Swine Receiving Specialist

Who We Are  
A producer-owned pork processor, comprised of 200 dedicated Midwest family farms, focused on providing customers with quality pork products they can trust, in a culture that fosters innovation and opportunity.

Summary

The Swine Receiving Specialist is responsible for animal movement, voluntary segregation, regulated euthanasia processes, data collection, and analysis for overall production improvement. Responsible for using practical knowledge regarding animal health, welfare, behavior, evaluation to ensure top food safety and quality assurance on our products. Expected to be familiar with current USDA law and policy, and to perform their duties and responsibilities in a way that follows the necessary procedures for compliance with any federal, state, or local law and regulations. 

Education, Licensure and Experience  

• Animal handling or food production experience preferred, primarily in a swine industry. 
• Understanding of USDA humane handling and food safety regulations and meat plant welfare auditing requirements. 

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize daily work assignments and manage time wisely. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be a minimum of 18 years of age and must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (Please note:  This in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.   Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary and appropriate.):

1. Receive, unload, evaluate and sort hogs according to quality and weight for processing following animal welfare and safety protocols in preparation for harvesting animals. 
2. Inspect trailers used for hog transportation and ensure hogs were transported safely in a manner that provides for their overall health and wellness.  
3. Ensure trailers have the proper ventilation systems considering the current climate at the time of transport, size of herd compared to size of trailer, analysis of flooring and ramps for defects that could cause potential injury and other factors that could result in undue stress to the animals.
4. Monitor and note when animals are showing signs of stress during movement and take action to eliminate the stress to keep the overall health of the herd in control. 
5. Understand hog’s physiology as well as their behaviors to stimuli as it is an important part of being able to transport and move the animals safely. 
6. Identify (tattoo), scale, move, and accurately quantify hogs, including any dead or non-ambulatory animals. 
7. Evaluate whether animals meet the food safety and pork quality requirements for supply chain processing. 
8. Determine if animals are showing signs of illness, injury, or stress and handle them according to policy and procedures. 
9. Utilize specific swine handling knowledge and skill to move hogs from trucks to holding pens, and throughout facilities as needed. 
10. Track and record information utilizing an electronic computer system as the hogs are received to allow for pricing and payment to producers. 
11. Complete Transport Quality Assurance and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point trainings and internal plant Animal Welfare and Handling training. 
12. Complete ante-mortem inspection for diseases, or abnormalities that would indicate an animal is not fit for slaughter. 
13. Complete Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point documentation on swine in relation to animal segregation activities. 
14. Evaluate and segregate animals per USDA program requirements, i.e. NFBA program. 
15. Maintain adequate knowledge of specialized equipment to ensure safe operating procedures are followed. 
16. Collect data on swine to maintain animal movement records. 
17. Communicate clearly with team members and management team. 
18. Suggest changes in workflow process and use of equipment to increase efficiencies with the goal to create and implement new protocols and process improvements, which can improve efficiencies or eliminate risks that can affect the Food Safety and Quality in our products. 
19. Follow all safety procedures and protocols.
20. Follow all safety training and requirements. 
21. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities       

None                                      

Language Skills

Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the language of the majority cultural group in order to communicate effectively.  Must be able to hear enough to understand those individuals as well.  

Must be able to effectively communicate in both individual and group settings.  Must be able to present information and respond to questions from individuals and/or groups.  

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company matching Retirement Plan
• Paid time off
• Short term and long term disability
• Referral program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Plans

Wholestone Farms is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, gender orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.