Bachelor's Degree in Poultry Science, Animal Science, Agriculture, Business, or related field.
8-10 years of progressive poultry production leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience in Feed, Hatchery, and Grow-Out Operations.
Experience leading multiple teams and contract grower operations.
Strong knowledge of poultry production systems, animal health, nutrition, and welfare programs.
Responsibilities
Lead and coordinate live production functions for Feed, Hatchery, and Grow-Out Operations.
Develop and execute strategies to meet production, quality, and financial goals.
Establish performance expectations and accountability measures across production functions.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives for operational efficiency and cost reduction.
Collaborate with Feed Mill leadership for timely delivery of quality feed.
Monitor feed conversion performance and identify improvement opportunities.
Ensure compliance with sanitation, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards.
Benefits
Promote employee engagement and professional development.
Support capital projects and operational planning efforts.
Maintain environmental compliance and support sustainability initiatives.
Promote workplace safety and adherence to safety programs.
Full Job Description
Summary
Drive operational excellence and bird performance across our live production network as a Live Production Manager. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership for Feed, Hatchery, and Grow-Out Operations while driving continuous improvement initiatives that support quality, efficiency, and sustainable growth. You will lead production teams and partner closely with contract growers and cross-functional teams, including Technical Services, Safety, Food Safety, Environmental, and Hatchery operations, to ensure exceptional animal welfare, biosecurity, regulatory compliance, and cost performance. This role is ideal for a results-driven leader who excels at developing teams, building strong partnerships, and delivering outstanding operational results in a fast-paced, production-focused environment.
Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Lead and coordinate all live production functions supporting Feed, Hatchery, and Grow-Out Operations.
Develop and execute operational strategies to achieve production, quality, animal welfare, and financial goals.
Establish performance expectations and accountability measures across all live production functions.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, productivity, and cost reduction.
Ensure alignment between live production objectives and company strategic goals.
Collaborate with Feed Mill leadership to ensure timely delivery of quality feed to all production facilities.
Monitor feed conversion performance and identify opportunities to improve feed utilization and flock performance.
Support nutrition programs and feed management strategies that maximize production efficiency.
Coordinate resolution of feed quality, logistics, and inventory issues impacting operations.
Partner with Hatchery Management to optimize hatchability, chick quality, and operational efficiency.
Monitor hatchery performance metrics and implement corrective actions when necessary.
Ensure compliance with sanitation, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards.
Coordinate chick placement schedules and communication between hatchery and grow-out operations.
Direct grow-out activities to achieve performance objectives for livability, feed conversion, growth rates, and processing yields.
Provide leadership and support to field managers, service technicians, and contract growers.
Monitor flock performance and implement corrective actions to improve production results.
Oversee live supply planning and farm management activities.
Promote best management practices across all grow-out facilities.
Ensure strict compliance with company biosecurity and animal welfare programs.
Partner with Veterinary Services to implement flock health and disease prevention programs.
Lead response efforts related to disease challenges and emergency preparedness.
Support animal welfare audits and regulatory inspections.
Develop, manage, and control departmental budgets and operational expenses.
Analyze production and financial data to identify improvement opportunities.
Drive cost-control initiatives while maintaining production performance and quality standards.
Support capital projects and operational planning efforts.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with contract growers.
Provide coaching, training, and performance management for growers and production personnel.
Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing team members.
Promote employee engagement, professional development, and succession planning.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Maintain environmental compliance and support sustainability initiatives.
Promote workplace safety and ensure adherence to company safety programs.
Support audit readiness and corrective action processes.
Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Poultry Science, Animal Science, Agriculture, Business, or a related field.
8-10 years of progressive poultry production leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting Feed, Hatchery, and Grow-Out Operations.
Experience leading multiple teams, locations, and contract grower operations.
Strong knowledge of poultry production systems, animal health, nutrition, and welfare programs.
Preferred Education and Experience
Advanced degree.
Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors
Frequent travel to farms, hatcheries, feed mills, and production facilities.
Exposure to agricultural and production environments.
Ability to work flexible hours and respond to operational emergencies as needed.
Exposure to live poultry and airborne contaminants.
Annual influenza vaccination required per CDC guidance.
Must be medically cleared to wear a respirator in accordance with OSHA standards.
Exemptions may be considered in accordance with applicable laws.
This position involves exposure to live poultry and airborne contaminants in poultry production environments. Because respiratory protection may be required to safely perform essential job duties, successful completion of OSHA-required medical evaluation and respirator fit testing is required before performing certain essential job functions. In addition, due to the nature of this work and associated health and safety considerations, an annual influenza vaccination is required.
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About Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is the parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness, based in Salisbury, Maryland. Perdue Foods is a major chicken, turkey, and pork processing company in the United States. Perdue AgriBusiness ranks among the top United States grain companies. Perdue Farms has 2021 annual sales of $8 billion.
