Hatchery Production Associate

Perdue Farms, Inc.; Salisbury (MD); On-site; USD 19,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Match

Critical Illness

Accident Insurance

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability (short/long)

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Perdue Farms, Inc. in Salisbury, MD is hiring a Hatchery Production Associate at Hatchery #3. You will help maintain incubation, hatching, and chick care, ensuring high-quality outputs and strict adherence to SOPs.

The role requires you to handle large egg and chick volumes, operate equipment, and work Monday–Friday from 4:00am until processing is complete, with potential pay premiums and overtime. Perdue offers comprehensive benefits and a competitive base rate of $16.95 per hour.

Qualifications

• High school or equivalent.
• Reading and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Receive, set, and transfer approximately 991,440 eggs per week, maximizing hatchability.
• Clean and sanitize the hatchery including equipment to reduce mold and bacteria.
• Operate tray wash and separator machines to maximize throughput with minimal damage.
• Transport and process approximately 250,000 chicks daily with quality control.
• Follow management instructions and SOPs while supporting team morale.

Skills

High school or equivalent

Reading

Writing

Education

High school or equivalent

Job description

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

As a Hatchery Production Associate, you play a key role in creating the optimal environment where healthy, high-quality chicks begin their journey. This hands-on position supports a variety of essential hatchery activities that ensure proper incubation, hatching, and care, all while maintaining precise environmental conditions. Your work directly contributes to delivering a superior product to Perdue Farms growers and helps to uphold the high standards of quality, care, and excellence that define our operations.

This position is located at Hatchery # 3

This position has a base rate of $16.95 per hour, with opportunities for pay premiums, shift differentials and overtime where applicable. Annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).

In addition to hourly wages, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 4:00am-untill processing complete

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Correctly receive, set, and transfer approximately 991,440 eggs per week, ensuring minimum damage while maximizing hatchability.
• Thoroughly clean and sanitize entire hatchery, which may include 68 hatchers and setters, 37 evaporative coolers, 14 heaters and associated duct work, reducing to the greatest extent possible the presence of mold and bacteria.
• Properly and efficiently operate tray wash and/or separator machines, ensuring maximum throughput with minimum product damage.
• Safely transport and process approximately 250,000 chicks daily, ensuring accurate chick distribution and proper chick quality control.
• Perform all duties as requested by management in a timely and efficient manner, in accordance with hatchery and company standard operating procedures, while fostering team spirit and morale.

Preferred Education and Experience

• High school or equivalent.
• Reading and writing skills.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Moving in an upright position and working on wet, dry, and often slippery concrete floors for up to 4 hours in a single interval.
• Must be able to lift overhead and control 35 lbs to a height of approximately 84 inches.
• Exposure to temperatures from <32° to 101.25° with both ambient and 100% humidity.
• Extended exposure to temperatures from 99° to 101° with 82% humidity for periods up to 2 hours in a single interval.
• Exposure to noise ranges of <50db to >110db and light intensity range of <50-to-75–100-foot candles.
• Bending, twisting, and lifting, while grasping containers weighing up to 35 lbs, at intervals up to 10 times per minute, at maximum forward angles of 30-60°. Squatting, lifting and carrying weights of up to 35 lbs while walking distances of 10 – 20 feet.
• Exposure to chlorinated water <50ppm, caustic detergents, lubricating oils, poultry vaccines, and other chemicals as listed in hatchery MSDS.
• Must wear and/or use personal protective equipment/devices in accordance with SOPs and company directives.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.