Production Engineer jobs in Iowa

JOB SUMMARY

The Sow Production Supervisor directs and oversees the operations of all the sow farm’s that are managed by Suidae Health & Production that are assigned to their direct supervision.

 The Sow Production Supervisor is supervised by the Director of Sow Farm Management Services, and works from policies and general objectives approved by the management of Suidae Health & Production.   

 Essential duties and responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned. 

• Ensures managed farms assigned to them are meeting company goals and objectives related to farm productivity results; gilt development, consistently achieving breeding and farrowing throughput targets, pigs shipped targets, and herd efficiency levels.
• Provides clear direction to farm manager’s and timely gives them constructive feedback to optimize farm productivity, and employee retention rates. Supports farm manager’s in resolving personnel issues and in developing their employee’s skill levels.
• Provides “cost control” oversight to ensure budgeted financial performance is being met
• Ensures that all environmental, herd health, bio-security, animal welfare, personnel management and safety related regulations or policies are being followed by farm personnel
• Ensures that facilities and equipment are properly maintained and kept clean, neat, and well-organized.
• As needed, to provide hands-on problem solving support to farm manager’s and their employees to improve any areas of farm operational management not timely improving to expected levels of results.
• Conducts routine farm visits and provides timely written summary reports of such visits to the sow farm management team and the farm owner.  Reviews production records and ensures their data integrity.  Creates written improvement action plans, and follows thru on their execution by farm employees, in any operational area not meeting expected levels of results.
• Coordinates replacement gilt orders for the sow farm with genetic source vendors and ensures animal flow projections submitted by the unit manager meet piglet quality and farm productivity optimization expectations.
• Communicates timely to farm Veterinarian and Director of Sow Farm Management all productivity and disease related issues that may impact herd productivity levels.
• Collaborates with, and supports, other Suidae personnel in meeting their farm management responsibilities. Including human resources, veterinarian, record keeping, herd health, supply ordering, pigflow coordination and accounting.
• Attends scheduled Suidae management meetings and suggests ways for improving farm productivity and profitability, as well as for improving Suidae’s management services
• Attends farm owner meetings and helps keep farm owner’s key contact person informed of all significant changes in farm operational activities.
• Utilizes data and science in decision making
• Have a valid and current Driver’s license to operate company vehicle, or a personal vehicle with current auto insurance while on company business
• Willing to perform miscellaneous tasks as needed
• Frequent travel throughout assigned management services region, including occasional overnight stays
• Regular use of telephone, computer, and Outlook calendar

  Primary skills and knowledge include the following:

•  5 years successful experience in sow farm management
• Ability to get industry leader level of results working with a variety of personality types of people
• Self starter
• High expectations
• Customer service focused
• Team player
• Organized, able to prioritize and efficient with time management
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in using Outlook, Word, and Excel software systems
• Ability to multi-task
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs without assistance