Hatchery Manager (Watertown)
Job Title: Hatchery Manager Location: Watertown, NY Reports to: Director Compensation: Full-time, hourly position with health and retirement benefits Position Summary: The Hatchery Manager is responsible for the overall management and performance of hatchery operations. This position oversees all hatchery departments including egg receiving and storage, transfer operations, Embrex vaccination, chick processing, sanitation, quality assurance, and operational reporting systems. The Hatchery Manager ensures that production targets, quality standards, biosecurity requirements, and animal welfare protocols are consistently met. The Hatchery Manager provides leadership to assistant managers, supervisors, team leads, and hatchery associates while maintaining efficient workflow across departments. This role is responsible for operational planning, staffing coordination, system accuracy, and ensuring hatchery production data is maintained accurately within internal systems such as Amino. Job Description and Responsibilities: Oversee all daily hatchery operations including egg room activities, transfer operations, Embrex vaccination, chick processing, sanitation, and quality assurance. Ensure hatchery production goals are met while maintaining efficiency, accuracy, and quality standards. Coordinate hatchery workflow to ensure smooth operations between departments. Monitor hatchery production schedules and ensure all operations are completed on time. dentify operational inefficiencies and implement improvements to increase productivity. Provide leadership and direction to Assistant Hatchery Managers, Supervisors, Team Leads, and Hatchery Associates. Ensure proper staffing levels are maintained to meet operational demands. Oversee employee training, performance management, and development. Promote a positive and productive work environment that encourages teamwork and accountability. Ensure employees understand and follow hatchery procedures and expectations. Monitor egg handling, incubation, transfer operations, vaccination procedures, chick processing, and shipment preparation. Ensure hatchery production processes are performed according to company standards and best practices. Maintain production quality while meeting hatch rate and chick quality expectations. Monitor hatchery equipment performance including transfer systems, Embrex equipment, robotic processing systems, and sanitation equipment. Ensure strict adherence to biosecurity protocols, sanitation procedures, and animal welfare standards. Maintain hatchery cleanliness and sanitation standards to prevent contamination or disease risks. Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Conduct routine inspections to verify compliance with operational and safety procedures. Oversee accurate data entry and management within the Amino system for hatchery operations. Ensure operational numbers entered into Amino are accurate and reflect actual hatchery production. Review and verify hatchery operational data including egg inventory, transfer numbers, hatch counts, and production reporting. Ensure there is no room for errors in operational reporting, as Amino data directly impacts production planning and inventory management. Monitor hatchery production reports and use data to guide operational decisions. Oversee maintenance and proper operation of hatchery equipment. Work with maintenance teams to ensure equipment issues are resolved quickly. Ensure all hatchery machinery including Embrex systems, transfer equipment, and processing systems operate efficiently. Monitor facility conditions including temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Coordinate hatchery shipment schedules and transportation logistics. Ensure chicks are prepared, counted, and shipped according to delivery schedules. Maintain communication with transportation teams to ensure timely deliveries. Identify opportunities to improve hatchery efficiency and operational workflow. Implement process improvements to increase productivity and reduce operational errors. Support development of procedures, training materials, and job descriptions to improve organizational structure. Maintain communication with senior leadership regarding hatchery performance and operational updates. Provide operational reports, production summaries, and system updates to leadership when required. Address operational challenges and implement solutions in coordination with leadership. Ensure hatchery operations continue efficiently during unexpected production challenges. Support company initiatives and operational changes when required. Perform additional leadership or operational duties as assigned. Qualifications: Extensive hatchery or poultry production experience required. Proven leadership experience managing teams in a production environment. Strong understanding of hatchery operations including egg handling, incubation, transfer, vaccination, processing, and sanitation. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Experience working with operational tracking systems such as Amino or similar production software. Ability to manage multiple operational processes simultaneously. Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills. Physical Requirements: Ability to walk and stand for extended periods while monitoring hatchery operations. Ability to work in hatchery environments including humidity, noise, and sanitation areas. Ability to move between office and production areas as needed. Ability to occasionally lift trays, equipment, or materials. Benefits: CWT Farms International provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the healthcare and financial well-being of our employees. CWT Farms International offers medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Teladoc, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability coverage, subject to the terms and conditions of Plan documents. Additionally, you will be eligible for company observed paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO) at a rate of 14 days per year, prorated based on your hire date. Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at time of hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company. EEOC Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
