Job Summary

The Production Lead Hand is a vital role within our manufacturing facility, responsible for overseeing daily production operations in the chick hatching industry. This position involves supervising team members, ensuring adherence to animal welfare and sanitation standards, and maintaining efficient workflow. The ideal candidate will possess strong relational intelligence, familiarity with animal welfare, and a strong commitment to quality and safety. The Production Lead Hand plays a key role in supporting continuous improvement and maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will work in conjunction with the Production Supervisor and in the absence of the Supervisor assume production related responsibilities including:

Responsibilities

- Direct staff and monitor performance of employees in production room

- Lead and work to ensure employee compliance with all company policies including animal welfare, biosecurity, safety and quality practices

- Perform quality checks including sexing accuracy, chick quality, box counts, vent temperatures, etc., to ensure that standards are maintained for safety, quality, and customer satisfaction

- Flock tracking through taking counts off counters, verifying against actual boxes prepared, and recording on paperwork

- Preparing Chick Delivery and Flock Placement Report, and Chick Placement Summary Report

- Ensuring that correct number of chicks for customers are loaded onto trucks, and ensuring any additional supplies required (such as vaccine) are with the applicable load





- Checking status of upcoming hatch and advising production supervisor or hatchery manager

- Monitoring the status of the hatch against the delivery schedule and advising the Production Supervisor and/or the Logistics Manager of any variances from planned

- Monitor equipment operation, advise maintenance of concerns and request repairs as required

- Assisting with sexing, mixing as required

- Assist in training and development of staff

- Be familiar with and oversee the vaccine preparation

- Directing of staff when traying eggs

- As part of a rotation with other supervisors (3 hour shift twice monthly), complete Sunday egg sets and chick checks

Skills

- Experience in managing employees (more than 30 staff)
- Strong knowledge of sanitation practices, and animal welfare regulations
- Mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify potential issues
- Basic math skills for measurements, inventory counts, and quality checks
- Understanding of manufacturing workflows and production schedules
- Excellent communication skills to effectively lead team members and coordinate tasks
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail

This role offers an opportunity to contribute to a energetic team committed to producing high-quality chicks while maintaining strict safety and sanitation standards. The Production Lead Hand is essential in ensuring smooth operations and continuous improvement within our manufacturing facility.

Pay: From $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

- Company events
- Dental care
- On-site parking
- RRSP match
- Wellness program

Work Location: In person

📌 Production Lead Hand (Canada)
🏢 Thames River Hatchery
📍 Canada