Tyson Foods to focus on hiring more military veterans

Tyson Foods Inc. held a military summit on Monday (May 20) during which recently separated soldiers toured the company and interviewed for jobs. The summit is part of the company’s commitment to expand its military hiring efforts, according to the release.

“I know from experience that military veterans are well-trained and have an excellent work ethic,” said Alexa O’Leary, senior military recruiter for Tyson Foods and a U.S. Army reservist. “Our company appreciates and supports our nation’s veterans and we’re always looking to hire more.”

Tyson Foods is a leading supplier of food to the Defense Commissary Agency as well as a leading supplier to the Defense Logistics Agency’s troop feeding program. Tyson has had a contract to feed the U.S. military and their families for more than 50 years.

The company, along with other military commissary suppliers in late 2011, committed to hiring more veterans and military spouses over the next two years. Since that time, Tyson Foods has hired more than 1,600 veterans.

The company also recently established a special “Camo’ to Khakis” human resources team to increase the hiring of veterans and their spouses. (Many Tyson team members wear khaki uniforms.) This effort has included increased involvement in military job fairs and the addition of a military hiring section to the company’s corporate website.

More than 30 soldiers were taken on a poultry plant tour and also visited the corporate headquarters where they met with the company’s senior leadership. In addition, each candidate was interviewed for open management positions in the areas of operations, sales and marketing, purchasing, and transportation. Video of the event can be seen here.

“We hope to extend job offers to many of these men and women because they possess specialized and leadership skills, and they know how to perform under pressure,” O’Leary said. “These men and women represent the very best our country has to offer.”

Tyson provides differential pay for all employees called to active military duty, making up the difference between military compensation and pay they normally receive from Tyson. Since Sept. 11, 2001, Tyson has provided $2.2 million in differential pay to more than 400 employees.

“Military men and women put on the uniform of their respective service, raise their right hand, and willingly commit to defending our country,” said Melissa Lee, Tyson corporate counsel and current U.S. Army Reservist. “When these same individuals put on a Tyson khaki uniform, they are making another commitment — to contribute to and protect our nation’s protein supply. It’s an easy and honorable mission shift.”