Lead Farrowing Technician

Passel farms; Murray (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Passel Farms, LLC. in Murray, IA, seeks an experienced Unit Manager for the farrowing department to oversee daily operations, train staff, schedule tasks, monitor animal health and environment, and coordinate with the Unit Manager in their absence.

The role requires at least 2 years in swine production, strong leadership, and adherence to biosecurity and safety policies. You will manage budgets, prepare sow cards, and ensure accurate paperwork and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years in swine production.
• Ability to work with diverse personalities to build a successful team.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and handle live animals.

Responsibilities

• Training and daily follow-up of farrowing staff to follow all Production SOPs.
• Training farrowing employees in animal husbandry skills to maximize production and reduce stress.
• Scheduling and prioritization of daily and weekly tasks.
• Communicate with Unit Manager on production, animal health, and staff issues.
• Maintain ventilation and room environment; monitor conditions.
• Accurately complete sow and wean paperwork and load culls.
• Assist in training and orientation of new employees.
• Lead weekend crew and cover Unit Manager absence.
• Adhere to Bio-Security Policy and ensure safety rules are followed.

Skills

Staff training

Scheduling

Communication

Data entry

Budget management

Education

2+ years swine production experience

Job description

Position Summary:

Responsible for daily management of the farrowing department through implementation of established production procedures as well as fulfilling Unit Manager responsibilities in their absence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Training and daily follow-up of farrowing staff to follow all Production SOP’s.


• Training farrowing employees in proper animal husbandry skills to reduce stress of herd and to maximize production.


• Scheduling and prioritization of daily and weekly tasks and completion of task sheets.


• Provides daily communication with Unit Manager on production, animal health, and farrowing personnel issues.


• Power washing and routine maintenance of system.


• Organize pig flow.


• Accurate and timely completion of farrowing and wean paperwork.


• Monitors and maintains appropriate ventilation and room environment.


• Responsible for data entry and correction of clerical errors.


• Communicate non-routine repairs to Unit Manager.


• Assist in the training and orientation of new employees.


• Perform routine feeder adjustments.


• Accurately place feed orders to avoid running short or spoiled feed.


• Able to identify animals for treatment or euthanasia.


• Select and load culls and process paperwork accurately.


• Participates in answering alarm calls and emergency needs at the unit.


• Leads weekend crew and during the absence of the Unit Manager.


• Accurately make the sow cards for weaning, health, etc.


• Effectively manage budget hours of self supervised staff.


• Maintains PQA+ certification.


• Completes safety training timely.


• Follows all Animal Welfare policies and practices and informs management of any violations by staff.


• Follows bio-security measures according to Bio-Security Policy, including movement of animals, visitor access, sanitation, and disease prevention measures.


• Follows all safety rules and practices and ensures others do the same.


• Supports, promotes, and adheres to policies, procedures, and values of Passel Farms and industry standards.


• Regular, punctual and consistent attendance is essential for this position.


• Other duties as may be assigned to fulfill responsibilities of this position and support team goals.

Requirements

Qualification: 2 plus years in swine production. Must be able to work with a variety of personalities to make a successful team.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment; reach with hands and the employee must regularly be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. There is frequent bending, squatting, stopping and kneeling. Must be able to climb ladder. Occasionally need to lift/pull 50 pounds to 100 pounds of force to move an object with or without the assistance of another person. Must be able to move and work with live animals of various sizes.

Working Environment: The work is performed almost exclusively in hog facilities that require strict compliance with all company biosecurity protocols, including shower-in/shower-out procedures, the use of required personal protective equipment (PPE), and direct interaction with live animals and production personnel. The role requires regular presence in farrowing barns. Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours with alternating weekends and holidays. There will be some variation in work hours due to animal care and health, weather, employee schedules, and other concerns.