Senior Husbandry Operative (Freshwater & Hatchery)

Promatchconsultancy; Montrose; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation (part-subsidised)

Annual bonus scheme

30 days annual leave

On-call payments

Job summary

Promatchconsultancy is seeking an experienced aquaculture professional for a Senior Husbandry Operative role in North West Sutherland, focusing on freshwater and hatchery operations. You will support the Hatchery Manager, coordinate daily workloads, train colleagues and uphold fish welfare and site standards.

There is potential to progress to Assistant Manager level or develop into the role over time, with additional responsibilities and on-call duties as part of the package.

Qualifications

• Experience within hatchery, freshwater or seawater aquaculture production environments.
• Strong understanding of fish welfare and husbandry practices.
• Ability to support, motivate and develop team members.
• Good organisational skills and a proactive approach.

Responsibilities

• Feeding, grading, moving and vaccinating stock across hatchery and freshwater sites.
• Monitoring fish health, welfare and environmental conditions.
• Maintaining accurate records and site hygiene standards.
• Coordinating daily workloads alongside the Hatchery Manager.
• Supporting, mentoring and training colleagues.
• Ensuring health, safety and environmental standards are met.
• Participating in on-call and rotational duties.
• Assisting with stock transfers and production activities throughout the freshwater cycle.

Skills

Hatchery experience

Fish welfare

Team development

Organisational skills

Driving licence

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced aquaculture professional to join a leading, independent Scottish salmon producer in North West Sutherland as a Senior Husbandry Operative (Freshwater & Hatchery). Working closely with the Hatchery Manager, you'll play a key role across both hatchery and freshwater production operations, supporting the successful rearing of salmon through the early stages of the production cycle. You'll help coordinate daily workloads, support and train team members, and ensure the highest standards of fish welfare, husbandry and site performance. For the right person, there is scope to join at Assistant Manager level or develop into the role over time.

Key Responsibilities

• Feeding, grading, moving and vaccinating stock across hatchery and freshwater sites
• Monitoring fish health, welfare and environmental conditions
• Maintaining accurate records and site hygiene standards
• Coordinating daily workloads alongside the Hatchery Manager
• Supporting, mentoring and training colleagues
• Ensuring health, safety and environmental standards are met
• Participating in on-call and rotational duties
• Assisting with stock transfers and production activities throughout the freshwater cycle

What We're Looking For

• Experience within hatchery, freshwater or seawater aquaculture production environments
• Strong understanding of fish welfare and husbandry practices
• Ability to support, motivate and develop team members
• Good organisational skills and a proactive approach
• Full driving licence and own transport (essential)

Salary & Benefits

• Salary negotiable depending on experience
• Potential entry at Assistant Manager level for the right candidate
• Overtime rates of x1.5 Mon to Fri and x1.75 Sat and Sun
• On-call payments
• 30 days annual leave
• Annual bonus scheme
• Part-subsidised accommodation available
• Excellent long-term career prospects

This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to take on greater responsibility and progress into management while remaining hands-on within a successful and growing aquaculture business.

Please note: "Senior" relates to the responsibilities and experience associated with the position and is not linked to age. We encourage applications from all suitably skilled and experienced candidates.