Front End Specialist - Sow Country

Job Description
Objective: Execute Front End farrowing protocols to effectively assist sows and piglets prior to, through, and just after farrowing process to maximum production, efficiency and profitability. Train and oversee a small team of technicians to achieve the same objective as workload demands.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Animal Care

• Ensure all sows and piglets in this designated area have air, feed, and water as defined by Pipestone Snapshots and PQA Plus.
• Assist all sows and piglets to effectively eat/drink, farrow, and begin the lactation stage of production following the Pipestone Snapshots.
• Communicate performance issues outside your control to the Farrowing Lead and/or Site Manager.
• Provide specialized care to small or newborn piglets that may need additional care to survive in the early stages of life.

Environmental

• Identify and assess ventilation settings to help maximize productivity within each specific location
• Regularly monitor the environment to achieve optimum comfort for both the sows and piglets; macro and micro environments.
• Train Front End employees to provide regular input to maintain optimum comfort for animals

Safety

• Follow all safety procedures and guidelines
• Teach Front End employees safety procedures and monitor employee activity for compliance
• Learn accident prevention measures for Front End area, train employees and monitor employee activity for compliance

Biosecurity

• Adhere to all bio-security protocols, train Front End staff on bio-security and monitor employee activity for compliance
• Ensure Front End bio-security audit deficiencies are corrected and brought into compliance in a timely basis

Follow direction provided by Site Manager and Farrowing Team Lead to ensure overall farm performance and staffing goals are achieved.
Facility Care

• The facility must be maintained and well kept
• Train and direct Front End staff to complete routine maintenance on a daily basis
• Communicate non-routine repairs to farm management
• Train, direct and monitor staff to keep Front End area clean and organized

Documentation

• Complete area paperwork accurately and timely; train Front End employees in required production paperwork and monitor employee activity for accuracy
• Utilize task sheets and time frames to maintain an organized workday
• Work with farm management to ensure completion of all work related injury paperwork and participate as necessary in accident investigation

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Other duties and projects as assigned by farm management

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS
Education: High School Diploma or GED preferred
Experience: 6 months Farrowing experience preferred
Training: New Hire Curricula I II
WorkEnvironment:
Agricultural swine environment in rural area
Noise levels that require hearing protection in some areas
Gestation, farrowing, and small swine care processes
PhysicalRequirements:
Standing, walking and ability to be on feet 8 to 10 hours per day
Frequently bend, reach, squat and kneel
Frequently use one or both hands/arms to grasp or pull
Frequently lift objects weighing 3-20 pounds
Occasionally bend while pulling and/or lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or requiring up to 50 pounds of force to move
Occasionally bend 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