Manager of Gilt Development

Schwartz Farms, Inc.•Sleepy Eye, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager of Gilt Development is responsible for the execution of SFI gilt breeding stock production management protocols. The Manager of Gilt Development will oversee supportive staff and all gilt-related functions to ensure adequate, timely and efficient supply of gilts from all gilt developer units (GDUs) into destination sow farms. Effective communication and collaboration with multiplication suppliers, transportation firms, sow production leadership and Unit Managers is critical for success. Travel required in central Minnesota and various locations in South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Requirements

Ability to prioritize and plan work activities to use time efficiently.
Strong understanding of the company's production system, gilt flow & sow farm flow experience.
Proficiency in the use of the use of Microsoft Office, including excel spreadsheets.
Excellent communication, judgment and decision-making skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism; able to represent Schwartz Farms in a positive manner.
Acceptable MVR.
Previous experience as a sow farm manager or assistant manager, gilt development specialist, breeding department lead (2+ years), or wean-finish supervisor with sow farm experience.

Responsibilities

Cultivate a positive relationship with gilt development support staff, contract growers and multiplication farms to ensuring strong communication, trust, and work cohesiveness.
Make and coordinate visits of team member(s) to GDUs to fulfill responsibilities.
Schedule and coordinate all gilt movements with multiplier and designation farm(s).
Weekly communicate with logistics manager to plan and schedule all gilt and cull gilt movements out of GDU, ensuring adherence to biosecurity in sequence of movements throughout the week.
Consult with and train staff and contract growers to ensure spot treating, daily observation, feeder adjustments and pig sorting.
Coordinate and communicate with sow units, GDU staff and contract growers on arrival of animals, vaccinations, medication protocols, shipping dates and times.
Support Director of Farrowing Production and Unit Managers to troubleshoot problems as they arise in onsite GDUs to include: Optimization of ventilation, Elevated death loss, Ear necrosis, Enteric diseases & scours.
Approve gilt purchase and trucking invoices.
Coordinate CVI visits to GDUs to ensure compliance of interstate gilt movements.
Generate and disseminate weekly gilt death loss report by lot by sow farm and GDU.
Attend weekly wean to finish and sow production and health calls/meetings.
Communicate gilt health status by flow and offer insight.
Ensure compliance of sound vaccination procedures.
Ensure optimization of gilt health, growth rates & isolation facilities via the following: Work with stakeholders to establish and monitor gilt needs, including timely scheduling and selection of gilts, new replacements, culls and cull criteria, transportation needs, testing protocols, etc.
Annually review gilt vaccination schedules with herd veterinarians and Director of Farrowing Production; report any changes to health logistics coordinator so they can be recorded and monitored.
Execute, train, and ensure all vaccinations are administered per SFI vaccination protocols.
Communicate with feed department to ensure feed protocols and levels are maintained.
Ensure optimal temperature, air quality, feed and water availability.
Maintain efficient use of buildings for maximum throughput.
Monitor upkeep of GDU & GDU equipment, including but not limited to feeders, waterers, ventilation systems, general site appearance, cleanliness and rodent control.
Ensure proper operation of alarm systems, emergency curtain drops, back up thermostats, standby generators, and any other emergency back up systems; observe & document adequate functionality of such systems monthly.
Work with contract growers to ensure SFI-approved emergency backup systems are in place and operational by observing & documenting adequate functionality of such systems monthly.
Work with management and development to find additional sites as needed for gilt development and special projects.
Provide support to all SFI company GDU facilities including NE and Flint Hills systems, as required.
Work with veterinarians and sow farm supervisors to establish disease eradication timelines, procedures and gilt flow including: Communicate gilt schedule changes with gilt suppliers, sow supervisors and regional farrowing managers.
Inoculation of gilts per veterinary recommendation.
Medication and vaccine program.
Monitor, train and establish biosecurity protocols for GDU staff and contract growers including but not limited to the following: Gilt movements from the vendor, Gilt movements between GDUs, Gilt movements between GDUs and sow units, Gilt movements between GDUs and cull markets.
Ensure cleanliness of trailers and tow vehicles inside and out.
Ensure proper wash down and sanitation of facilities.
Ensure proper biosecurity of personnel entering GDU facilities.
Report any escalated biosecurity issues to Unit Managers and Farrowing operations management.
Ensure visitor log compliance.
Ensure sites are power washed properly to meet SFI standards between fills.
On a weekly basis or as needed, schedule and organize the deployment of staff in adequate numbers to ensure production and site standards are met.
Ensure PQA standards on timely euthanasia are met in GDUs.
Report issues to Director of Farrowing Production should they arise.
Monitor and maintain staffing levels to ensure all company standards are met; communicate labor needs with human resources as they arise and be involved in the hiring process.
Ensure new hires are oriented and trained in a timely manner.
Instruct, train, communicate, discipline and follow up with employees to ensure production, safety, biosecurity and property standards are met.
Conduct all performance & salary reviews per SFI policies, forward related documentation & communicate results to human resources.
Document as required by company policies any employee work-related issues.
Recognize and reward employees as needed on a regular basis to build loyalty, moral and minimize turnover.
Ensure truckers adhere to SFI protocols to maximize biosecurity and minimize pig stress and loss.
Maintain open communication with employees, other supervisors and veterinarian staff to promote ideas and concerns.
Ensure adherence to all privacy policies and procedures established by SFI.
Ensure proper recordkeeping, including timely inventory and delivery transactions; forward reports for processing in a timely manner.
Disseminate weekly gilt death loss in the system.
Track, monitor, disseminate gilt retention data by sow flow and share with supervisor and managers.
Ensure all contract GDU sites maintain PQA compliant records.
Promote Schwartz Farms' culture, including values of humility, care, integrity, discipline, and excellence.
Maintain open communication with contract growers, sow unit staff, other SFI representatives and veterinarian services to promote ideas and address concerns.
Report & document escalated issues or enforcement issues that require action to Director of Farrowing Production, regional farrowing managers and COO.
Maintain PQA certification.
Advocate and engage in SFI's animal welfare policy, including promoting animal well-being, remedying circumstances which impede animal care, and properly reporting instances of mistreatment or abuse.
Represent Schwartz Farms in a positive and professional manner, including appearance of self and company vehicle.
Be capable of lifting a minimum of 50 pounds with reasonable accommodation.
Ensure adequate monitoring of pit pumping operations and the preparation of facilities to protect human safety & minimize death loss while pumping operations are conducted.
Notify company management and all appropriate regulatory agencies as required in the event of emergency manure discharges or spills.
Additional duties may be assigned as they arise.