Research Manager - Colo, IA Job Listing at Iowa Select Farms in Colo, IA (Job ID 4585)

Description

IOWA SELECT FARMS JOB DESCRIPTION 

TITLE: Research Manager                                                                                         

REPORTS TO: Director of Nutrition 

LAST REVISION DATE: 07/31/2025

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: 

• This person is responsible to work and assist in the day-to-day operational management of Iowa Select Farms research sites.  Internal and/or external personnel will determine feeding and management protocols but will be followed for feed trials. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Care and management of animals to ensure that all animal well-being policies are followed:
• Animals are properly fed.
• Water is available.
• Observation of all animals daily and ensuring sick animals are properly treated.
• Overall animal conditions are evaluated and maintained.
• Follow proper steps for timely euthanasia and be able to identify when it is needed
• Care and management of facilities to ensure that:
• Fans, curtains, heaters and other equipment are working properly 
• Ventilation equipment is adjusted to provide proper environment. 
• Facilities are kept clean, including power washing and disinfecting. 
• Facilities are organized and required between groups of pigs or as needed.
• Receive newly weaned pigs or feeder pigs and count, sort, size and determine rejects and destroy in accordance with research protocol.  Communicate this information to appropriate managers and supervisors immediately. 
• Oversee and assist with loading and unloading activities. 
• Procure, administer and dispense medications and vaccinations according to ISF protocols. 
• Recognize and react to ventilation, feed, water and health problems in production facilities. 
• Monitor overall health of pigs and communicate with Staff Veterinarian (Supervisor) on proper care and treatment of pigs. 
• Weigh animals routinely in accordance with trial protocols. 
• Move animals using safe handling practices. 
• Maintain accurate written and computer records as required by trial protocols. 
• Conduct minor repair and maintenance on facilities during grow out and between groups. 
• Understand and operate Automated Feed delivery system. 
• Computer knowledge/ skills- able to run reports, data entry, email, word documents, excel documents, and able to navigate the tools site to be able to find important company documents. 
• Responsible to understand and troubleshoot alarm systems and calls and ensure a response is initiated for 100% of these calls. 
• Data entry for farm- including vaccinations, tools systems, feed order, and environmental. 
• Identify animals needing timely euthanasia. 
• Complete euthanasia process according to ISF protocols. 
• Responsible for ensuring employees work in a safe manner and use personal protective equipment (PPE) when required, keeping employees motivated to perform at a high level to achieve production results and ensure all employees are being trained. 
• Collaborate with other departments within the company. 

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

• Leadership and Collaboration 
• Work ethic and Dedication 
• Technical Capabilities
• Demonstrated Success
• Time management and Organizational Skills
• Problem Solving and Initiative
• Trusted with Responsibility 
• Respect
• Communication 
• Accountability 
• Ability to learn and teach

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No direct supervisory responsibilities for this position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is performed indoors.
• 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

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.   
• 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.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds along with climbing up ladders and over gates.
• Direct contact with animals may 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. 
• Weekend and holiday rotations are a requirement.
• Occasional evening hours and weekend work may be required as the job duties demand. 

TRAVEL

• Position may include local travel. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and OTHER QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with fluency in both written and verbal communication is preferred 
• Education/ Experience: Previous experience in swine production operations is desired with an interest in swine research and a general ability to follow protocols and given attention to detail 

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.