Farm Lead

Aviagen; Elkmont (AL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Aviagen in Alabama is seeking a Farm Lead to supervise a small group of farm employees and ensure daily duties are completed accurately and efficiently.

You will oversee egg collection, bird health monitoring, biosecurity, and routine barn activities, while maintaining cleanliness and safety standards. The role requires strong leadership, communication, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in poultry, livestock, agriculture, or farm environment preferred.
• Previous leadership or lead-worker experience preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with a small team while also working independently.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to recognize issues and know when to address independently or escalate to management.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate concerns clearly and promptly.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and company procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Dependable and responsible with ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to work in a poultry house environment with typical farm conditions.
• Physically demanding work including standing, walking, bending, lifting, repetitive tasks.
• Ability to work flexible schedules including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide day-to-day direction to a small group of farm employees.
• Work alongside employees to complete daily farm duties and ensure work is completed accurately and efficiently.
• Collect, handle, and properly care for eggs according to company standards and procedures.
• Monitor poultry and promptly report bird health, behavior, mortality, production, or welfare concerns.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the poultry house and surrounding areas.
• Assist with feeding, watering, ventilation, lighting, litter management, sanitation, and other barn activities.
• Monitor equipment and environmental conditions and report problems promptly.
• Identify issues and take action within guidelines; escalate when needed.
• Communicate with management about farm operations, employee concerns, bird health, production, and equipment issues.
• Ensure adherence to policies, safety, biosecurity, and welfare standards.
• Assist with training new and existing employees on procedures.
• Maintain accurate records and required paperwork.
• Help ensure farm meets company standards for cleanliness, biosecurity, egg quality, and productivity.
• Work independently with limited supervision and prioritize daily tasks.
• Support management with other farm duties and projects.

Skills

Poultry experience

Leadership experience

Team leadership

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Recordkeeping

Physical stamina

Job description

Job Description Summary

Job Description: Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and provide day-to-day direction to a small group of farm employees. Work alongside employees to complete daily farm duties and ensure work is completed accurately and efficiently. Collect, handle, and properly care for eggs according to company standards and procedures. Monitor poultry throughout the workday and promptly report concerns involving bird health, behavior, mortality, production, or welfare. Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and overall condition of the poultry house and surrounding work areas. Assist with feeding, watering, ventilation, lighting, litter management, sanitation, and other routine barn activities. Monitor equipment and environmental conditions and report mechanical or operational problems promptly. Identify problems or unusual conditions and take appropriate action within established guidelines. Communicate effectively with management regarding farm operations, employee concerns, bird health, production, equipment issues, and other matters requiring attention. Ensure employees follow company policies, safety procedures, biosecurity protocols, animal welfare standards, and farm-specific procedures. Assist with training new and existing employees on proper farm procedures and job responsibilities. Maintain accurate records and complete required paperwork or electronic documentation. Help ensure the farm meets company standards for cleanliness, biosecurity, egg quality, animal care, and overall productivity. Work independently and prioritize daily responsibilities with limited supervision. Support management with other farm-related duties and projects as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience working with poultry, livestock, agriculture, or in a farm environment preferred.
• Previous leadership or lead-worker experience preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with a small team while also working independently.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to recognize issues and know when to address a problem independently and when to elevate it to management.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate concerns clearly and promptly.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and company procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Dependable, responsible, and willing to take ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to work in a poultry house environment, including exposure to dust, feathers, manure, noise, varying temperatures, and other farm-related conditions.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including standing, walking, bending, lifting, and repetitive activities.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and varying schedules as farm operations require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with poultry genetics or breeder flocks.
• Experience with egg collection and handling.
• Experience monitoring poultry health and production.
• Previous experience leading employees in an agricultural, poultry, manufacturing, or similar environment.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn company recordkeeping systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and climb as required.
• Ability to lift and carry materials associated with daily farm operations.
• Ability to work in a poultry house environment for extended periods.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks associated with egg collection and farm maintenance.

Work Environment

This position is primarily performed inside a poultry house and farm environment. Employees may be exposed to dust, feathers, manure, noise, varying temperatures, cleaning chemicals, and other conditions associated with poultry production. Proper personal protective equipment and biosecurity procedures must be followed at all times.

Overall Objective

The Farm Lead is responsible for helping ensure the farm operates safely, efficiently, and according to company standards. This individual should be capable of working with minimal supervision, leading by example, identifying problems before they become larger issues, and communicating effectively with management when additional support is needed.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We play a leading role in feeding the world's future generations. We bring smart, passionate people together and watch amazing things happen! Working at Aviagen presents career opportunities that impact an industry. We encourage people to bring their experience and knowledge and help work on complex issues that will shape the future of the poultry industry. In an environment that promotes innovation and progressive approaches to problem solving, Aviagen is working today to be ready for what tomorrow may bring. Are you ready for the adventure?