HATCHERY FARM MANAGER AT LAJ AQUACULTURE & FARMACOLOGY | FARM MANAGER JOBS IN KADUNA

About Company:

LAJ-AQUACULTURE & FARMACOLOGY is a dynamic agricultural and aquaculture-focused organisation dedicated to advancing sustainable farming practices and innovations in farmaceutical (farming + pharmaceutical) solutions. Mission To create innovative farming systems that provide sustainable fish farming, crop production, and organic health products.

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled and scientifically curious Hatchery Farm Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our African catfish hatchery. This is a unique hybrid role that blends high-level practical farming with academic instruction and leadership. As the farm is a research and training institution, you will not only produce high-quality fingerlings but also mentor the next generation of aquaculture professionals.

The ideal candidate understands that a modern farm must be both scientifically rigorous and commercially sustainable. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle within the hatchery, from broodstock management to sales preparation, while upholding the highest standards of biosecurity and operational efficiency.

Requirements:

Hatchery & Nursery Production

• Broodstock Care: Manage the daily feeding, health monitoring, and maturity checks of broodstock, ensuring humane handling and meticulous spawning history records.

• Induced Breeding: Execute the full breeding process, including egg handling, incubation, and fry care, with a specific focus on water quality, temperature, and oxygen levels.

• Fingerling Management: Lead regular grading and sorting to reduce cannibalism and size disparity, managing the transition from fry to nursery ponds at the 4-week mark.

• Waste Reduction: Apply Lean Production and "Toyota Way" principles to minimize mortality, optimize feed use, and improve overall operational reliability.

Teaching & Student Mentorship

• Instruction: Deliver weekly lectures and practical demonstrations to SIWES students (Federal University of Lafia) and TVET vocational trainees.

• Digital Learning: Teach online via Zoom or Google Meet and support the creation of recorded instructional content.

• Supervision: Oversee students during practical fieldwork, maintaining attendance records and conducting performance assessments.

Biosecurity & Reporting

• Compliance: Enforce strict biosecurity rules, including equipment disinfection and disease prevention protocols.

• Incident Management: Report any abnormal fish behavior, equipment failure, or biosecurity breaches to management within one hour of occurrence.

• Technical Documentation: Maintain accurate records of hatch rates, survival rates, growth metrics, and stock movements.

Business & Revenue Support

• Financial Literacy: Support the farm’s profitability through accurate tracking of feed costs, sales, and cash flow.

• Market Support: Coordinate with partners in Kaduna, Lafia, and Abuja to achieve monthly revenue targets for fingerlings, juveniles, and processed fish.

Qualifications and Skills:

Essential:

• Education: Degree or HND in Fisheries, Aquaculture, Animal Science, Agriculture, or a related biological field.

• Experience: At least 2 years of practical experience specifically in an African catfish hatchery.

• Technical Skills: Proven ability in induced breeding, fry care, and grading.

• Soft Skills: Strong record-keeping, independent reporting, and the ability to teach/supervise students.

• Mindset: A commitment to continuous learning, ethical farming, and scientific inquiry.

Desirable:

• Experience with TVET or SIWES vocational programmes.

• Knowledge of Lean Management or the Toyota Production System.

• Experience in fish marketing or sales distribution.

• Proficiency with online teaching platforms (Zoom/Google Meet).

Salary

Application Closing Date: Not specified

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should send their CV and a brief covering email explaining their suitability for the role to: Email: drajah@lajacademy.co.uk Cc: psonthelegend@gmail.com

Please use the subject line: Application for Hatchery Farm Manager Position

Applications should include:

• Updated CV 
• Brief cover email 
• Evidence of relevant hatchery experience, where available 
• Copies of relevant qualifications, if requested