Clemens Food Group

Continuous Improvement Specialist - Swine Production

Clemens Food Group  •  Hagerstown, MD (Onsite)  •  2 hours ago
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Job Description

Join Country View Family Farms as a Continuous Improvement Specialist (CI Tech Support Professional) and drive process improvement and operational excellence across our swine farms, feed mills, truck washes, and production operations. This hands-on, multi-site role partners with leaders and teams to analyze production data, improve processes, develop SOPs, deliver training, conduct root-cause analysis, reduce process variation, and implement measurable solutions using Lean Six Sigma methodologies. You’ll lead improvement initiatives, coach teams, and travel between locations to strengthen performance. Full-time with benefits and paid Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training and certification. Apply today!

About Us:

Country View Family Farms (CVFF) is a leading pork production organization and proud affiliate of Clemens Food Group, a family-owned company and one of the nation’s leading pork producers. Together, we are part of an integrated pork production system built around a shared commitment to animal care, food safety, biosecurity, innovation, sustainability, operational excellence, and our people.

At CVFF, pork production is about much more than our farms. Our network of more than 300 family farms is supported by an interconnected system that includes sow, nursery, and finishing operations, feed mills, truck wash facilities, transportation, and other critical production-support functions. Our feed mills provide carefully formulated nutrition to support animal health and performance, while our truck wash operations play an essential role in maintaining rigorous biosecurity standards and helping protect the health of animals across our network.

Transportation is another critical part of that system. We work closely with PV Transport, part of the Clemens Food Group family, to support the safe and efficient movement of animals, feed, and essential resources throughout our operations. From the farm and feed mill to transportation and biosecurity, our teams work together as one connected operation with a common goal: raising healthy animals and responsibly producing safe, high-quality pork.

We combine modern agricultural technology, veterinary and nutritional expertise, strong animal-care and biosecurity practices, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement to continually strengthen the way we operate. We are always looking for better ways to improve performance, solve challenges, develop our teams, and prepare our operations for the future.

Just as importantly, we invest in our people. CVFF provides hands-on training, professional development, career-growth opportunities, and pathways for advancement across animal care, production, feed manufacturing, transportation, maintenance, operations, leadership, and continuous improvement. Whether you work on a farm, in a feed mill, on the road, or behind the processes that keep our operations moving, your work makes an impact—and there are opportunities to grow with us.

As a Continuous Improvement (CI) Tech Support team member, you’ll have the opportunity to work across these diverse production environments, partnering directly with leaders and team members to strengthen training, improve processes, and drive operational excellence. This hands-on role supports farms, feed mills, truck washes, and other operational areas by developing and improving SOPs, delivering employee training, verifying readiness, and analyzing production and performance data. Using Lean Six Sigma methodologies, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement tools, you’ll identify opportunities to reduce process variation, solve operational challenges, coach and develop teams, and implement sustainable solutions that improve performance.

This is an opportunity to make an impact across multiple areas of a growing agricultural and food production organization while developing expertise in continuous improvement, process improvement, Lean Six Sigma, training and development, operational excellence, and production operations.

Position Summary

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist / CI Tech Support Professional – Swine Production partners with the Country View Family Farms (CVFF) Production Leadership Team to execute the organization’s training and continuous improvement strategy across our swine and pork production operations. This role has a strong focus on improving employee performance, process execution, animal care, production consistency, and operational results.

This hands-on, multi-site position serves as a resource across CVFF operations to identify system and process improvement opportunities and partner with teams to develop and implement sustainable solutions. The role supports multiple operational areas, including sow farms, swine production farms, feed mills, truck washes, and other production-support locations, and requires regular travel between assigned locations.

A critical component of this position is hands-on knowledge and experience within swine production, particularly breeding and farrowing operations. The CI Specialist works directly with production leaders and farm teams to train, coach, and develop employees on effectively performing breeding, farrowing, animal-care, and production processes. This individual helps strengthen employee knowledge and execution while identifying opportunities to improve processes, team performance, animal outcomes, and overall production results.

The CI Specialist also helps translate CVFF’s Mission, Vision, Core Values, and organizational strategy into effective systems and practical execution in the field. This individual helps teams establish priorities, make timely decisions, plan effectively, and manage through established systems and processes.

A key focus of this position is expanding the capability and capacity of our teams through employee development, training, coaching, Continuous Improvement, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, problem-solving, and change management. The CI Specialist works closely with leaders and team members to strengthen performance, reduce process variation, solve operational challenges, and build a culture of continuous improvement throughout CVFF.

Position Summary

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist / CI Tech Support Professional – Swine Production partners with the Country View Family Farms (CVFF) Production Leadership Team to drive training, employee development, process improvement, and operational excellence across our swine and pork production operations.

This hands-on, multi-site role works directly with leaders and farm teams to identify improvement opportunities, strengthen process execution, develop employees, and implement sustainable solutions across swine farms, feed mills, truck washes, and other production-support locations. Regular travel between assigned locations is required.

A critical component of this role is hands-on swine production experience, particularly breeding and farrowing. The CI Specialist trains, coaches, and develops employees on breeding, farrowing, animal care, and production processes to improve employee capability, consistency, animal outcomes, and overall production performance.

Using production data, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, root-cause analysis, and structured problem-solving, this individual helps reduce process variation, strengthen operational performance, and build a culture of Continuous Improvement throughout CVFF.

Duties & Responsibilities

Training & Development — 40%

  • Provide hands-on training, coaching, and employee development within swine production, with particular emphasis on breeding, farrowing, sow care, piglet care, animal welfare, and production performance.
  • Partner with farm leadership to strengthen employee knowledge and consistent execution of breeding and farrowing practices.
  • Identify training and development opportunities that improve employee capability, professional growth, and farm performance.
  • Support key improvement opportunities across swine farms, feed mills, truck washes, and other operational areas.
  • Train leaders and team members to review and interpret production, herd-performance, and financial data to support decision-making.
  • Partner with operational leaders to develop and improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that promote consistency and Continuous Improvement.
  • Identify training needs and support managers and team leaders in delivering effective training.
  • Develop training tools and materials for departmental SOP manuals and training programs.
  • Coach teams through operational and process changes to ensure improvements are effectively implemented and sustained.

Process Verification — 20%

  • Review progress on training plans for team members participating in the Step Plan.
  • Verify individual Readiness Levels for tasks identified within the training tracker during and/or following Step Plan certifications.
  • Evaluate execution of breeding, farrowing, animal-care, and other swine-production procedures.
  • Identify gaps in training, knowledge, process execution, or employee readiness and partner with leadership on appropriate development and follow-up.

Continuous Improvement — 20%

  • Support Continuous Improvement Leadership Development and Change Management initiatives.
  • Utilize Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement methodologies and coach others in effectively applying these tools.
  • Analyze production data and swine-production KPIs to identify trends, performance gaps, process variation, and improvement opportunities.
  • Partner with leadership and farm teams to conduct root-cause analysis, solve operational challenges, and develop and execute improvement plans.
  • Support on-farm and operational improvement projects and monitor progress and results.
  • Facilitate effective meetings that establish clear priorities, ownership, decisions, and actions.
  • Share successful solutions and best practices across locations to improve consistency and performance.
  • Promote a culture of Continuous Improvement, data-driven decision-making, animal care, and operational excellence.

Strategic Planning & Organization — 20%

  • Serve as a resource for Management Trainees (MTs), Summer Interns, organizational initiatives, and other projects.
  • Participate in initiative planning, Weekly Production Meetings, farm team meetings, and Quarterly Manager Meetings as needed.
  • Serve as a bridge for bi-directional communication between Clemens Food Group (CFG) Organizational Development and CVFF.
  • Help translate organizational strategy, Mission, Vision, and Core Values into practical actions and systems that can be successfully executed in the field.

Knowledge & Skills

  • Strong knowledge of modern swine/pig production and pork production systems, particularly breeding, reproduction, farrowing, sow care, and piglet care.
  • Knowledge of animal science, animal care and welfare, and biosecurity within commercial swine production.
  • Understanding of swine-production KPIs, herd performance, production metrics, and financial data.
  • Knowledge of Continuous Improvement, Lean Six Sigma, process improvement, root-cause analysis, and structured problem-solving.
  • Strong training, facilitation, coaching, employee-development, and change-management skills.
  • Strong organization, planning, priority-setting, project-management, and analytical skills.
  • Ability to develop effective SOPs, training materials, and process-improvement resources.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and PigKnows.
  • Knowledge of or ability to learn CVFF Train-the-Trainer Certification and Situational Leadership II tools.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build relationships across teams, locations, and levels of leadership.

