Veterinary Care Department Head – Integrated Poultry Project
Location: Middle East
Company Overview:
A leading Middle East company in poultry production, currently establishing an industry super sized Integrated Poultry Project. The project includes large-scale operations for both meat production (200,000 tons/year) and egg production (3 billion eggs/year). We are seeking a highly experienced Veterinary Care Department Head to oversee the health and well-being of our poultry population across various stages of production.
Position Overview:
The Veterinary Care Department Head will be responsible for overseeing the comprehensive health management of poultry across all operations, including Broiler, Parent Stock (PS), Grandparent Stock (GP), and Hatcheries. The ideal candidate will ensure optimal poultry health, vaccination, medication protocols, and laboratory diagnostics, contributing to the productivity and efficiency of the entire project.
Key Responsibilities:
• Oversee and manage the health of poultry flocks in Broiler, PS, GP, Hatcheries, and Layer operations.
• Develop, implement, and monitor vaccination and medication programs to ensure disease prevention and control.
• Lead a team of veterinarians and health technicians, providing guidance on all aspects of poultry health management.
• Monitor and ensure the well-being of poultry through regular assessments, diagnostics, and health checks.
• Coordinate with hatchery managers to ensure optimal health conditions for breeding and hatching operations.
• Conduct and oversee laboratory testing and diagnostics to identify potential health risks and respond promptly.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., production, nutrition, and operations) to align health protocols with operational goals.
• Ensure compliance with local and international poultry health standards and regulations.
• Provide recommendations and input into animal welfare practices and procedures.
• Prepare and manage departmental budgets related to veterinary care, health supplies, and medication.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest veterinary research and advancements in poultry health.
Qualifications:
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in poultry health management, particularly in large-scale operations - essential.
• In-depth knowledge of poultry diseases, vaccines, and medications.
• Experience working with Broiler, Layer, and Breeder operations (PS & GP).
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage a team of veterinary professionals.
• Experience with laboratory diagnostics and health data analysis.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other departments in a large-scale, integrated project.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with high-capacity operations similar to ours (Broiler-Breeder houses from Big-Dutchman, egg grading machines from MOBA, hatcheries from Petersime and Jamesway).
• Knowledge of slaughterhouse operations and animal health during the processing stage.
• Prior experience in a leadership position overseeing multiple large poultry operations.