Gilt Developer Lead

Eichelberger Farms, Inc; Wayland (KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Kids for the Future is seeking a Gilt Developer to coordinate gilt development across multiple sow farms. You will monitor gilt growth, health, and reproductive readiness while maintaining accurate records and supporting management decisions.

The role requires traveling between EFI locations, including Missouri, and working early hours or variable schedules to match animal movements and production needs. Strong English communication and supervision abilities are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of swine production, gilt development, animal care, and reproductive practices.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Strong recordkeeping and follow-up skills.
• Basic computer and math skills.
• Must be able to communicate in English, including speaking, reading, and writing.
• Ability to train and coach employees on established procedures and standards.

Responsibilities

• Monitor gilt growth, health, body condition, reproductive readiness, and overall development.
• Evaluate and select gilts based on age, weight, growth, health, genetic traits, and readiness.
• Perform and support reproductive activities, including heat detection, semen handling, AI, pregnancy checks, and recordkeeping.
• Monitor feeding, vaccination, environmental conditions, and other factors affecting gilt development and welfare.
• Review records to identify trends, concerns, or follow-up needs.
• Provide care and adhere to safety, biosecurity, and welfare protocols.
• Visit multiple locations to evaluate development, site conditions, and readiness; document findings.
• Coordinate gilt flow and movement, health testing, and communicate needs with farm managers.

Skills

Swine production

Gilt development

Animal care

Recordkeeping

English communication

Travel readiness

Job description

• Location 408 North Way Dr,Wayland, IA, 52654-7300,United States
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree NONE
• Travel 50%
• Manage Others Yes

Primary Objective

The primary objective of the Gilt Developer is to coordinate EFI’s gilt development program and ensure commercial sow farms receive the appropriate number of healthy, properly developed, and reproductively ready replacement gilts. The Gilt Developer monitors gilt development, coordinates gilt flow between locations, maintains accurate records, supports reproductive management, and verifies that established standards are followed across GDU and sow-farm locations. This position works closely with farm managers, production leadership, and other support functions to identify needs, address concerns, and maintain consistent gilt-development practices. The Gilt Developer is expected to maintain a system-wide view of gilt needs and development while providing hands‑on support, training, follow‑up, and technical guidance as needed.

Job Requirements

• Valid U.S. driver's license with a good driving record

Knowledge/Skills/Ability

• Knowledge of swine production, gilt development, animal care, and reproductive practices.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Strong recordkeeping and follow‑up skills.
• Basic computer and math skills.
• Must be able to communicate in English, including speaking, reading, and writing.
• Ability to review production information and identify trends or concerns.
• Ability to train and coach employees on established procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with farm employees, farm managers, and production leadership.

Physical Aspects of the Job

• Work will include frequent lifting of approximately 5 lbs. up to 45 lbs. and occasional lifting of up to approximately 75 lbs.
• Requires frequent physical movement including bending, stretching, walking, squatting, pulling, pushing, lifting, and working extended periods on your feet.
• Must be able to work safely around and handle large animals.
• Must be able to enter livestock barns, pens, load‑out areas, and other production environments as required.
• Regular interaction with large animals.
• Exposure to normal livestock‑production conditions including loud sounds, odors, dust, wet surfaces, and temperature changes.
• Normal start time may be approximately 5:00 a.m.; earlier start times may be required for scheduled animal movements or seasonal needs.
• Regular travel between EFI locations is required.
• Flexibility to travel to Missouri locations is required.

Main Responsibilities

• Monitor gilt growth, health, body condition, reproductive readiness, and overall development to ensure animals meet established EFI standards and performance targets.
• Evaluate and select gilts based on age, weight, growth, health, genetic traits, and reproductive readiness.
• Perform and support reproductive activities, including heat detection, semen handling, artificial insemination, pregnancy checking, and related recordkeeping.
• Monitor feeding, nutrition, vaccination status, environmental conditions, and other factors affecting gilt development and animal well‑being.
• Review gilt development and reproductive records to identify trends, concerns, or areas requiring follow‑up.
• Monitor animals for illness, injury, poor development, or other concerns and ensure appropriate action is taken according to company and veterinary protocols.
• Provide animal care in accordance with EFI production, animal‑welfare, and health standards.
• Conduct regular visits to GDU and sow-farm locations to evaluate gilt development, site conditions, feeding, ventilation, vaccination compliance, sanitation, facility readiness, and adherence to established standards. Document findings and follow up on identified concerns.
• Coordinate gilt flow and movement between locations, including allocation of gilt groups, weekly movement schedules, required health and laboratory testing, and communication with farm managers regarding current and projected gilt needs.

Other Responsibilities

• Follow and reinforce company biosecurity, safety, animal‑welfare, sanitation, and disease‑prevention protocols across assigned locations.
• Maintain accurate records and tracking related to gilt inventory, laboratory testing, vaccinations, development, reproductive performance, and animal movements.
• Monitor facility readiness, including post‑wash cleaning, building setup, and preparation for incoming animals.
• Provide hands‑on training, coaching, and technical guidance to employees regarding gilt development, animal care, reproduction, feeding, biosecurity, sanitation, and recordkeeping.
• Observe animal‑care practices and communicate significant or recurring performance, compliance, or training concerns to the appropriate Farm Manager and Sow Production Manager.
• Communicate gilt shortages, excess inventory, health concerns, scheduling issues, or other conditions that may affect gilt availability or farm needs.
• Maintain regular and consistent attendance and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of swine production, gilt development, reproduction, and animal care practices.
• Ability to evaluate gilt growth, health, body condition, and reproductive readiness.
• Strong organizational, planning, communication, and follow‑up skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate production records and use basic computer systems.
• Ability to train and coach employees on established procedures and standards.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating with multiple farms, managers, and support teams.
• Ability to communicate in English, including speaking, reading, and writing.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly between EFI locations, including Missouri.
• Flexibility to work early mornings and variable schedules based on production and animal‑movement needs.
• Ability to safely work around large animals and perform the physical requirements of the position, including extended standing and walking and lifting up to approximately 75 lbs.
• Commitment to following company safety, biosecurity, animal‑welfare, and disease‑prevention protocols.

The Gilt Developer is responsible for coordinating EFI’s gilt development program and helping ensure commercial sow farms receive healthy, properly developed, and reproductively ready replacement gilts.

This multi‑site role combines hands‑on swine production knowledge with planning, monitoring, training, and coordination. Responsibilities include evaluating gilt development and reproductive readiness, coordinating gilt flow and animal movements, monitoring health and development standards, maintaining accurate records, conducting site visits, and working closely with farm managers and production leadership to address gilt needs and concerns.

The position requires regular travel between EFI locations, including Iowa and Missouri, and flexibility in scheduling based on animal movements and production needs.