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Gilt Development Unit Department Head

Gilt Development Unit Department Head


Description:
This key position is responsible of overseeing all the aspects associated with the gilt development unit (GDU) of the farm. The GDU Department Head will lead the employees within their unit and manage the daily tasks through training and instruction.
The ideal candidate will have a desire to work with pigs, a high level of dependability, solid work history. Also, the candidate must be willing to work cooperatively for the good of the farm, communicate directly, honestly, and respectfully in all interactions.  

Personnel Responsibilities:
·        Supporting Farm Manager, Company Owner’s and Management Company decisions and policies provided to all farm personnel
·        Collaborate with other departments concerning scheduling and organization of daily, weekly and monthly personnel activities
·        Supervise and perform production tasks required in the GDU
·        Assist in evaluating farm personnel
·        Provide training, instruction and constructive feedback to employees in the department

Production Responsibilities:
·        Set short and long-term goals for the Gilt development unit
·        Lead all aspects of the GDU
·        Daily care of animals in the GDU
·        Oversee and perform chores of the unit
o   Adequate environment, space, feed and water
o   Selection of gilts to be used as sow farm replacements
o   Tagging and/or tattooing of selected gilts
o   Daily heat induction of the desired lots of gilts
o   Sorting of heat dated gilts
o   Manage non-selects inventory
o   Monitoring feed usage and correct setting of feeders
o   Maintain unit cleanliness
·        Monitor the improvement of animal genetic indexes
·        Maintain the flow of gilts within the barn
·        Follow herd health and biosecurity protocols
o   Timely performed vaccination protocols
o   Timely performed sow and piglet treatment
o   Timely euthanasia of suffering animals and subsequent removal.
·        Ensure that farm personnel handle animals properly
 
Facility Responsibilities:
·        Address issues that may cause an unsafe working environment
·        Report break downs needing farm personnel or outside contractor assistance
·        Ensure that work area is kept picked up, clean, neat and orderly
 
 
Administrative Responsibilities:
·        Ensure sow cards are timely and accurately completed
·        Maintain and submit all records and ensure they are accurately completed and submitted in a timely manner
·        Collaborate with Farm Manager on flow projections
 
Other Responsibilities:
·        Be willing to respond to and adequately handle emergency alarm calls
·        Perform miscellaneous tasks as directed by Farm Manager
·        Be willing to acquire skills as needed to perform technological advancements

Physical Requirements: 
 ·        Standing, walking and ability to be on feet 8 to 10 hours per day
·        Frequent bending, reaching, squatting and kneeling
·        Frequent use of one or both hands/arms to grasp or pull
·        Frequent lifting of objects weighing 3-20 pounds
·        Occasional bending while pulling and/or lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or requiring up to 50 pounds of force to move
·        Occasional bending while pulling and/or lifting objects weighing up to 100 pounds or requiring up to 100 pounds of force to move with the assistance of another person as needed
·        Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
·        Must be able to print and/or write legibly
 
Qualifications:
Education: High school diploma or equivalent preferred but not required.
Experience: Two years previous livestock handling experience preferred but not required.
Other: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Display a high level of respect to team members and animals. Demonstrate an impeccable reliability/dependability standard. Must be able to work weekends
Must have reliable method of transportation to get to work.