Fish Handling Foreman

Job TitleFish Handling Foreman

DepartmentLake Operations

Reports ToFish Handling Supervisor / Farm Manager

LocationKagano

Contract Type: Full-time, on-site

About Kivu Choice

Kivu Choice is Rwanda’s largest protein producer and one of the fastest-growing aquaculture companies in Africa. Founded in 2022, Kivu Choice is the sister company to Victory Farms, East Africa’s leading aquaculture platform based in Kenya. The company operates a fully vertically integrated aquaculture model, encompassing hatchery operations, cage-based grow-out, processing, distribution, and sales. Kivu Choice is also one of the country’s largest employers, with over 700 employees, and plans to grow to 1,200 employees within the next three years, reflecting its strong commitment to job creation and inclusive economic development. Over the next five years, Kivu Choice aims to scale into Africa’s largest and most sustainable protein producer, producing and distributing 30,000 tons of fish annually for the Rwandan market and for export across the region.

Job Purpose

The fish handling foreman is responsible for supervising and coordinating all fish handling activities, ensuring that fish are handled safely, efficiently, and with minimum stress, injury, or mortality. The role leads the fish handling team during counting, grading, sampling, transfers, stocking, harvesting support, and other fish movement activities while ensuring compliance with company SOPs, biosecurity, health, and safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Fish Handling & Operations

• Supervise and coordinate daily fish handling activities and teams.

• Ensure fish are handled correctly to minimize stress, injury, and mortality.

• Coordinate fish transfers between cages.

• Support grading, sampling, crowding, harvesting, stocking, and emergency fish handling activities.

• Monitor fish condition and promptly report abnormalities, injuries, or unusual mortalities.

• Ensure accurate counting, weighing, and recording of fish and biomass.

• Ensure all fish handling activities are carried out according to approved SOPs and biosecurity requirements.

• Equipment Management

• Ensure proper use and handling of fish handling equipment.

• Ensure nets, tanks, pumps, weighing equipment, and other tools are clean, functional, and properly maintained.

• Identify equipment problems and report them promptly to management.

• Ensure equipment is safely stored and available when required.

• Team Leadership & Supervision

• Allocate duties to team members and monitor their performance.

• Supervise the daily activities and productivity of the fish handling team.

• Train and coach team members on proper fish handling techniques.

• Ensure team members follow company procedures, safety requirements, and biosecurity standards.

• Promote discipline, teamwork, and a safe working environment.

• Fish Welfare & Biosecurity

• Ensure proper fish handling practices are followed to reduce stress and mortality.

• Monitor fish welfare during transfers, grading, harvesting, and other handling activities.

• Ensure compliance with company biosecurity procedures.

• Maintain clean and safe working areas before, during, and after operations.

• Report any incidents or deviations from SOPs to the relevant supervisor or Farm Manager.

• Reporting & Record Keeping

• Record and verify fish numbers, biomass, mortalities, and transfer information.

• Prepare accurate daily reports covering: