Senior Director Global Genetic Operations- Cobb

Job Details:

Position Summary

The Senior Director, Global Genetic Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Cobb's global pedigree production network, Proving Grounds validation platform, and the deployment of elite genetic material throughout Cobb's global production system.

This position is accountable for ensuring genetic progress is created, validated, scaled, protected, and delivered across the enterprise. The role connects Research & Development, Genetics, Global Production, Product Development, Technical Service, Commercial leadership, and regional business teams so future genetic products move efficiently from selection programs through validation and into global multiplication and commercial production.

As a member of the Research & Development leadership team, this position reports directly to Cobb's Vice President of Research & Development and is accountable for genetic program execution, commercial pipeline readiness, genetic integrity, supply continuity, biosecurity, animal welfare, operational performance, talent development, and financial stewardship.

Essential Functions

Genetic Progress & Pedigree Operations

• Lead global pedigree operations to achieve genetic progress and breeding program objectives.
• Develop and lead Pedigree Complex Managers, ensuring consistent performance, accountability, and operating standards.
• Partner with Genetics, Data Science, and Research to improve selection accuracy, data quality, biological performance, and genetic gain.
• Optimize pedigree capacity, flock flow, population structure, resources, productivity, technology, and cost effectiveness.
• Maintain genetic integrity, traceability, data accuracy, and security across breeding operations.

Proving Grounds Strategy, Validation & Commercial Readiness

• Lead the strategy and execution of Cobb’s Proving Grounds product validation and commercialization platform.
• Ensure capabilities, facilities, technology, and infrastructure support future research and product needs.
• Oversee validation of emerging products to assess biological performance, management requirements, operational risk, and commercial readiness.
• Translate validation results into actionable recommendations for product selection, positioning, customer guidance, and commercialization.
• Partner across R&D, Operations, Technical Service, Commercial, and regional teams to accelerate product readiness and reduce launch risk.

Genetic Deployment & Global Production Alignment

• Partner with Global Production & Planning to optimize the flow of genetic material through pedigree, GGP, GP, & PS systems.
• Support long-range capacity planning, product transitions, geographic deployment, and production readiness.
• Identify supply, capacity, health, and continuity risks and establish appropriate mitigation plans.
• Maintain alignment between R&D priorities, production capabilities, and commercial pipeline requirements.

Biosecurity, Animal Welfare, Safety & Genetic Security

• Maintain rigorous biosecurity, animal welfare, safety, and genetic security standards.

• Protect critical breeding populations, intellectual property, validation data, and elite genetic assets.

• Establish business continuity and disease-risk mitigation plans for critical populations and facilities.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulatory and environmental requirements.

Leadership & Talent

• Build, develop, and retain a strong leadership team across pedigree operations and Proving Grounds.
• Establish succession and development plans for critical roles.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Lead effectively across functions, regions, and cultures.

Financial, Capital & Performance Stewardship

• Manage operating and capital budgets for global pedigree operations and Proving Grounds.
• Prioritize facility, technology, infrastructure, and automation investments aligned with strategic objectives.
• Monitor operational, biological, financial, safety, welfare, and project performance.
• Provide clear reporting, risk escalation, and strategic recommendations to R&D leadership.

Key Working Relationships

• Genetics and Data Science
• Global Production
• Product Development
• Technical Service and Commercial teams
• Veterinary Services, Animal Welfare, Quality, Engineering, Finance, IT, and regional leadership
• Cobb Planning

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Poultry Science, Animal Science, Agriculture, Biology, Veterinary Science, or a related field required. Advanced degree preferred. Relevant equivalent experience may be considered.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in poultry breeder management, pedigree production, research operations, product validation, or a related area.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-site operations and geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience supporting genetic improvement, elite population management, production planning, and commercial product deployment.
• Experience managing budgets, capital programs, organizational change, and strategic initiatives.
• Experience working in highly biosecure animal production environments.

Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

• Strong understanding of poultry breeding, pedigree operations, genetic multiplication, breeder management, and commercial production.
• Ability to translate genetic, biological, operational, and financial data into business decisions.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, risk management, and change leadership.
• Proven ability to develop talent and influence across functions, regions, and levels of the organization.
• Strong executive communication and organizational leadership skills.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Directly leads six leadership positions with overall responsibility for several hundred employees across pedigree operations, Proving Grounds, and supporting functions.

Travel & Working Environment

• Regular domestic travel is required, primarily within the southeastern United States, with ongoing collaboration across Cobb’s global operations.
• This role requires occasional work in farm, hatchery, laboratory, and other operational environments. Team members must comply with all required safety, biosecurity, PPE, avian contact, and animal welfare requirements. The position may require shower-in/shower-out procedures and occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Travel: 40%

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Work Shift:

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We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more.

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