Introduction

Grain Field Chickens, a subsidiary of VKB Agriculture (PTY) Ltd, is a dynamic role player in the integrated broiler industry with an abattoir in Reitz in the North Eastern Free State. We offer you the opportunity to establish yourself within a professional, corporate environment in the countryside. 

Job Description

To support and assist the broiler contract growers with managing and controlling of poultry farming operations on the various poultry production sites, reporting to operational management, liaising with feed mills, consulting professionals (veterinarian, animal nutritionists, technical advisors and Abattoir), and ensuring own team utilize poultry production equipment and poultry production facilities according to company policies and procedures. Also responsible for advising the broiler contract growers on production processes, developing, implementing and maintaining QMA systems as well as conducting internal audits and offering advice on solutions for audit outcomes.

Requirements

• Grade 12 or NQF Level 4 Equivalent.
• A Formal Qualification in Animal Science/ Poultry Production will be an advantage.
• At least 5 years’ proven experience within the poultry/ hatchery/ chicken grower’s environment.
• Working knowledge and experience in:
  • Functional anatomy and physiology of birds.
  • Poultry nutrition management.
  • Poultry health management.
  • Poultry housing and equipment.
  • Environmental control in poultry production.
• The applicant should be in a good physical condition, an independent worker, self-motivated, able to work under pressure and without supervision.
• Position requires a willingness to travel around farms on a daily basis.
• Will be required to working long hours, incl. weekends where requested.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop, implement and maintaining of QMA systems.
2. Driving hygiene standards in facilities through facility inspection, enforcement of GMP’s and the verification of cleaning programs, manage the provision of the cleaning teams and the effectiveness of the pest control service provider.
3. Monitor and support quality improvement of Product to Abattoir through various operational methods, training and technical support to Contract Growers.
4. Maintaining calibration schedules of testing and measuring equipment.
5. Analyse and determine areas of non-conformance and institute action when required.
6. Provide technical and advisory support on QA systems.
7. Continuous liaison between employees, internal departments, suppliers and government in order to ensure quality of service and products.
8. Ensure that broiler growers adhere to bio-security systems and guidelines.
9. Monitor and ensure that broiler farms, broiler houses and general contract requirements comply with Grain Field Chickens regulations and standards as set out in their contracts.
10. Ensure full adhere to Grain Field Chickens’ Risk Management Policy.
11. Ensure that internal and external audits are conducted in compliance with all requirements as per TIMS and oversee and verify that audit activities are prioritized according to risk.
12. Partake in external audits and influence the outcomes through appropriate explanation and justification, while conducting trials on proposed products specifications and offering appropriate advice and variations.
13. Conducting internal audits and offering advice on solutions for audit outcomes to prevent possible financial losses.
14. Continuous liaison with contract growers and supplies on audit reports and customer complaints.
15. Manage customer complaints and queries by investigating the root cause.
16. Compiling and distribution of industry notices to the relevant stake holders.
17. Providing continuous support to broiler growers during the construction of new broiler farms and broilers houses.
18. To complete all compulsory training interventions allocated by direct manager successfully.
19. To mentor and train all relevant employees / suppliers to establish and maintain standards, best practices and processes.
20. Identify training needs of broiler contract growers.
21. Stay up to date with the newest technology, products, processes and techniques by attending workshops, seminars and interventions.
22. To advise and support broiler growers on production, equipment, upkeep and conservation of broiler chicks.
23. Analysing and reporting on production data on a weekly basis.

 Skills Required

• MS Office at an intermediate skill level.
• Report writing.
• Conducting Non-Conformance audits.
• Presentation Skills.
• Implementation and administration of safety systems.
• Hazard Identification & Risk Assessments, Legal Compliance Assessments.
• Thorough knowledge of ISO 22000, ISO 14001, 18001/ 45001 & certification requirements.
• A working knowledge of local OHS requirements.
• A working knowledge of environmental stewardship.
• Able to engage and work with contract growers, external stakeholders, suppliers and contractors.
• Able to adapt and innovate quickly.
• Able to take ownership of areas of responsibility.
• Able to work within the workforce and management teams.
• Able to collate and construct Health & Safety reports as required.

• The company can expire jobs at any time at our own discretion. Should you not have received a response within 4 weeks of the closing date of this advert, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
• VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.
• VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.