Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Hatchery Manager

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the Hatchery Manager role is the linchpin of our production cycle, responsible for overseeing all aspects of a modern, large-scale hatchery. This individual is a leader, a biologist, and an operational expert tasked with transforming hatching eggs or larvae into healthy, high-quality chicks or fingerlings. The position demands a hands-on approach, blending scientific principles with strong management to ensure optimal production, uncompromising animal welfare, and stringent biosecurity. A successful Hatchery Manager drives efficiency, fosters a culture of safety and continuous improvement, and ultimately ensures the facility meets its ambitious production targets while upholding the highest standards of quality and care.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Assistant Hatchery Manager
Hatchery Supervisor / Lead Technician
Broodstock Manager
Poultry or Aquaculture Farm Manager

Advancement To:

Regional Director of Hatchery Operations
Production Director / VP of Production
General Manager of Live Operations
Complex Manager

Lateral Moves:

Feed Mill Manager
Quality Assurance Director (Live Production)
Processing Plant Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Direct and strategically coordinate all daily hatchery activities, including egg setting, incubation management, hatching cycles, and product processing, to consistently meet or exceed production goals.
Develop, implement, and rigorously audit comprehensive animal welfare programs, ensuring all practices align with company policies and exceed industry standards for humane handling and care.
Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of hatchery personnel, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, continuous training, scheduling, and performance management to build a high-performing workforce.
Maintain meticulous and accurate records of all production metrics, animal health data, and biosecurity protocols, generating detailed reports for senior management to inform strategic planning.
Uphold and champion the facility’s comprehensive biosecurity program, enforcing strict access controls and sanitation procedures to prevent the introduction and transmission of pathogens.
Manage the hatchery's operational budget with fiscal prudence, monitoring expenditures, controlling costs related to labor and supplies, and identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements.
Ensure all critical hatchery equipment, such as incubators, hatchers, and environmental control systems, is expertly maintained, calibrated, and operated for maximum reliability and performance.
Cultivate a proactive safety culture, guaranteeing full compliance with OSHA and company safety regulations through regular training, facility audits, and thorough incident investigations.
Precisely monitor and regulate all environmental conditions within the hatchery, including temperature, humidity, and ventilation, to optimize hatchability, viability, and overall product quality.
Collaborate closely with breeder farms to coordinate the timely and secure delivery of top-quality hatching eggs, overseeing proper handling, grading, and storage procedures upon arrival.
Administer and supervise vaccination programs and other animal health procedures, working in concert with company veterinarians to ensure the health and vitality of the stock.
Implement and manage robust quality control checkpoints at every stage of the process, from egg arrival to final product assessment, to guarantee a premium and consistent output.
Liaise effectively with logistics and transportation teams to schedule and coordinate the efficient, humane, and timely delivery of products to grow-out farms or customers.
Act as the primary troubleshooter for any production or quality issues, utilizing data analysis and root-cause investigation to implement decisive and effective corrective actions.
Stay at the forefront of industry advancements by researching new technologies, genetics, and management practices to drive continuous improvement and innovation within the hatchery.
Guarantee the facility maintains full compliance with all local, state, and federal environmental, agricultural, and workplace safety regulations.
Manage inventory levels for all necessary supplies, including vaccines, chemicals, and packaging materials, ensuring availability without excessive overstock.
Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as hatch-of-fertile, livability, and cost-per-unit to identify trends and guide process adjustments.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all hatchery tasks, ensuring they are regularly updated and followed by all team members.
Oversee the maintenance and sanitation of the entire facility, including all rooms, equipment, and grounds, to ensure a clean and biosecure environment.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests from senior leadership and perform exploratory data analysis on hatch rates, flock performance, and other critical metrics.
Contribute expert insights to the organization's broader production strategy, long-term capacity planning, and capital expenditure projects.
Collaborate with nutritionists, veterinarians, and farm managers to create a fully integrated approach that optimizes the entire production chain from egg to market.
Represent the company with professionalism at industry association meetings, technical conferences, and community events to build professional networks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep expertise in poultry or aquatic animal husbandry, embryology, and the science of incubation.
Proficiency with hatchery-specific automation and equipment (e.g., Jamesway, Chick Master, Pas Reform, Innovatec).
Comprehensive understanding of biosecurity principles and their practical application in a large-scale facility.
Strong analytical skills for data analysis, production metric tracking, and performance reporting.
Competence in budget management, financial forecasting, and cost-benefit analysis.
Technical knowledge of environmental control systems, HVAC, and mechanical equipment used in agricultural settings.
Familiarity with regulatory compliance standards, including OSHA, USDA, EPA, and Global Animal Partnership (GAP).
Competency with computer systems, including Microsoft Office Suite and specialized production management software.

Soft Skills

Exceptional leadership and team management abilities, with a talent for motivating and developing staff.
Advanced problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, especially under pressure.
Clear, concise, and professional communication skills, both written and verbal, across all levels of the organization.
Meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to quality and operational excellence.
High-level organizational and time-management skills to juggle multiple competing priorities effectively.
A strong sense of personal accountability and a proactive, results-oriented mindset.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or an Associate's degree combined with extensive, directly related industry experience.

Preferred Education:

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Animal Science, Poultry Science, Aquaculture, or Agricultural Business.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science / Poultry Science
Aquaculture / Fisheries Science
Agricultural Business / Agribusiness Management
Biology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience within a commercial hatchery environment.

Preferred:
3+ years of direct supervisory or management experience, demonstrating leadership in a large-scale, technologically advanced hatchery operation.