Director of Wean-to-Finish - Iowa Falls, IA Job Listing at Iowa Select Farms in United States of America (Job ID 4538)

Description

IOWA SELECT FARMS JOB DESCRIPTION 

TITLE: Director of Wean to Finish                                                                            

REPORTS TO: President 

LAST REVISION DATE: 6/5/2025

COMPANY VALUES:

• We believe in doing the right thing every day, operating with character and integrity, and being stewards of our resource by committing to:
  1. Our Animals 
  2. Our People
  3. Our Environment
  4. Our Community
• The core values of an organization are those values we hold which form the foundation on which we perform work and conduct ourselves. We expect all leaders, managers, and employees to demonstrate, foster and promote: 
  1. Respect: We treat people with respect regardless of personal opinions or differing backgrounds, and no one within the organization is more or less important than anyone else
  2. Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for completing our job responsibilities and following through on our commitments. We encompass our ability to recognize our own strengths and areas for improvement as well as accept responsibility for the performance and actions of ourselves and our teams without blaming others.
  3. Good Decision-Making: We are expected to continuously improve processes, attain results, and create efficiencies to achieve our mission while solving problems based on a combination of factual information, analysis, wisdom, and experience.
  4. Flexibility: We must react to changing circumstances, ambiguity and uncertainty with confidence, openness, positive energy, and optimism. 

PURPOSE OF POSITION: 

• Accountable for the oversight, development, training, and implementation of Iowa Select Farms plans specific to the wean to finish operations.  Uses a high level of judgement to make decisions and handle complex tasks or problem solving within all areas of wean-finish.  Has the ability to assess the quality of information given and ask pertinent questions of key stakeholders.  Able to offer new solutions to problems outside of set parameters and can construct and provide the associated recommendations.  Uses multiple internal and some external sources outside of own function to help arrive at the most desired outcomes. 
• Lead the day-to-day oversight of all inputs and processes needed to ensure successful training, implementation, and feedback with all levels of wean to finish to help achieve targets.  Responsible for financial results, process improvements and production efficiencies. This role will help assist in the further development, implementation, and dissemination of the Select Care values.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Active participant in leadership team to establish short-term objectives and long-range goals and related plans for wean to finish system.
• Lead, coordinate and oversee implementation of all aspects of wean to finish at Iowa Select Farms.
  • Establish and define industry best practices for wean to market.
  • Establish benchmarking and key performance indicators to measure success.
  • Responsible for coordination and training for wean to finish team.
  • Define key auditing and accountability for all levels of wean to finish team to achieve business KPIs, performance expectations and consistent execution of ISF protocols. 
• Review production results comparing them with company objectives and taking appropriate measures to correct unsatisfactory performance.
• Evaluates production system and drives profitability by identifying and facilitating process improvement projects for wean to finish system.
• Conducts root cause analysis to determine and troubleshoot operational issues utilizing advanced techniques. 
• Collaborate with other departments and key individuals to accomplish objectives:
  • With production management staff to develop and lead the implementation of production strategies to improve system performance.
  • With the health services team to develop and evaluate effectiveness of vaccination and treatment protocols for the wean to finish system.
  • With the transportation team to ensure efficient scheduling, placement of pigs and sales of market animals.
  • Good collaboration and two-way feedback with Crew Supervisor and Specialists.  
  • Work with veterinary team to develop and implement biosecurity protocols for wean-finish.
  • Assess biosecurity procedures during site visits.
  • Train farm personnel and finishing staff on proper biosecurity techniques and acceptable protocols.
• Monitor overall herd health using science-based processes and procedures.
• Ensure wean to finish team members have necessary training, supplies and tools to provide proper swine care across the ISF system.
• Conduct routine site visits to identify key needs and ensure wean to finish team has proper training and execution of production plans.
  • Ensure barn level expectations of proper animal care, treatment, daily oversight, barn ventilation, feed use, and management of animal's needs while animal well-being policies are met or exceeded.
  • Ensure environmental aspects are monitored and work with wean-finish and nutrient management teams to monitor all nutrient storage facilities and report issues if they arise, immediately. 
  • Conduct one-on-one and group training with wean to finish personnel to develop techniques that will positively impact production and drive cultural change across Iowa Select Farms.
• Responsible for maintaining positive relationships and thorough communications with contract growers and space owners.
• Assist with the hiring, managing, evaluation and discipline of employees and in partnership with HR.
• Adhere to and lead the Iowa Select Farms animal wellbeing policies with wean to finish team and partner with production wellbeing team on all related matters.
• Adhere to and lead the implementation of Iowa Select Farms safety policies and procedures.

COMPANY EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to Iowa Select Farms bio-security policy at all times which includes reporting any violations or concerns to management team
• Compliance with Iowa Select Farms safety policies and procedures which includes continuous education to maintain a safe work environment 
• Follow Iowa Select Farms animal wellbeing policy at all times and partner with the Production Well-being team in a timely manner if an incident occurs

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.  
• Accountability – takes responsibility for actions, behaviors, personal and team results
• Keep daily tasks, paperwork and people organized.
• Communicate and prioritize daily execution of tasks.
• Provide a unified leadership message.
• Provide constructive and motivating feedback on employees' performance and communicate with farm managers regarding this feedback.
• Effective in conflict resolution by addressing conflict quickly and appropriately.
• Motivate others to accomplish goals and tasks.
• Demeanor should be positive and professional at all times.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position requires the director to work closely with supervisors, managers, production staff and other company employees.  Teamwork and effective communication skills are very important. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibrations.  
• The environment you will be working in may have nuisance levels of gases and dust, particularly in the winter months
• The environment of this position will change daily pending weekly schedule.
• This position may require some tasks to be performed in extreme outside weather conditions.
• This position will have duties in all facilities of Iowa Select Farms so employees will need to be comfortable working in and being exposed to all facility environments.  

PHYSICALITY REQUIREMENTS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• Required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear.
• Ability to read and write.   
• The employee must have the ability to sit for long periods of time and to maintain focus on projects such as computer screens or detailed paperwork.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds along with climbing up ladders and over gates.
• The employee must be able to continuously repeat necessary movements such as bending, lifting and different hand movements as needed to complete tasks.
• Direct contact with animals will occur, so company bio-security practices must be understood and always practiced.  

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• This is a full-time position that will typically require at least 40 hours a week.
• Additional availability may be required during staffing challenges. 
• Occasional evening hours and weekend work may be required as the job duties demand. 
• This is a full-time position with the expected days of Monday-Friday

TRAVEL

• Local travel will be required for this position through the utilization of a company vehicle. 
• Occasional overnight travel might be required for necessary events that pertain to this position. 
• Travel is expected to various Iowa Select Farms facilities which may be local and out-of-area with little to no overnight travel through the utilization of a company provided vehicle. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and OTHER QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bilingual: Not Required
• Education/Experience:  At least five years of previous experience is desired with demonstrated success in leading people and production operations. 
• Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. 

OTHER DUTIES

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may be assigned or changed at any time with or without notice.