BREED-GESTATION LEAD|SUNSET SOW FARM| CLINTON,IL

Full-time exempt leadership role overseeing the breeding and/or farrowing department within a swine production unit. Reports to the Farm Manager.

About the role

Manage all functions of the department, including staff, to ensure the successful operation of the unit. This position requires active participation in safety programs, adherence to standard operating procedures, and the ability to work scheduled hours, which may include nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead and enforce the safety program, including policy adherence and ongoing training.
• Perform duties as outlined in the Standard Operating Procedure (S.O.P) in a timely manner.
• Maintain strong working relationships with all co-workers and report faulty equipment to supervisors.
• Meet company expectations for attendance and punctuality.
• Follow all rules from the employee handbook and supervisor directives.
• Attend mandatory meetings and training sessions.
• Demonstrate and uphold AI (Artificial Insemination) protocols and procedures.
• Achieve conception rate goals for wean sows or gilts as set by the location.
• Perform proper techniques for sow monitoring in farrowing, day 0-3 pig care, sorting, fostering, manure feedback, and prostaglandin use.
• Ensure time efficiencies in all tasks and assist in maintaining inventories of medications and supplies.
• Responsibly handle and store semen, and demonstrate knowledge of pregnancy diagnostics.
• Understand and work toward unit targets and objectives.
• Perform equipment, facilities, and grounds maintenance, as well as manure handling.
• Demonstrate correct animal handling techniques at all times.
• Identify, treat, and vaccinate sick or lame animals following health assessment guidelines.
• Adhere to all Bio-Security Requirements for the unit.
• Complete PQA+ (Pork Quality Assurance Training).
• Ensure compliance with all animal welfare procedures outlined by TriOak.
• Lead the team in the absence of the sow farm manager.
• Assign schedules for power washing and assist with loading pigs and sows.
• Train animals for electronic feeding systems and demonstrate correct feeding procedures.
• Be accountable for production results and key performance indicators.
• Maintain accurate and concise records for database systems, including pig counts (total born and born alive).
• Perform day 1 through 3 management, semen handling and storage, and heat checking.
• Provide supervisory role training and manage employees.
• Assist with sow conditioning under direct supervision.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Success Factors

• Project leadership qualities to promote corporate philosophy.
• Problem-solving skills with a systematic approach to decision-making.
• Ability to establish and execute specific courses of action for self and teams.
• High level of self-motivation to complete tasks.
• Work effectively within and lead a team environment.
• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment.
• Demonstrate honesty, trustworthiness, dependability, and caring.
• Take pride in work well done and respect others.
• Strong work ethic.

Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in swine management.
• Proven ability to manage inventory and throughput efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to manage people.
• Physical ability to lift and move 50 lbs up to 100 yards.
• Push and/or pull a minimum of 500 lbs in a cart with wheels when required.
• Ability to squat to the floor, grip small objects, and twist at least 45 degrees.
• Capable of repeated motions.
• Responsive to visible signs of animal discomfort and verbal alarms.
• Understand, retain, and perform oral and written instructions in English.
• Able to communicate orally and in writing with other employees and company contacts.
• Ability to move, load, and unload animals up to 750 pounds.
• Ability to walk, stand, and squat for long periods on surfaces including concrete and slats.
• Ability to climb in and out of crates and over obstacles.
• Climb different types of ladders, including feed bin ladders.
• Maintain balance on all surfaces.
• Must not own or live near any swine.
• Must not live with anyone who has contact with swine.

Working Conditions

• During summer months, outside temperatures can exceed 100°F for the entire scheduled workday.
• During winter months, outside temperatures can drop below 0°F for the entire scheduled workday.
• Roads in and around farms can become extremely muddy and difficult to navigate after heavy rains.
• Exposure to loud noise inside or outside barns during various job duties.
• Daily exposure to odors, dust, and gases that may be uncomfortable or hazardous if proper procedures are not followed.
• Exposure to electrical boxes and machinery; repairs must only be performed by certified personnel.
• Daily exposure to procedures that may involve contact with hazardous materials.

Qualifications

Preferred: Bilingual (Spanish).

Benefits

• Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment.
• Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company-observed holidays.
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule.