support production forecasts and operational scheduling demands.
• Manage UKG Advanced Scheduler components—including schedule patterns, schedule groups, skills, and forecasting—and integrate scheduling data with ERP/MRP platforms (SAP, Oracle) to generate accurate workforce assignments for all labor dependent departments.
• Develop and analyze labor KPIs, workforce trends, and seasonal needs to support operational decision making and future planning.
• Ensure labor scheduling complies with USDA, OSHA, FDA, HACCP, and sanitation requirements while maintaining an equitable distribution of overtime and extra work opportunities to minimize strain and unnecessary labor costs.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing operational efficiency and reducing waste.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• 2 - 3+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, production planning, or workforce scheduling.
• Proficiency with UKG Scheduler or equivalent WFM system.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines in a fast paced, high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated analytical capability and ability to support operational efficiency.
• Expertise in production scheduling and workforce management.
• Strong technical and analytical skills including advanced Excel modeling.
• Knowledge of USDA, FDA, HACCP, OSHA, and labor regulation.
• Understanding of poultry or food operations and multistage processing workflows.
• Strong time management, adaptability, and attention to detail.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in food, agriculture, or poultry manufacturing.
• HACCP knowledge or certification.
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI for analytics.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Position is mostly sedentary but may require occasional moving to other offices or buildings.
• May need to move light equipment or supplies from one place to another.
• May need to access files, supplies and equipment.
• Work activity is in an office, open-partitioned, cubicle environment.

When in a plant environment:

• Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces.
• May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity.
• May handle products from 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db. to 110 db.
• May be exposed to all chemicals used in poultry, food, and processing facility.
• Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company.

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