AVS Bio Assistant Farm Manager

Job Description

AVS Bio Assistant Farm Manager

Be part of the science behind biologics and vaccines used around the world ideal for entry-level, healthcare, or service-industry backgrounds!

Location: Voluntown, CT (No Relocation Available)
Industry: Life Science
Salary: $58K and up commensurate with experience
Schedule: Saturday Wednesday 6AM 2:30PM
Job Type: Direct Hire

Company Overview:
AVS Bio is a global leader in biologics with more than 60 years of innovation supporting the development of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and breakthrough scientific research that protects human and animal health worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Farm Manager is a people-first operations leader who partners with the Farm Manager to drive performance, develop talent, and build a culture of continuous improvement across our poultry operation. This role is equal parts operational expert, people developer, and change agent someone who can step seamlessly into full farm leadership while also championing better ways of working every day. You will be accountable for the health and humane care of our birds, the safety and growth of our team, and the consistent execution of farm operations that meet or exceed our performance and quality standards.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Build a high-performing, engaged team through consistent coaching, recognition, and honest feedback creating an environment where people feel valued and motivated to grow.
• Conduct meaningful performance conversations (both formal and informal) that help team members understand expectations, identify development opportunities, and build career paths.
• Facilitate team huddles and communication touchpoints that keep information flowing clearly between frontline staff and farm leadership.
• Partner with HR and the Farm Manager on hiring, onboarding, disciplinary processes, and workforce planning.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Own day-to-day operational outcomes across poultry housing and processing departments, with a relentless focus on KPI performance, efficiency, and quality.
• Identify, champion, and implement process improvements that reduce waste, improve animal welfare, strengthen biosecurity, or increase productivity and build team buy-in around change.
• Track operational and performance data, translate it into actionable insights, and present findings to farm leadership in a clear, results-oriented way.
• Ensure all SOPs, biosecurity protocols, and regulatory requirements are executed with precision and consistency.

Animal Health & Husbandry

• Champion the humane care and well-being of birds throughout all life cycle phases, modeling the standards you expect from the team.
• Maintain hands-on proficiency in core husbandry practices including egg management, incubation and hatching, breeder/grow house oversight, pullet management, and depopulations ensuring quality execution in the Farm Manager's absence.
• Respond quickly and effectively to alarm events and operational disruptions, acting as a calm, decisive leader under pressure.

Farm Stewardship

• Maintain farm records and biosecurity logs in accordance with SOPs and regulatory standards.
• Oversee maintenance and housekeeping of production and processing equipment, proactively identifying needs before they become problems.
• Model safe, professional, and compliant behaviors at all times including proper use of PPE, adherence to biosecurity entry/exit procedures, and safety protocols.

Experience & Education

• 3+ years of experience in poultry, livestock, or agricultural operations with demonstrated supervisory or team leadership responsibility.
• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Agribusiness, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent practical experience considered.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold teams accountable in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Capabilities and Mindset

• A natural problem-solver who doesn't accept "this is how we've always done it" always looking for smarter, safer, more efficient approaches
• You lead with integrity and empathy, setting clear expectations while genuinely investing in the people around you.
• You execute with precision, follow through on commitments, and hold standards even when it's inconvenient.
• Comfortable shifting between strategic thinking and hands-on work; flexible schedule including weekends and holidays as operational needs require.
• You communicate clearly and transparently across all levels delivering information with professionalism whether the news is good or not.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This is an active, physical role in an agricultural setting. The work environment includes indoor poultry housing, outdoor grounds, and processing areas each with varying temperatures, noise levels, and exposure to dust, fumes, and biological materials. Candidates must be comfortable working hands-on with live poultry, lifting up to 80 lbs on occasion, and wearing full PPE including respirators. A genuine comfort with and respect for animal agriculture is essential.

Biosecurity FAQs:

• What is included in the biosecurity requirement? Employees may not own or have contact with live birds of any kind, including backyard poultry, ducks, turkeys, wild, or exotic birds, or visit farms, fairs, or other locations with bird exposure.
• What other animal contact is prohibited? Prohibited contact includes reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and certain wild animals (e.g., snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, deer mice), or animals requiring feeding of rodents or raw/frozen animal products.
• What animal contact is permitted? Permitted animals include dogs, cats, fish, and traditional farm animals (horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas/alpacas). Employees may not handle raw or frozen meat or poultry products before work.
• How is biosecurity enforced? All candidates must complete a Biosecurity & Animal Ownership Disclosure Form prior to hire and certify ongoing compliance. Violations or falsification may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.

Why Join Us:

• Direct hire with long-term career stability
• 401(k) with company match
• Up to 3 weeks paid vacation
• Up to 11.5 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Benefits effective the 1st of the month after your start date
• Consistent daytime schedule for work life balance
• Entry point into the life sciences and pharmaceutical industry
• Work that directly supports vaccines, diagnostics, and breakthrough therapies

EOE/ADA
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