College students holding hands in the air
Kickstart your career.
JBS USA & Pilgrim's logos side by side

JBS USA is a leading global food company providing diversified, high-quality products to customers in approximately 100 countries on six continents. This includes meat and poultry products, a portfolio of recognized brands and innovative premium foods. JBS USA is also a majority shareholder of Pilgrim’s, the largest poultry producer in the world.
Student Opportunities

Our Internship and Trainee Programs have been designed for people who are ready to
​​​​​​​grow their industry knowledge, find a long term career, and pursue their passion.
If you’re ready to lead and feed the world, apply now!

Internship Program logo
  • 10 weeks of challenging, hands-on work experience in a production facility or our corporate office.
  • Mentoring and coaching by a cultural ambassador and technical expert within your facility.
  • Interacting with our company’s senior leadership team.
  • Building industry relationships with company leaders and other interns.
  • Rotating through various departments and business functions for plant operations interns.

Dates: May 20 – July 26, 2024
Click to see past internship projects.

Click a department below to apply:
Internship Program logo
  • Projects: Challenging goals with key performance indicators that impact our bottom line. Your goals will tie directly into department/plant objectives.
  • Leadership Training: Three sessions at our Greeley, CO, headquarters where you will learn from executives, managers, and innovative leaders.
  • Supervise a Team: When you’re ready, you will supervise a department and share ideas on how to improve our processes.
  • Final Placement: In the last four months, we are intentional about providing hands-on training in an area of interest for a full time position.
Dates: January 22 and June 10, 2024
Length of Program: 8-12 months


Click a department below to apply:
Management Trainee logo
  • Six month rotational program at our corporate office in Greeley, CO.
  • Challenging and practical work experience that ties directly to department key performance indicators.
  • Shadow other roles within each rotation to gain a better understanding of business objectives.
  • Final placement will be in a full time position that aligns with your skills, as well as the business needs.

Dates: January 22 and June 10, 2024

***Filled for 2024***
5 Reasons to Work for Us
Young men and women enjoying chicken sandwiches outside
We feed the world.
Group of JBS USA team members with hands up, standing on grass
We lead through our values, driving a strong people-first culture.
Two team members in hard hats shaking hands
It's in our DNA to create opportunities for better futures for all team members.
JBS USA team members in a white frock giving a thumbs up
We are determined to be the best in everything we do, while building the best team in the industry.
JBS USA team member in front of mountains and tank of clarified water
We have a high performance, competitive mindset and are constantly focused on continuous improvement and innovation.
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Who We Are
We value diversity, strive to be the best in all we do, and are committed to providing a better future for our team members.
"What I enjoyed most about my experience as a trainee was the ability to go throughout all the different departments and learn the entire process."
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John Beasley
General Manager in Plainwell, MI
Colorado State University alum 
"What I like the most about the JBS trainee program is the opportunity to work with multiple people from different backgrounds. My job is not only to manage a processing department, but to help my team grow an evolve in a professional and personal level. I cannot describe the feeling I get knowing I was there to help them out and when you know you were an important part of their life."
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Eduardo Santana
Production Manager in Nacogdoches, TX
Texas Tech alum 
"Within a year of graduating the program as a Food Safety Supervisor, I was promoted to Superintendent and the gained responsibility for the Fabrication QA and Trim QA departments. At this point my team had tripled in size, and I was responsible for all of the B shift food safety/quality programs. My favorite thing about this position was having the opportunity to grow and develop my teams. By doing so you have the opportunity to better your department, but also create a better future for the individuals you’re working with."
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Darby Allen
Animal Welfare Director for Fed and Regional Beef in Greeley, CO  
Purdue University alum
How to Prepare
Resume
  • Include leadership and/or agriculture experience
  • Your resume is a marketing tool, not a historical document. Tailor to the job description.
  • No objective statement needed. Instead, include a qualifications section to highlight why you’d be a great fit.
  • One page in length.
  • Clean lines and bullets, not extensive paragraphs.
Interview
  • Review our Values and Mission.
  • Review your strengths and weaknesses - and include what you are doing to improve.
  • Practice common interview questions with friends.
  • Think of times when you persevered, your greatest accomplishment, and where you see yourself in 3-5 years.
Interview Process
  • Virtual group interview with other candidates participating in activities together. 
  • Virtual one-on-one interview with a Talent Development Manager. 
  • Microsoft Teams meeting with plant or corporate office to get to know you better. 
  • Visit the plant facility you are interested in pursuing the program. Interview with the leadership team (Management Trainee Program only). 
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Join our Talent Community
We will notify you about relevant positions, and keep you in mind whenever we have interesting opportunities. Come get them.

Meet the Team

Male JBS USA team member
Nicolás Aguirre

Head of Talent Development

Time with JBS: 10 years 


Nicolas.Aguirre@empirepk.com
Blonde female JBS USA team member
Holly Pliska

Talent Development Manager

Business Units I serve: Fed Beef, Regional Beef, and Pilgrim’s (Case Ready, Big Bird Debone)

Time with JBS: 2 years

Holly.Pliska3@jbssa.com
Female JBS USA team member
Alexia McCabe

Talent Development Manager/Campus Recruiter

Business Units I serve: Corporate, Carriers, Pork, Value Added, Canada, and Pilgrim's (Fresh Food Service, Prepared Foods, Small Bird Debone).

Time with JBS: 1.5 years

Alexia.McCabe@jbssa.com
Female JBS USA team member
Iraid Diaz

Talent Development Manager/Campus Recruiter

Business Units I serve: Swift Prepared Foods and Wild Fork Foods.

Time with JBS: 5 years

Iraid.Diaz2@jbssa.com