Hatchery Associate I

Aviagen; Pikeville (TN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

PTO 14 days annually

401(k) retirement savings plan with 2%

Job summary

Aviagen is seeking a Hatchery Associate in the United States for daily hatchery operations including egg transfer, chick handling, sanitation, and equipment cleaning. The role emphasizes animal welfare, biosecurity, safety, and quality in a fast-paced poultry environment.

You will assist with hatchery tasks, prepare shipments to customer farms, and participate in routine maintenance while maintaining accurate production records and adhering to company SOPs.

Qualifications

• Must be detail-oriented and able to perform repetitive tasks accurately.
• Able to work in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation throughout the hatchery facility in accordance with company standards.
• Transfer eggs from setter machines to hatchers as per procedures.
• Prepare newly hatched chicks for processing, packaging, and shipment to customer farms.
• Handle day-old chicks carefully and humanely following SOPs and welfare guidelines.
• Assist with hatch pull operations while maintaining chick quality.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Reliability

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Hatchery Associate is responsible for supporting the daily operations of a poultry hatchery by ensuring a clean, safe, and efficient production environment while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, biosecurity, safety, and quality. This position performs a variety of production and sanitation duties, including egg transfer, hatch preparation, chick handling, equipment cleaning, and facility maintenance. The successful candidate must be dependable, safety-conscious, and capable of working in a fast-paced agricultural environment.

Job Description

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation throughout the hatchery facility in accordance with company sanitation, biosecurity, and food safety standards.
• Clean and sanitize hatchery equipment, including setters, hatchers, conveyors, work tables, trays, floors, walls, ceilings, and other production equipment.
• Transfer eggs from setter machines to hatchers following established operating procedures and production schedules.
• Prepare newly hatched chicks for processing, sexing, vaccination (where applicable), packaging, and shipment to customer farms.
• Handle day-old chicks carefully and humanely in accordance with animal welfare standards, company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and applicable industry guidelines.
• Assemble chick boxes and prepare shipping materials for customer deliveries.
• Assist with hatch pull operations while ensuring chick quality standards are maintained.
• Monitor work areas for cleanliness, equipment functionality, and potential safety hazards, reporting concerns promptly to supervision.
• Follow all company policies regarding biosecurity, personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental health and safety, and quality assurance.
• Maintain accurate production records and complete required documentation as assigned.
• Support inventory management by maintaining adequate supplies of production materials and notifying supervisors of shortages.
• Participate in routine preventive cleaning and maintenance activities.
• Assist with facility housekeeping to ensure production areas remain organized and free of debris.
• Work collaboratively with team members to meet daily production schedules and operational goals.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred but not required.
• Previous agricultural, poultry, manufacturing, production, warehouse, or sanitation experience is preferred but not required.
• Ability to perform repetitive work while maintaining attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated reliability, strong work ethic, and consistent attendance.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Must possess reliable transportation to and from work.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays, based on business needs.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Commitment to animal welfare and humane handling practices.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain quality standards.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet production deadlines.
• Basic understanding of workplace safety practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Willingness to learn company procedures and participate in ongoing training.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Frequently stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Frequently bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, and reach.
• Regularly lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements, including gripping, grasping, and twisting.
• Work with approved cleaning chemicals, detergents, and disinfectants while using required PPE.
• Work in environments that may be wet, damp, dusty, noisy, and have agricultural odors.
• Regularly interact with live poultry and hatchery materials.
• Work in varying temperature conditions, including both warm and cool environments.
• Routinely work up to six (6) days per week, including weekends and holidays, as production demands require.

Benefits

Aviagen provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees. Eligible employees may participate in medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Teladoc, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents.

In addition, employees are eligible for:

• Company-paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO) beginning at 14 days annually, prorated based on hire date
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match (where eligible)
• Training and career development opportunities

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with Aviagen.