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Wayne-Sanderson Farms

Nation's third-largest poultry producer

Shift Manager

Full-TimePosted on 10/27/2026
No salary listed
Mid, Senior
Bachelor's
Enterprise, AL, USA
In Person
Manufacturing & Production Operations

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 3–5 years of relevant experience in a similar production environment.
  • A bachelor's degree or equivalent.
  • Working knowledge of poultry processing, food safety regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
  • Proficient knowledge of production processes, general line maintenance, and staffing.
  • Proficient English language knowledge and skills, both oral and written.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities.
  • Demonstrated success building effective teams, with the ability to lead by engaging and motivating a team and influencing an organization.
  • Effective interpersonal communication skills sufficient to communicate and interact effectively with all levels within the organization.
  • Proficient knowledge and use of Microsoft Office programs.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
  • Ability to handle and resolve most issues independently.
  • High work capacity, dependability, results orientation, and a strong sense of urgency.
  • Demonstrated sound work ethic, honesty, and moral character.
  • Ability to understand and interpret data while drawing logical conclusions based on available inputs.
  • Critical thinking skills in standardized situations and in non-routine problems.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and prioritize work accordingly.
  • Ability to follow departmental and company safety policies and programs.
Responsibilities
  • Manage all aspects of production and provide leadership for employees on second shift.
  • Be responsible for entire shift operations, including oversight for maintenance personnel.
  • Assist supervisors with supervising and training production employees.
  • Work with all employees to ensure production and yield requirements are met daily.
  • Ensure the safety of all employees.
  • Work with Quality Assurance department personnel to ensure all food safety requirements and specifications are met.
  • Participate in the development of employees within designated areas.
  • Enforce company policies and procedures.
  • Administer corrective action plans and disciplinary actions to ensure consistency.
  • Supervise 1–10 salary and hourly employees.
Desired Qualifications
  • Previous experience in the poultry industry, preferably with first and second processing.
  • Previous supervisory or leadership experience.
  • Previous thermal processing experience.
  • Preferably, relevant experience in the food industry.

About the company

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is a large poultry producer that raises and processes chicken for retail, foodservice, and other customers. It operates 23 facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas, and employs more than 26,000 people. It offers a broad portfolio of brands, including WAYNE FARMS, SANDERSON FARMS, COVINGTON FARMS, PLATINUM HARVEST, CHEF’S CRAFT, and NAKED TRUTH, with both fresh and further-processed chicken. The company focuses on affordable, high-quality poultry and emphasizes integrity and responsible farm and workplace practices to serve customers and communities.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Oakwood, Georgia

Founded

2022

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The July 2025 Harrison Poultry acquisition expanded Wayne-Sanderson's Georgia footprint and capacity.
  • September 2026 Mercy Chefs shipments prove operational flexibility across disasters and regions.
  • May 2026 Mississippi State feed mill backing strengthens talent pipelines, research ties, and feed innovation.

What critics are saying

  • The DOJ's January 18, 2025 enforcement motion targets Agri Stats data-sharing and monitorship violations.
  • The 2022 consent decree still burdens management and can extend into 2026 court remedies.
  • Any adverse antitrust ruling could trigger deeper pricing scrutiny, damages, and supplier distrust across poultry.

What makes Wayne-Sanderson Farms unique

  • Wayne-Sanderson is the nation's third-largest poultry producer, with 24 facilities and 27,000 employees.
  • Its vertically integrated network spans hatcheries, feed mills, processing plants, and 2,000 farm partners.
  • The Sanderson brand's 2024 AI chatbot shows unusual consumer-facing experimentation inside a commodity producer.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match

Company News

Poultry Producer
Jul 28th, 2025
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Acquires Harrison Poultry, Expanding Its Footprint in Georgia - Poultry Producer

Wayne-Sanderson Farms, one of the largest vertically integrated poultry producers in the U.S., has announced the acquisition of Harrison Poultry, solidifying its presence in Georgia and expanding operational capacity across […]

PR Newswire
Jan 19th, 2025
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Seeks Relief From Court Against Recent Actions By The U.S. Department Of Justice

OAKWOOD, Ga., Jan. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne-Sanderson Farms today filed its own motion seeking clarity and relief from the court that its participation in the industry-standard Agri Stats subscription service is lawful and permitted. This was necessitated by unprecedented actions taken by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. At 2:15 a.m. Saturday morning, the Division filed a motion seeking to declare the Company in violation of the Consent Decree and to force the Company to abandon its longstanding use of the industry benchmarking service Agri Stats

PR Newswire
Jun 4th, 2024
Sanderson Farms Brand Debuts Industry-First Artificial Intelligence Chicken Chatbot Tool

Latest Innovation by Wayne-Sanderson Farms Brand Enhances Online Customer ServiceOAKWOOD, Ga., June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- What if instead of having to search online for ideas on what to do with the fresh chicken in the fridge, consumers could ask the experts at Sanderson Farms® for specially-crafted recipes and inspiration for their next meal? This is where the revolutionary new artificial intelligence (AI) Chicken ChatBot comes in. Affectionally known as "Sandy" and powered by OpenAI's API for ChatGPT, consumers can start a chat on the Sanderson Farms website for quick cooking tips, fast recipe finds, helpful serving suggestions, and more. Meet Sandy our new chatbot. "We are proud to introduce Sandy, the first-ever chicken chatbot tool, to answer just about any question as it relates to recipes and cooking tips," said Hilary Burroughs, Vice President of Marketing for Wayne-Sanderson Farms. "We hope consumers find Sandy to be polite, witty and helpful, just like a good friend, to discuss all things chicken."When visiting the Sanderson Farms website, consumers will be prompted to start a chat with Sandy to answer their chicken queries. Sandy is equipped to share delicious chicken recipes based on the unique details provided, and can make recommendations for specific dietary needs and preferences, like gluten-free, Keto, and low-fat