What are the responsibilities and job description for the Farm 36 Operator position at Simmons Prepared Foods?
Purpose of the Position
Follow Simmons guidelines and best management practices before, during and after flock replacement to ensure a quality broiler is sent to the processing plant while maintaining farm performance and appearance standards.
Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a Salary Exempt position.
Conducts farm operations daily. Walks around broiler farms several times a day to inspect the installation and ensure good husbandry of flocks. Maintains farm, well house, and dwelling house appearance by mowing, weed eating and trash pickup and disposal. Responsible for testing and disinfecting water. Provides good air quality, proper feed, and clean water for the birds. Responsible for rodent control measures.
Accountable for farm performance. Works independently and is responsible for meeting established mortality rates at the end of the head count. Applies Simmons Best Management Practices and follows all Animal Welfare and Biosecurity guidelines. Attends all required meetings including safety meetings as directed.
Performs a variety of checks. Monitors equipment functionality and performs minor repairs as needed. Periodically checks generators manually to ensure they are operational. Observes flock behavior several times at day and makes adjustments accordingly to ensure birds are comfortable; communicates any anomalies to Service Technicians. Ensures feed and water are always accessible and available.
Calls in various reports. Picks up mortality a minimum of once daily (more often if directed by Service Technician). Reports mortality rate as well as gas and water readings daily. Reports feed inventory twice per week. Fills in forms and mortality cards required in a timely manner. Reports the status and welfare of birds daily.
Assist in a variety of activities. Assists the vaccination crew as needed. Accompanies Service Technicians and Company Farms Manager when they visit the farm to observe farm management practices. Ensures farms are clean and ready to receive flocks when needed. Culls birds as needed (in accordance with animal welfare standards).
Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.
Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.
Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.
Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Presents information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in extreme weather conditions and dark environments as needed. Must be able to be on call 24/7 as needed. Move about in broiler/breeder houses and surrounding properties under extreme weather conditions as needed. Communicates with other Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. Walks 160,000 square foot house/farm several times a day to perform duties. Able to lift and carry 50 lbs. Works on feet under temperature extremes and low light conditions.
Travel: Minimal. Occasionally travels domestically to and from multiple facilities.
Technical Experience: 2 years related experience. Works under minimum supervision as a single operator or as a married couple. Outside employment is not allowed while employed as a Farm Operator. Ability to learn and apply processes and procedures and set work instructions.
Industry Experience: Preference for poultry, agriculture, farming, or food processing organization.
Minimum Education: Have the ability to read and understand training material and policies in English. Must have a good command of the English language, both written and spoken.
Preferred Education: N/A
