What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Veterinary Services position at Pork Partners / Hancock Pork?
About the Role
The Head of Veterinary Services serves as the senior veterinary leader for Pork Partners and is responsible for the strategic direction of animal health, herd health, biosecurity, disease prevention, and animal welfare across the organization's swine production system.
This highly visible leadership role partners closely with Production Leadership to protect herd health, strengthen production performance, and drive continuous improvement across the organization. As the primary veterinary authority for Pork Partners, this individual will lead herd health initiatives, guide disease prevention efforts, oversee veterinary standards, and provide leadership for major biosecurity and infrastructure projects, including filtration system implementation efforts designed to safeguard herd health and support long-term operational success.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the senior veterinary leader for Pork Partners, establishing vision, strategy, and priorities for veterinary services across the organization.
- Lead herd health, disease prevention, biosecurity, and animal welfare programs across sow farms, nurseries, finishing sites, and other production facilities.
- Direct major veterinary, biosecurity, and infrastructure initiatives, including filtration system implementation projects designed to strengthen disease prevention and protect herd health.
- Develop and oversee vaccination programs, treatment protocols, medication stewardship practices, and disease prevention strategies.
- Lead veterinary response efforts during disease events, including diagnostics, investigations, treatment plans, containment measures, and recovery efforts.
- Utilize herd health, mortality, diagnostic, and production data to identify trends, guide decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to Production Leadership, providing veterinary expertise that supports operational performance and long-term business objectives.
- Collaborate with nutrition, transportation, maintenance, farm management, and veterinary teams to advance animal health and production outcomes.
- Develop employees and leaders through training and coaching related to herd health, animal welfare, biosecurity, and best veterinary practices.
- Ensure compliance with veterinary, medication, food safety, and regulatory requirements while promoting innovation and continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree required.
- Veterinary licensure or eligibility for licensure preferred.
- Experience in commercial swine production, herd health management, production medicine, or veterinary leadership.
- Strong knowledge of swine health, disease prevention, biosecurity, and animal welfare.
- Experience leading complex initiatives and driving organizational change.
- Ability to influence decisions and build relationships across multiple functions.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic-thinking skills.
- Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
- Ability to balance veterinary recommendations with operational and business considerations.
- Commitment to animal health, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Pork Partners Offers
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits with eligibility on date of hire
- 401(k) (Traditional and Roth options) with generous company match
- Three Weeks Paid Time Off in the first year
- Company-Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- Competitive Compensation
- On-Staff Life Coach
- Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement Plans
- Access to Beachfront Company Condo in Fort Myers, Florida
Works Closely With
- Production Leadership
- Director of Sow Farms
- Director of Finishing
- Veterinary Team
- Farm Managers
- Nutrition Team
- Transportation Team
- Maintenance Leadership