Research Site Manager

Christensen Farms is one of the largest, family‑owned pork producers in the United States, marketing approximately 3 million hogs per year. Headquartered in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, our 50‑year‑old company operates throughout the Midwest with facilities in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota. Christensen Farms owns three feed mills, manages 140,000 sows on 44 farms, and oversees more than 350 nurseries and grow‑finish sites.

Our organization employs nearly 1,000 people and maintains 1,500 contract partnerships. We are an industry leader with a proven commitment to ethical practices, food safety, and nutrition. Join our team!

The Research Site Manager will lead operations at a state‑of‑the‑art nursery research facility. In this role, you will implement research protocols, manage daily production activities, maintain high‑quality data collection, and oversee site readiness, equipment functionality, and animal care. You will work closely with research specialists to ensure trials are executed with precision and that facilities operate safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with biosecurity and research standards.

• Execute research protocols with precision, ensuring accurate measurements, data tracking, and consistent trial conditions.
• Manage daily barn operations, including feed ordering, supply management, medication planning, environmental monitoring, and site preparation.
• Maintain research equipment, ensure accurate animal weighing, and oversee use of automated feeding and data‑capture technology.
• Supervise swine research specialists, ensuring exceptional pig care, strong communication, and high‑quality research output.
• Maintain biosecurity protocols, environmental controls, and facility cleanliness, coordinating repairs and maintenance with the M&R team.
• Collect, organize, and input research data, performing basic analysis and reporting trial information accurately and on schedule.
• Manage pig flow activities including loading/unloading, allotting pigs to trials, and supporting accurate phenotypic and group evaluations.
• Communicate effectively with the research manager, research specialists, and other site managers regarding scheduling, issues, trial status, and operational needs.

• Bachelor's degree preferred; 1-3 years of livestock or swine production experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with research protocols, trial execution, or data collection is a plus.
• Comfort working with Excel and basic data‑management tools.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to follow structured processes and maintain accuracy in all reporting.
• Ability to lead, train, and supervise staff while fostering a culture of exceptional animal care and data quality.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to perform hands‑on production tasks, including weighing, sorting, and treating animals.
• Commitment to biosecurity, safety, and consistent execution of company protocols and values.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.

• Take advantage of hands‑on leadership opportunities, ongoing training and clear career advancement paths within a collaborative team environment that values hard work, accountability, and personal growth across all levels of farm operations.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, a flexible spending account (FSA), life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, paid time off bank, an employee assistance program (EAP), and more.
• Be an active part of an organization that gives back to the community in many ways - including feed programs that support local farms, food shelf programs, food support for veterans, agriculture education and promotion, FFA/4H support, charitable contributions, etc.
• A company that has a passionate purpose for food safety, animal welfare, and for living its core values every day - respect, integrity, excellence, adaptability, and innovation.
• A culture that fosters employee growth, hybrid work options,…