Hatchery Associate I

Aviagen; Pikeville (TN); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid holidays

PTO 14 days/year (prorated)

401(k) with company match

Training and career development

Job summary

Aviagen is seeking a Hatchery Associate to support daily poultry hatchery operations in a clean, safe, and efficient production environment. You will handle eggs, chicks, equipment, and shipping materials while upholding welfare, biosecurity, and quality standards.

We value reliability, teamwork, and the ability to perform repetitive tasks in a fast-paced setting. Flexibility for weekends and holidays is required, with on-site duties at the Pikeville hatchery.

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred but not required.
• Agricultural, poultry, manufacturing, production, warehouse, or sanitation experience preferred but not required.
• Ability to perform repetitive work with attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and as part of a team.
• Reliability, strong work ethic, and consistent attendance.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Reliable transportation to and from work.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation throughout the hatchery facility.
• Clean and sanitize hatchery equipment and conveyors.
• Transfer eggs from setter machines to hatchers as per procedures.
• Prepare newly hatched chicks for processing, sexing, vaccination, packaging, and shipment.
• Handle day-old chicks humanely following SOPs and welfare guidelines.
• Assemble chick boxes and shipping materials for deliveries.
• Assist with hatch pull operations while maintaining chick quality standards.
• Monitor work areas for cleanliness, equipment function, and safety hazards.

Skills

Animal welfare

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

Prioritization

Workplace safety

Communication

Willingness to learn

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Agricultural/poultry experience (preferred)

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

• 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.