Farm Services Manager

Vacancy Details
Employer:
Grain Field Chickens Important Company
Introduction
Grain Field Chickens, a subsidiary of VKB Agriculture Important Company, is a dynamic role player in the integrated broiler industry with an abattoir in Reitz in the North Eastern Free State. We offer you the opportunity to establish yourself within a professional, corporate environment in the countryside.
Job Description
Responsible for daily production activities, planning and reporting of a site which includes direct management of assigned employees, accountability, responsibility, training and motivating employees, biosecurity and protection of broiler stock, site procurement &
asset control, administration duties in accordance with established targets and methods and Important Company by Operations Management.
Requirements
Grade 12 or NQF Level 4 Equivalent.
A Formal Qualification in Animal Science/ Poultry Production.
At least 3 years
- proven experience within the poultry/ hatchery/ chicken grower-s environment.
Working knowledge and experience in:
Poultry nutrition management.
Poultry health management.
Poultry housing and equipment.
Environmental control in poultry production.
Experience in managing and running a logistics workshop.
Mechanical knowledge &
experience of medium toheavy haulage engines.
Sufficient all-round trailers experience also required.
Position requires a willingness to travel around farms on a daily basis.
Will be required to working long hours, incl. weekends where requested.
**Responsibilities**:
Feed practices and procedures
Assist with daily stock take of feeding bin and reporting figures back to management.
Report monthly feed levels to GFC Cost Accountant.
Inform Management of feed requirements/inefficiencies and Order feed and confirm delivery dates.
Ensure that no feed is wasted and/or spilled.
Ensure all feeder lines are according to company Important Company standards and requirements.
Oversee offloading of feed and that silo scales were zeroed and calibrated before each delivery.
Report feed delivery variances to Management.
Ensure correct weighing of feed and that feed levels are monitored, controlled and recorded daily by house attendant or Supervisor and report back to management.
Monitor feed quality daily and per delivery and report any issues to Management.
Ensure feed bins are washed &
disinfected after everycycle.
Water levels and usage
Ensure that drinkers are according to company Important Company standards and procedures floor area, to ensure all chickens can reach the water.
Ensure that Water usage and levels are monitored, controlled and recorded daily by house attendant and report back to management.
Ensure Site water supply levels are monitored daily, water on site capacity is maintained and pumps are in working condition, check chlorine station and record and report daily readings, report any maintenance related faults to Management.
Compliance with lighting program
Ensure all lights in chicken house are in good working order, and that any fused lights are replaced as soon as detected.
Ensure that lightning requirement are according to company Important Company standards and requirements.
Report any defects or problems with lightening immediately to manager.
Ensure that lighting and electricity checklists are controlled and recorded daily by house attendant, and report back to management.
Monitor Air, Ventilation and Temperature
Ensure that all ventilation, air and temperature are according to company Important Company standards and procedures.
Ensure all checklist on broiler, air, ventilation and temperature are recorded and monitored daily by house attendant / Supervisor, report back to management.
Check &
monitor boiler operation &
efficiency as well as coal stock levels, record &
report daily.
Report monthly coal levels to GFC Cost Accountant.
Vaccination, medication, weighing, catching and cleanout procedures.
Ensure vaccination and medications take place in accordance with operational requirements.
Check vaccination stocks and report shortage requirements to management.
Ensure medication and vaccination fridge is operational and closed daily.
Do weekly bird test weights with house attendants according to bird weighting procedure.
Make sure that automatic bird scales are checked and calibrated weekly.
Ensure that all data on growth, weight and mortalities are recorded daily by Supervisor, report back to management.
Make sure depletion procedure is followed, assist and supervise with catching of chickens.
Make surelitter cleanout procedure is followed and the enough vehicles are available to remove litter from the site, report deviations.
Monitor and manage washing &
disinfectant after cycles of houses, storerooms, control rooms, Office block, ablution area. Ensure fogging includes ablution and offices after cycles.
Workplace specific Biosecurity and Sanitation procedures
Oversee house washing procedures and ensure compliance with all general housekeeping rules as per Important Company instructions.
Do training on Biosecurity and health care standards.
Ensure visitors are monitored, signed in /out and comply with biosecurity operational requirements.
Monitor and supervise litter turning and make sure all wet litter underneath drinkers are removed or replaced.
Regularly check and replace floor baths content and ensure compliance with Important Company standards.
Regularly check rodent stations and ensure compliance with Important Company standards.
Supervise preparation, cleaning and disinfecting of chicken houses for new flocks.
Oversee the site maintenance of poultry houses, their equipment, cleaning and maintenance of boiler, generator and Office complex and storerooms.
Ensure that sanitation checklist is recorded daily by house attendant / Supervisor, report back to management.
General
Ensure strict adherence to Biosecurity rules and standards in terms of showering in and out, wearing protective clothing, own personal hygiene and handling of chickens and machinery.
Inspect chicken houses regularly to ensure all husbandry standards and procedures are met.
Regularly check and report maintenance requirements of facilities such as chicken houses, feeders and drinkers.
Report mortalities and culls daily as prescribed.
Assist and manage depletion, selection and placing of chickens, counting &
chick quality.
Manage and coordinate crop Scoring every 2, 6 and 12, 24 &
48 hours after placement and once a week.
Manage and assist with preparation, maintenance, cleaning and receiving of new flocks.
Keep record of total number of chicks when placement and depletion take place.
Maintain a high standard in site administration and reporting, daily filing &
sign-off.
Do and submit monthly stock counts &
complete lose asset register.
Ensure emergency equipment is checked monthly, record and report.
Complete preventative maintenance planning and submit to Management.
Do cycle planning and report to Management.
Arrange temporary employees if needed with HR.
Attend all production meetings and all training scheduled by management.
Logistics
Communicate with drivers before, during and after their scheduled trips.
Obtain load details and draw up accurate load schedule daily.
Brief drivers on their schedules daily.
Important Company drivers with all the relevant documentation and/or resources needed for them to complete their deliveries
Debrief drivers to identify any problems they encountered at end of trips.
Ensure a planned maintenance schedule is available at all times to reduce defects and breakdowns.
Ensure breakdowns are attended to with a matter of urgency.
Monitor to ensure all maintenance is carried out according to procedures and vehicle requirements.
Implement controls to ensure sufficient spares are available for the efficient maintenance of vehicles.
Conduct quality checks on repaired vehicles to ensure service standards are maintained.
Conduct and/or ensure safety information meetings are held.
Ensure housekeeping is completed on an ongoing basis so that the workshop is kept clean and safe.
Ensure all vehicles are returned in a clean and hygienic state.
Complete safety and health inspection reports on a quarterly basis.
Conduct accident and incident investigations as required.
Skills Required
MS Office at an intermediate skill level.
Report writing.
Conducting Non-Conformance audits.
Presentation Skills.
Implementation and administration of safety systems.
A working knowledge of local OHS requirements.
A working knowledge of environmental stewardship.
Able to engage and work with contract growers, external stakeholders, suppliers and contractors.
Able to adapt and innovate quickly.
Able to take ownership of areas of responsibility.
Able to work within the workforce and management teams.
Able to collate and construct Health &
Safety reports as required.