A vacancy currently exists for a Hatchery Manager at our Bannockburn site (near Geelong), Victoria. The successful applicant must be prepared to work directly with livestock, after hours and on weekends. A Company house on site will be provided to the successful applicant.
We are seeking an experienced Broiler Hatchery Manager to lead the operational, technical, and people performance of a commercial hatchery. The role is accountable for delivering chick quality, hatchability, and throughput targets while maintaining biosecurity, animal welfare, and compliance standards.
This position oversees all hatchery functions including egg handling, incubation, hatch operations, chick processing, dispatch, maintenance coordination, and team leadership.
Key responsibilities
Operational leadership
• Manage daily hatchery production to meet set chick numbers and delivery schedules
• Oversee setters, hatchers, climate control, and automation systems
• Ensure hatchery operates to optimal capacity, efficiency, and cost control
• Coordinate egg supply, chick dispatch logistics, and customer requirements
Performance & technical management
• Drive hatchability, fertility feedback, and chick quality outcomes
• Monitor key KPIs: hatch %, cull rates, contamination, chick viability, processing efficiency
• Analyse data and implement corrective actions with breeder farms and technical teams
• Maintain strong understanding of incubation parameters and hatch trends
People management
• Lead, train, and supervise hatchery staff and supervisors
• Manage rosters, labour planning, and productivity
• Develop team capability in chick handling, vaccination, hygiene, and SOP compliance
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement
Biosecurity, welfare & compliance
• Maintain strict biosecurity protocols across all hatchery operations
• Ensure compliance with animal welfare, food safety, and regulatory requirements
• Lead sanitation programs and contamination prevention measures
• Manage audits and documentation requirements
Maintenance & site management
• Coordinate preventative maintenance with engineering teams
• Ensure equipment reliability and rapid response to breakdowns
• Manage consumables, inventory, and operational budgets
Stakeholder engagement
• Work closely with breeder farm managers, technical teams, and logistics
• Provide performance reporting and forecasts to senior management
• Support strategic improvements in hatchery processes and technology
Skills and experience
Essential
• Proven experience in poultry hatchery operations or broiler production leadership
• Strong understanding of incubation, hatchery flow, and chick quality standards
• Demonstrated leadership of teams in high-throughput production environments
• Data-driven decision making and KPI management
• Knowledge of biosecurity, WHS, and animal welfare requirements
Desirable
• Experience managing large-scale commercial hatcheries
• Vaccination program oversight
• Budget and cost-control responsibility
• Trade, agriculture, or production management qualification
An attractive and competitive package will be negotiated with the successful applicant. If you believe you are ready to take on this challenging and rewarding position, please forward your application to;
Human Resources Department
Email: ****@turosi.com.au
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted