The Opportunity:

This position is responsible for supporting the day-to-day activities of the poultry veterinary practice, and broader activities at the Maple Leaf Ag-Ops Division. Key responsibilities include sample submission, communication with diagnostic laboratories, vaccine and medication inventory management, purchase order (PO) generation and related SAP transactions, coordination of vaccination and blood sampling procedures, and coordination/communication between veterinarians, departments, producers, and external laboratories.

The Poultry Health & Lab coordinator will also support cross-functional projects, including plant condemnation monitoring, on-farm sampling, blood collection, diagnostic follow-up, data organization, sample treatments, and other poultry health and production initiatives.
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The ideal candidate will have 1-2 years of experience in the food-animal industry, preferably with poultry production, veterinary diagnostics, sample handling, shipping, and timely organization of laboratory results. Candidates with extensive poultry or food animal experience, including foreign-trained veterinarians, with poultry production or diagnostic experience, will be strongly considered.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by June 16. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Complete and maintain veterinary records in accordance with ABVMA requirements
• Support veterinary practice compliance with ABVMA requirements
• Perform in-house projects related to poultry diagnostic, monitoring, and sample collection
• Prepare and coordinate sampling schedule for pullet, broiler breeder, and broiler farms.
• Act as or support Biological Safety Officer function for the poultry laboratory, as required.
• Perform laboratory testing and report results through the Laboratory Information Management System.
• Support oversight of quality management protocols
• Assist the Veterinarian with necropsies, including humane euthanasia of birds when required, collection of organ and tissue samples, and preparation of samples for diagnostic submissions and/or other further testing, or practices.
• Manage disposal of biological waste
• Cleaning and disinfection of biological hazard areas, equipment, and required materials
• Maintain in/out records for samples, submissions, and reports.
• Coordinate sample shipping, prepare laboratory submissions, and reports
• Aseptic preparation of sample kits
• Maintain inventory of supplies and perform SAP transactions, including but not limited to purchase requests, sales orders, receiving, and shipping, as directed.
• Maintain inventory of medications, vaccine, reagents, and other supplies
• Prepare and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the poultry veterinary practice and laboratory, including biological safety procedures and associated training records
• Maintain equipment maintenance logs and complete daily checks.
• Support prescription preparation under veterinary direction
• Schedule farm visits and coordinate required logistics
• Support Quality Assurance (QA) programs, and biosecurity protocols
• Assist with data entry and analysis, including pathogen results, farm trial performance results, and routine sampling results
• Perform sampling and environmental monitoring procedures in poultry barns, if required
• Assist with training and/or on-site verification of sampling procedures when required
• Type and compile meeting notes, visit notes, and summaries for distribution to the broader team.

What You’ll Bring:

• One to two years of relevant experience, preferably in the poultry or food animal industry
• Experience in poultry production, food animal lab diagnostics, or veterinary support roles are preferred. Foreign-trained veterinarians with experience in poultry production are encouraged to apply.
• Comfortable handling poultry, including live birds, carcasses, organs, tissues, and diagnostic samples.
• Willing and able to perform humane euthanasia of birds when required, under veterinary direction and in accordance with approved animal welfare protocols

Required Skills & Knowledge:

• Experience in veterinary practice, animal health, or food animal production
• Lab experience, especially in the area of Microbiology, sampling handling, or diagnostic testing.
• Understanding of animal welfare, humane euthanasia, necropsy procedures, biological safety, and biosecurity principles, or willingness to be trained in these areas.
• Ability to organize, interpret, and summarize results to support recommendations and continuous improvement opportunities
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft office, and Excel. Experience with SAP or another ERP system is considered an asset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with veterinarians, producers, laboratories, and internal departments
• Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us:

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf®, Schneiders®, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

We’re a global food company with approximately 10,000 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values-based culture

Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at accommodations@mapleleaf.com.

Disclaimer:  Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board.  Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.