Catcher Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and assist catching crews to ensure chickens are caught and loaded in a timely, safe, and humane manner .
• Maintain effective communication with catching managers, supervisors, live production personnel, transportation teams, growout personnel, company crews, contract crews, and contract producers.
• Train employees and ensure team members understand and consistently follow company catching, loading, animal welfare, safety, and biosecurity policies and procedures.
• Monitor catching and loading activities and immediately address any safety, quality, or animal welfare concerns.
• Ensure all standards for humane handling of birds are consistently followed.
• Plan, assign, and direct work while providing hands-on support to the catching crew.
• Address employee concerns, complaints, and operational issues and work to resolve problems effectively.
• Enforce company policies and procedures consistently.
• Promote positive relationships with employees, growers, contract producers, and other business partners through effective communication and professional conduct.
• Maintain open communication with Live Production and Transportation regarding loading operations and customer/supplier relationships.
• Work collaboratively with other Live Production departments to improve bird handling, loading practices, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure company biosecurity standards are followed, including proper movement and handling of crews and catching equipment.
• Assist with the maintenance and upkeep of catching equipment as needed.
• Transport fan trailers during warmer weather as required.
• Perform catching duties and other hands-on responsibilities as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise and support the training and development of catching crew employees.
• Ensure employees are fully trained and capable of implementing Bell & Evans catching, loading, animal welfare, safety, and biosecurity policies and procedures.
• Provide direction and leadership to company and contract catching crews.
• Maintain strong working relationships with catching management, growout personnel, transportation team members, and contract producers.

Qualifications

• Ability to work 8–10 hours or longer as operational needs require.
• Approximately 8 hours of the workday may involve active catching operations .
• Previous supervisory, agricultural, poultry, livestock, or catching crew experience is preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude or mechanical experience preferred.
• CDL license preferred , or willingness and ability to complete training to obtain the appropriate endorsement.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Bell & Evans forklift certification .
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a physically demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to animal welfare, employee safety, product quality, and company biosecurity standards.
• Ability to work collaboratively with employees, management, growers, and external partners.

What We’re Looking For