About the job Nursery Manager
We are seeking a Nursery Manager to focus on improving the efficiency and quality of our Lake Operations farming (Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus) large-scale rearing of aquatic species at juvenile size, focusing on maximizing yield, optimizing Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR), and maintaining fish health.
Key Responsibilities & Critical Success Measures
Feed Management
Provide operational leadership for all feeding activities, with overall accountability for supervisors and feeders.
Plan, manage, and control the feeding budget, including feed forecasts, daily consumption, and variance tracking against approved budgets.
Ensure compliance with feeding protocols, including correct pellet sizing, optimal feed quantities, accurate daily feed records, and timely submission of feed requests.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to minimise feed wastage, reduce feed costs, and optimise feed efficiency across all cages Counting
Oversees the fish counting and transferring from nursery cages into grow out and has overall responsibility for the counting team
Schedules a cage stocking plan according to the budget stocking number and monitors reporting and data collection
Responsible for calibration, accuracy, care and maintenance of equipment
Ensures that stock is counted and reconciled according to the weekly plan
Oversees the seining process Responsible for ensuring that SOPs are upheld for the counting process.
Sampling
Oversees the fish sampling ABWs from nursery cages into grow out
Responsible for ensuring that SOPs are upheld and the process of sampling is accurate.
Makes a weekly sampling plan and debriefs the team
Responsible for equipment care and maintenance
Overall responsibility for managing the sampling team
Monitor daily,weekly and monthly reporting for accuracy
Waste Management
Assume full managerial accountability for waste management processes, including the collection, counting, and recording of mortalities.
Manage budgeted resources related to waste handling and consumables, including controls for the reconciliation and accountability of empty feed sacks and related materials.
People Management and Leadership
Develop and manage the sections manpower budget, ensuring optimal staffing levels, efficient deployment of labour, and control of overtime and related costs.
Lead, develop, and implement structured training programmes within approved training budgets, focused on best-practice feeding, fish handling, biosecurity, and stress reduction.
Manage workforce planning, deployment, and performance evaluation of feeders and supervisors to ensure productivity targets are met within budget.
Oversee the capture, analysis, and communication of performance data from closed cages to support operational and financial decision-making.
Act as the first point of escalation for employee relations matters, including dispute resolution, grievance handling, and employee engagement.
Manage leave planning, enforce compliance with health and safety requirements, ensure regular safety briefings are conducted, and uphold company policies, procedures, and disciplinary processes.
Quality, Performance, and Productivity
Take full responsibility for achieving targeted growth rates and feed conversion ratios (FCR) in line with approved operational and cost budgets.
Monitor and analyse cage and unit performance against production and cost targets, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions.
Monitor fish health, feeding behaviour, and growth trends, promptly escalating risks that may impact productivity or budget performance.
Evaluate feed quality and performance, ensuring timely reporting and cost recovery actions in cases of substandard feed.
Water Quality Management
Oversee water quality monitoring programmes, ensuring efficient use of resources within budget constraints.
Ensure accurate monitoring and reporting of key parameters, including dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature, and implement corrective actions when DO levels fall below 2.5 mg/l to prevent stock losses and financial impact.
Use water quality and performance data to inform operational planning and budget forecasting.