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Lead Production Trainer - 2nd Shift

Farmer Focus

Farmer Focus

Harrisonburg, VA, USA
Posted on Jan 6, 2026

Who We Are and What We Do

Farmer Focus’s mission is to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to consistently producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is rooted in servant leadership, and we live by our Farmer Focus CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship.

Who We Are and What We Do

Farmer Focus’ mission is to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm-level decision-making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to consistently producing certified-humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. We work through our Farmer Focus CARES values of Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. We believe in creating a culture of learning and development that unleashes the human potential of all team members.

How This Role Will Be Impactful

The Lead Production Trainer is responsible for coaching and developing Trainers, Buddy Trainers, and team members to ensure high productivity, quality, and compliance. This role focuses on delivering effective training in safety, quality, animal welfare, and operational procedures. The Lead Production Trainer supports continuous improvement efforts while ensuring adherence to food safety programs and all Farmer Focus policies.

Responsibilities

  • Mentor, guide, and motivate Trainers, Buddy Trainers, and team members to achieve peak quality and productivity.
  • Ensure Trainers are proficient in all processes and positions, including department-specific metrics like yield and scrape scores.
  • Oversee Trainers’ documentation of new hire performance during the 60-day introductory period, including required Onboarding check-ins at weeks 2, 4, and 7.
  • Support the Orientation Trainer (Training & Development Specialist) during new hire onboarding (Orientation).
  • Collaborate with your supervisor to plan and implement training improvements.
  • Partner with Trainers, Team Leads, and Operations management to provide consistent feedback on team member performance.
  • Foster a positive team environment through proactive communication and engagement.
  • Coach Trainers to uphold and promote the Farmer Focus mission and core values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship.
  • Ensure feedback from performance evaluations is communicated to the appropriate supervisors.
  • Maintain accurate training and performance tracking documentation.
  • Assist in developing training materials, SOPs, and job aids tailored to poultry operations.
  • Serve as the primary contact for production training activities and support.
  • Contribute to the development of department-wide training strategies.

Job Requirements

  • Reliable attendance and punctuality
  • In-depth production knowledge to train and mentor new and existing trainers
  • Timely and accurate completion of all required documentation
  • Proven performance record with a positive, proactive attitude
  • Physically capable of lifting 70–80 lbs and working in cold, wet, or slippery areas
  • Flexibility to cross‑train and adapt to different roles as needed
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with diverse teams
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
  • Tolerance for noise levels (50–110 dB) and exposure to dust, feathers, and raw poultry
  • 3–5 years’ experience in poultry or meat production, including 1–2 years in a training or leadership role
  • Solid understanding of poultry processing operations, food safety protocols, and production standards
  • Comfort working in a fast‑paced, physically demanding environment
  • Other duties as assigned

Farmer Focus is committed to the principles of equal employment and to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is inclusive and equitable, free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based upon an individual's age, race (including traits historically associated with race, which includes hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity, or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), military status (including status as a uniformed servicemember, a veteran, or dependent of a servicemember), or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Farmer Focus is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.