Hatchery Manager

JOB OVERVIEW

Primarily responsible for planning, developing and implementing policies and practices for operation of hatchery, ensuring attainment of goals and profitable operation. Direct strategic operational plans in hatching eggs and chick production. Responsible for compliance with all company policies, and government policies, laws and regulations.

THE PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Someone who is passionate, self-motivated and incentivized by the opportunity of being the master of their own destiny with the ability to produce meaningful results. We are looking for candidates that are able to deliver a consistent output that requires more management support and guidance than micro-management in order to meet their key performance indicators. You must be well groomed, well-mannered and speak clearly and professionally. Reliability, honesty and ethical values are absolutely necessary and non-negotiable.

You must be self-driven, highly motivated and display a high level of confidence. Must have the following people skills:

• Communication
• Strong Customer Relationships
• Service driven
• Team player

Specific Technical, Personality or Job Skills

• Integrity and honesty
• Be physically fit
• Be a team player
• Work well with your hands
• Be comfortable handling animals
• Be attentive to detail
• Be self-driven & take initiative
• Be good with numbers
• Be comfortable operating machinery and equipment
• Ability to work independently and multi-task
• Must demonstrate commitment and ability to work under pressure
• Very meticulous and rigorous

Pre-requisites Skills & Qualifications

• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills (English, French).
• A certificate/degree in Agriculture (Animal Production) is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years’ progressive hatchery experience or combination of hatchery and relative poultry industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ supervisor/management experience within similar environment.
• Extensive maintenance knowledge (e.g. electrical, mechanical, PLC operations, heating and cooling, hydraulics, etc.).
• Must possess the ability to work in a highly dynamic environment, under time constrains, and to a very high standard of accuracy.
• High sense of organization and structure.
• Efficient on time management.
• Your working hours will be irregular dependent on production requirements. Average of 84 hours per week is required. Must be available & reachable at all times.
• Adept team-builder with experience in managing and motivating employees
• Demonstrated effective leadership with ability to delegate tasks to subordinates in fair manner.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Proven problem solving and change management ability
• Must possess valid Driver’s License.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• Direct the Hatchery to produce the highest quality chicks at the highest percentage hatch rate possible for the lowest cost.
• Prepares monthly reports and graphs on hatchery performance.
• Reports egg fertility and hatching residue results, as needed.
• Ensure compliance with Company and government OSH guidelines.
• Ensures completion of all quality assurance checks for the following: chick quality, vaccination checks, equipment checks, and maintenance work.
• Consult with company veterinarian before making changes.
• Prepares employee schedules, approves vacation requests, and hires new employees as needed in consultation with senior management.
• Manage hatchery activities: egg pick-up and deliveries, care, incubation and hatching, grading, vaccination, and preparation and shipping of chicks.
• Manage and coordinate, through supervisor personnel, maintenance of facility and equipment.
• Manage chick care, maintenance, packing and transfer activities.
• Develops and oversees Quality Assurance/Quality Control program.
• Communicate and coordinate with contract service providers where applicable.
• Monitor and manage facility equipment and repairs, addressing maintenance issues.
• Maintain hatchery sanitation/bio-security.
• Establish and manage safety policies and procedures (SOP).
• Performing egg break-out analysis.
• Monitoring incubation machines.
• Handling, loading, unloading and transporting chicks.
• Sexing chickens, separating the males form the females.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and information regarding hatchery equipment and operations.
• Manage reports, review and analyze, performing corrective measures.
• Comply with safety and corporate guidelines on business ethics.
• Comply with all company policies, animal welfare guidelines, and government laws, and regulations.
• Develop and implement policies and practices for operation of hatchery to ensure attainment of goals and profitable operation.
• Plan hatching schedules for variety of chicks considering such factors as customer orders, hatchery facilities and equipment.
• Maintain/create and interpret hatchery records on biological performance, costs, bio-security
• Hiring, training, evaluation and discipline of hatchery staff.
• Arrange for purchase of equipment and supplies by supplying purchase requests to senior management for approval.
• Produce reports on hatchery activities such as chick production and reports required by regulatory bodies.
• Plans production, spending, and capital improvement projects for senior management approval.
• Prepares yearly budget for the hatchery for senior management approval.
• Controls cost in labor, repairs, supplies, and vaccines.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS 

• Advanced poultry science knowledge.
• Advanced interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and motivate people.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of math functions and skills.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of financial terms and reporting.
• Practical computer skills with solid knowledge of MS Office programs.
• Advanced organizational skills, with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated sound work ethic, honesty and moral character.

REQUIRED PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

• Understand and interpret data while drawing logical conclusions based on available inputs.
• Critical thinking skills in standardized situations as well as non-routine problems.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and prioritize work accordingly.
• Basic reasoning skills and carries out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagram form.