Qualifications

  • Minimum five years of similar or relevant experience, preferably within swine production, agriculture, Continuous Improvement, training and development, operations, or a related environment.
  • Hands-on swine production experience with breeding and farrowing is required.
  • Demonstrated experience training, coaching, and developing employees in breeding, farrowing, and other swine-production processes.
  • Animal Science degree preferred.
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred. Candidates who are not currently certified must be willing and able to complete Green Belt training and certification.
  • Ability to analyze production and performance challenges, interpret data, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
  • Ability to influence without direct authority and effectively lead change across teams.
  • Strong communication, coaching, facilitation, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability and willingness to regularly travel between assigned CVFF swine farms, feed mills, truck washes, and other operational locations.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on agricultural environment, stand for the majority of the workday, and lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to work in barn environments that may include animal dander, manure, dust, blood, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.
  • Availability to work Monday through Friday, with some weekend and holiday work required based on operational needs.
  • Commitment to meeting and exceeding industry standards for animal care and welfare.
  • Bilingual skills are not required. Must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively in a multicultural work environment and adapt communication and training approaches to support team members from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of English proficiency.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to combine your swine production expertise with Continuous Improvement and people development. You’ll work directly with production leaders and farm teams to strengthen breeding and farrowing practices, develop employees, solve operational challenges, and implement improvements across multiple locations.

Your work will directly impact employee growth, animal care and welfare, herd performance, process consistency, and operational success while allowing you to continue developing your expertise in Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

At Country View Family Farms, we are committed to supporting our team members both personally and professionally. Our comprehensive benefits package may include:

  • Competitive compensation and annual bonus opportunities
  • Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) options
  • 401(k) with company match and profit-sharing opportunities
  • Paid time off and paid holidays
  • Company-paid life insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability coverage
  • Educational assistance and professional development opportunities
  • Employee recognition programs
  • Relocation assistance for qualified candidates
  • Company vehicle provided for eligible positions

Benefits may vary based on position and eligibility requirements.

DISCLAIMER

The Team Member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable Team Members with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

As requirements and Team Member skill levels change, the Supervisor may revise and/ or add duties to reflect these changes. The company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS; PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Stationary Position: Must be able to remain in a stationary position for more than 85% of the time.
  • Moving/ Traversing: The person in this position needs to frequently move around the Production areas of the Barns/ Farm and will be moving/ traversing more than 85% of the time to attend to the care needs of the animals.
  • Operating/ Activating/ Using/ Preparing/ Inspecting/ Placing/ Positioning: Frequently utilizes animal movement techniques, breeding or farrowing equipment, etc.
  • Ascend/ Descend/ Traverse: Occasionally ascends/ descends a ladder to work atop equipment
  • Position self to move frequently to position oneself to complete tasks by reaching under/ around animals, into/ out of animal crates/ pens, remove material from the floor/ walls, and assist animals in the farrowing process.
  • Communicate/ Detect/ Identify/ Exchange Information: Constant visual monitoring of sow/ animal health and well-being, frequent communication with Team Members regarding animal movements, health status, task completion, etc. Shares information regarding task completion with Farm management.
  • Move/ Transport/ Install/ Remove: Frequently moves equipment/ animals weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally moves equipment/ animals weighing up to 75 pounds, rarely moves equipment/ animals weighing up to 100 pounds. Frequently transports equipment/ materials/ animals through various areas of the Barn weighing 50 pounds or more. Frequently utilizes personal protective equipment (PPE) including animal sort boards weighing up to 25 pounds and requiring the ability to twist, bend, and maneuver around the body.
  • Work Environment: Frequent exposure to loud noises, dirty/ dusty environments, hot and cold temperatures, outdoor environments, animal dander, manure, blood.

Agency Statement:

Clemens Food Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from search or staffing firms. All resumes submitted by search or staffing firms to any employee at Clemens Food Group via email, the Internet, or directly without a valid written search agreement for this role, and without having been asked to participate in this by Talent Acquisition, will be deemed the sole property of Clemens Food Group, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired. Firms not authorized to submit candidates will not be eligible for any fee or ownership claim.

EEO Statement:

It is the policy of Clemens Food Group to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. All employees are subject to a pre-employment screening process including a background check and drug screen. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to your recruiter.

Clemens Food Group

About Clemens Food Group

Founded in 1895, Clemens Food Group is a sixth-generation, family-owned vertically coordinated pork production operation, with sister organizations that include feed milling, farming, processing, transportation, and logistics. As the fifth largest fresh pork processing company in the U.S., Clemens Food Group focuses on supplying the highest quality products to our partners via a responsive and sustainable system, while also providing advanced solutions that simplify our partners’ operations. Founded on the family values of ethics, integrity and stewardship, Clemens Food Group is deeply committed to animal care, our team members and the communities in which we operate.

For more information, visit https://clemensfoodgroup.com.

Industry
Food & Beverage
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Hatfield, Pennsylvania
Year Founded
1895
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