Managing a commercial poultry farm requires more than caring for livestock. It involves coordinating people, maintaining critical farm systems, monitoring flock health, responding to equipment issues, and ensuring that strict biosecurity and animal welfare standards are followed every day. For experienced poultry and farm professionals, the Farm Manager position at Willmar Poultry Farms in Willmar, Minnesota offers an opportunity to take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of a turkey brooding farm while leading a team and supporting production goals.
Willmar Poultry Farms is hiring a full-time Brood Farm Manager to oversee flock care, barn operations, employee supervision, maintenance, ventilation, feeding, and production processes. The position pays $21.54 to $26.92 per hour and includes a comprehensive benefits package with health, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) match, paid time off, and company-paid life insurance.
Farm Manager Job Overview
The Farm Manager will be responsible for keeping the turkey farm operating safely and efficiently while maintaining healthy flock conditions.
Key details include:
- Job Title: Farm Manager – Brood Farm
- Employer: Willmar Poultry Farms
- Location: Willmar, Minnesota
- Job Type: Full-time
- Pay: $21.54–$26.92 per hour
- General Hours: 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, Monday to Friday
- Schedule: Flexible, with occasional nights and frequent weekends
- Industry: Commercial poultry and agriculture
About Willmar Poultry Farms
Willmar Poultry Farms is an affiliate of Life-Science Innovations and operates as a commercial grow-out company raising turkeys for various customers. The company operates farms in the Willmar, Minnesota area.
The Farm Manager will play an important role in maintaining flock health and ensuring that farm operations meet production, safety, biosecurity and animal welfare requirements.
Farm Manager Responsibilities
The successful candidate will take responsibility for a wide range of operational and management duties.
Flock Care and Monitoring
The Farm Manager will:
- Monitor the health and condition of turkey flocks.
- Check barns multiple times each day.
- Monitor temperature, ventilation and other environmental conditions.
- Check mortality levels and water supplies.
- Monitor litter conditions and equipment operation.
- Record flock information including mortality, weights and water consumption.
- Communicate relevant information to the Serviceman.
- Order sufficient feed on a weekly basis.
Employee Leadership
The position also involves supervising and developing employees working on the farm.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading and motivating farm employees.
- Training and supervising team members.
- Defining responsibilities and expectations for each position.
- Supporting employees with their daily duties.
- Building a productive and cohesive team.
- Addressing performance and disciplinary matters when necessary.
- Working toward production goals and maintaining high operational standards.
Farm Maintenance and Equipment
The Farm Manager will also be hands-on with farm facilities, machinery and equipment.
Duties include:
- Performing general farm maintenance.
- Repairing machinery when necessary.
- Ensuring barn equipment operates correctly.
- Maintaining ventilation systems.
- Spreading shavings and assisting with barn upkeep.
- Operating machinery such as skid steers and tractors.
- Responding to farm alarm calls.
- Checking the farm when alarms or operational issues occur.
- Maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
- Cleaning and disinfecting barns after each flock moves.
Biosecurity, Animal Welfare and Safety
Because the position involves commercial poultry production, strict compliance with biosecurity and animal welfare procedures is an important part of the job.
The Farm Manager will be expected to:
- Follow company biosecurity policies.
- Enforce animal welfare requirements.
- Follow workplace safety procedures.
- Ensure regulatory requirements are followed.
- Maintain proper sanitation and disinfection procedures.
- Promote a safe working environment for employees.
Qualifications and Experience
Willmar Poultry Farms prefers candidates who have a combination of agricultural, animal care, mechanical and leadership experience.
The ideal candidate should have:
- A high school diploma or equivalent, preferred.
- A valid Minnesota driver’s license.
- Previous brooder farm experience, preferred.
- Experience in animal husbandry and animal welfare.
- Previous employee leadership or management experience.
- Experience operating farm machinery.
- Knowledge of the turkey industry and relevant regulations.
- Basic mechanical and repair knowledge.
- Knowledge of barn ventilation systems.
Spanish language skills are also preferred, although they are not listed as a mandatory requirement.
Skills That Can Help You Succeed
The employer is looking for someone who can work independently while also leading a team effectively.
Important skills include:
- Strong verbal and written communication.
- Active listening.
- Organization and time management.
- Mechanical skills.
- Problem-solving ability.
- Employee leadership and supervision.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to work effectively within a team.
- Ability to interpret technical, industry and government regulations.
- Ability to operate and maintain different barn systems and machinery.
Working Schedule
The standard working schedule is 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
However, this is not strictly a traditional Monday-to-Friday position. The employer states that the Farm Manager must have a flexible schedule, including occasional nights and frequent weekends.
Candidates should therefore be prepared to respond to farm needs outside normal working hours, particularly when flock health, equipment or alarm situations require attention.
Salary and Benefits
The Farm Manager position offers a starting wage of:
$21.54–$26.92 per hour
Eligible employees can also receive a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Health Savings Account with company match
- 401(k) plan with company match of up to 4% of compensation
- Paid time off
- Two personal days per year
- Holiday pay
- Company-paid life insurance
Who Is This Job Best Suited For?
This opportunity may be particularly suitable for candidates with experience in:
- Poultry farming
- Turkey production
- Brooder farm operations
- Animal husbandry
- Livestock management
- Agricultural operations
- Farm supervision
- Farm equipment operation
- Employee management
- Agricultural maintenance
The role combines animal care, people management, mechanical work and farm operations, making it more suitable for someone who is comfortable with a hands-on agricultural environment rather than someone seeking a purely administrative management position.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
Candidates should be aware that this is a physically active farm-management position. The job involves regular barn inspections, equipment and machinery, animal care, maintenance work and changing environmental conditions.
The position also requires flexibility because farm operations cannot always follow a fixed schedule. Occasional nights and frequent weekends are part of the expectations.
A valid Minnesota driver’s license is listed among the ideal candidate requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Farm Manager position?
The listed starting wage is $21.54 to $26.92 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.
Where is the Farm Manager job located?
The position is based in Willmar, Minnesota 56201, with Willmar Poultry Farms operating farms in the Willmar area.
Is this a full-time position?
Yes. The Farm Manager position is offered on a full-time basis.
What are the normal working hours?
General working hours are 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. However, the position requires flexibility, including occasional nights and frequent weekends.
Is poultry or turkey experience required?
The job posting lists previous brooder farm experience, animal husbandry and turkey-industry knowledge as preferred qualifications rather than stating them as absolute requirements.
Does the position involve managing employees?
Yes. The Farm Manager will lead, train, motivate, supervise and support employees working on the Brood Farm.
What kind of animals will the Farm Manager work with?
The position involves managing the care and production of turkeys, including monitoring flock health and environmental conditions.
Is farm machinery experience useful for this position?
Yes. Experience operating machinery such as skid steers and tractors is preferred, along with general mechanical and maintenance skills.
What benefits are available?
Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with company matching, a 401(k) with company matching up to 4%, PTO, personal days, holiday pay and company-paid life insurance.
Is Spanish language ability required?
Spanish-speaking ability is listed as preferred, not as a mandatory requirement.
Does the job involve animal welfare and biosecurity responsibilities?
Yes. The Farm Manager is expected to follow and enforce company policies covering biosecurity, animal welfare, safety and regulatory compliance.
Is relocation assistance available?
The job posting does not state that relocation assistance is available. Candidates should therefore confirm relocation arrangements directly with the employer if needed.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
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