Lead- Trailer Washer

Position Summary

The Trailer Washing Lead is responsible for overseeing the daily wash bay operations for all swine transportation equipment while ensuring trucks and trailers are cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected according to company biosecurity, animal health, and sanitation standards.

This position serves as the lead employee for the wash facility and is responsible for coordinating daily washing activities, training employees, monitoring inventory, maintaining facility cleanliness, and ensuring preventative maintenance (PMs) and work orders are properly submitted, tracked, and completed. The Trailer Washing Lead plays a critical role in supporting transportation operations through equipment readiness, facility maintenance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Safety

• Promote and maintain a culture of safety within the wash facility.
• Ensure all employees wear required PPE and follow established safety procedures.
• Conduct routine inspections of wash equipment, pressure washers, chemical systems, hoses, pumps, and facility infrastructure.
• Identify, document, and report unsafe conditions and equipment deficiencies.
• Ensure Lockout/Tagout procedures are followed when applicable.
• Investigate and report accidents, injuries, near misses, and equipment damage.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas to minimize slip, trip, and fall hazards.
• Read, understand, and comply with all emergency response and notification procedures.

Quality

• Ensure all trucks and trailers are washed, sanitized, and disinfected according to company biosecurity standards.
• Verify trailers meet cleanliness standards before being released for transportation use.
• Monitor chemical concentrations and sanitation procedures to ensure effectiveness.
• Maintain strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease transmission and protect animal health.
• Complete and review wash logs, sanitation records, biosecurity inspections, and compliance documentation.
• Conduct quality inspections of completed work and provide coaching when standards are not met.
• Assist with implementation of continuous improvement initiatives related to sanitation and biosecurity.

Productivity

• Coordinate and prioritize daily washing schedules to meet transportation demands.
• Assign and monitor daily work responsibilities for wash bay employees.
• Ensure all trucks and trailers are washed and available according to operational schedules.
• Properly operate, maintain, clean, and store all washing and sanitation equipment.
• Monitor and maintain inventory levels of:
  • Wood chips
  • Cleaning chemicals
  • Disinfectants
  • PPE
  • Wash bay supplies
  • Maintenance supplies
• Notify management of inventory needs and assist with ordering and restocking.
• Assist with facility, grounds, and equipment maintenance as assigned.
• Support operational efficiency through proper labor utilization and resource management.

Work Orders and Preventive Maintenance (PM) Responsibilities

• Conduct daily inspections of wash bay equipment, facilities, and infrastructure.
• Identify maintenance issues and submit work orders promptly through the company maintenance management system.
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel to prioritize repairs affecting safety, biosecurity, or operational efficiency.
• Track open work orders to ensure timely completion.
• Verify completed repairs meet operational requirements before closing work orders.
• Develop and maintain Preventive Maintenance (PM) schedules for wash bay equipment and facility assets.
• Ensure PMs are completed on schedule and properly documented.
• Maintain records of equipment inspections, repairs, PM activities, and maintenance history.
• Communicate recurring equipment issues and improvement opportunities to management.
• Assist with equipment replacement planning and capital improvement recommendations.

Leadership and Teamwork

• Serve as the lead employee for the wash bay operation.
• Provide daily directions, training, and support to Trailer Washers and support staff.
• Train employees on:
  • Biosecurity procedures
  • Washing techniques
  • Chemical handling
  • Equipment operation
  • Safety procedures
  • Environmental compliance
• Hold employees accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and attendance expectations.
• Communicate effectively with transportation, swine, maintenance, and management personnel.
• Assist supervisors with employee development and performance feedback.
• Foster teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement throughout the department.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changing operational needs.

Attendance and Reliability

• Maintain regular and dependable attendance.
• Report to work on time and prepared to perform assigned duties.
• Demonstrate willingness to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and varying schedules as operational needs require.
• Serve as a dependable resource for transportation and wash bay operations.
• Respond appropriately to urgent operational and maintenance needs.

Environmental Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all environmental regulations, permits, and company environmental policies.
• Properly handle, store, and dispose of chemicals and waste materials.
• Monitor wash bay operations for environmental compliance.
• Immediately report spills, leaks, or environmental concerns.
• Maintain environmental compliance records and documentation as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock transportation, trailer washing, sanitation, agriculture, or related experience preferred.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude with experience identifying equipment repair needs.
• Experience with work order systems and preventive maintenance programs preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong commitment to biosecurity, safety, and quality standards.

Physical Requirements

• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Frequently bend, squat, kneel, twist, climb, and reach.
• Repeatedly enter and exit livestock trailers.
• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Work in wet, humid, hot, cold, and outdoor conditions.
• Wear required PPE throughout work shifts.

Work Environment

Employees work in a transportation wash facility and outdoor environment. Exposure may include wet conditions, temperature extremes, humidity, chemicals, moving mechanical parts, vehicle traffic, and airborne particles. Noise levels are generally moderate but may occasionally be high due to equipment operation.

This position requires strong leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of biosecurity, equipment readiness, and operational excellence.

The position requires working in wet environments while bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, climbing, lifting, and performing physically demanding tasks throughout the workday.