Production Head of Department

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

The Head of Department (HOD) – Breeding/Farrowing/Herdsperson is responsible for ensuring team members carry out the daily activities of swine production while complying with the company standard operating procedures. This person is also responsible for increasing the production performance of the farm in his/her respective department.   Area of responsibility will include: increasing reproductive performance, maintaining farrowing targets, sow and piglet care and health maintenance, processing, nutrition and record keeping through the use of available technologies.  This person must work closely with the other HOD’s and the farm manager to ensure the overall success of the farm.   

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complies with company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS)  
• Assists in feeding & watering of animals on daily basis 
• Ensures proper, safe movement of sows and piglets from one production area to another
• Manages the supplies of the department and ensures there’s enough to perform daily duties efficiently 
• Maintains records and uses analysis to track performance of pigs
• Works with team members in maintaining organization in the working areas   
• Administers vaccinations to animals, and treats sick animals as necessary
• Charts feeding schedule to maintain appropriate sow condition
• Assists management in controlling ventilation at the farm including good air quality 
• By using analytical analysis, maintains the integrity of all production records kept on farms which helps select gilts that will deliver and nurse good quality pigs
• Complies with the manure management program established
• Schedules and conducts routine maintenance on farm equipment

• Complies with the practices and principals of biosecurity to safeguard the life and health of the swine herd   
• Ensures the welfare of all animals  
• Scrapes, sweeps, power washes and disinfects rooms following company protocol
• Assists other departments as necessary to ensure daily tasks are completed  
• Assists in other duties as assigned

Breeding

• Supervises the breeding and mating practices 
• Assists in gilt development to ensure gilts are lean and physically sound
• Conducts pregnancy checks on a daily basis
• Oversees the implementation of artificial insemination 
• Records daily breeding and animal movement and additions

• Conducts artificial insemination procedures on daily basis following company’s SOPs 

Farrowing

• Oversees the maintenance of the farrowing records and ensures accuracy 
• Oversees and monitors the birthing process of sows and ensures newborns are properly cared for 
• Oversees and assists in pig processing, administering iron, and tattooing 
• Repairs ruptures        

Herdsperson

• Ensures weaning of quality piglets 
• Supervises the loading of piglets to be transported
• Selects quality gilts to tag and enter into breeding herd.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Desire to work with pigs, willingness to learn and understand animal behavior, tolerate and willing to perform animal husbandry tasks on a routine basis
• Must be available to work 11 of 14 days in a pay cycle, including some weekends and holidays

EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agri-Science, Agri-Business, Agri-Engineering or related field required.
• 1-year leadership experience AND/OR at least 2 years’ experience in swine industry is preferred

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, squat and be on feet for up to 10 hours per day   
• Frequent bending, reaching, pulling, lifting – occasionally lifting and pulling up to 100 lbs. with assistance of another team member  

• Ability to lift up to50 lbs. 
• Ability to work in noise levels that may require hearing protection in some areas
• Ability to display a high level of respect to team members and animals
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing 
• Ability to give and follow directions