Sanderson Farms, the third largest poultry producer in the United States, has been named one of America’s Best Employers by Forbes magazine. The 2019 America’s Best Employers list ranks the top 500 employers in the U.S. across 25 different industries and markets.
“It is because of the overwhelming support of our employees that we received this honor,” said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Sanderson Farms. “We owe the success of this company to the leaders, employees and communities that have worked to build it over the years.”
To assemble the list, Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to conduct an independent and anonymous online survey of 50,000 Americans working at companies with more than 1,000 employees. The respondents were asked to rate, on a scale of zero to 10, how likely the would be to recommend their employer to friends and family. Statista then asked respondents to nominate organizations in industries outside their own. The final list ranks the 500 large and 500 midsize employers that received the most recommendations.
This is the first time Sanderson Farms has been recognized by Forbes since it began ranking America’s Best Employers in 2015. This is also the first time that a poultry company has made the list.
“It takes a team of dedicated people from diverse disciplines to bring our products to custumers’ tables, and we would not be where we are today without their unwavering support,” said Lampkin Butts, Chief Operating Officer and President of Sanderson Farms. “Our employees are our greatest assets. This is reflected in our commitment to employee safety, the wages we pay, the wellness and health care program we offer, and our 401(K) and retirement benefits.”
Sanderson Farms employs more than 15,000 people from a wide variety of backgrounds and skill sets in its operations across five states and 17 cities. In 2018, Sanderson Farms invested more than $4.9 million in employee training and development, and an additional $21.5 million in its Leadership Training Program.
Sanderson Farms provides two formal mentoring programs, paid personal and professional development and continuing education reimbursement. More than 33 percent of Sanderson Farms’ employees have been employed with the company more than five years and more than 18 percent for more than 10 years. More than 87 percent of its current employees are minorities and more than 46 percent are female. Additionally, of its minority workforce, more than 56 percent sit on management teams.
Sanderson Farms has routinely been recognized for its philanthropic efforts, since 2011, the company has donated more than $10.6 million to various charities and $3.6 million in disaster relief. These numbers do not include the more than $8.1 million it has donated from the Sanderson Farms Championship, its premier PGA Tour golf tournament for which it became the title sponsor in 2013 and has committed 100 percent of the proceeds to various charities.
