Freshwater Aquaculture Supply Manager

Apet inc. • Full-time • East Dundee, Illinois, United States • USD $25 / hour • 2w ago

About the Role

We are seeking a knowledgeable and hands-on Freshwater Aquatics professional who is passionate about fish health, water-quality management, and building strong relationships with the producers who supply our live animals. In this role, you will work closely with freshwater aquatic producers to ensure we receive healthy, high-quality species that align with our company’s standards.

This role requires real experience in freshwater ecosystems, species care, fish husbandry, biosecurity practices, and water parameter testing. Your work directly contributes to our mission of delivering Perfect Product and Perfect Service to our customers.

Key Responsibilities

Apply advanced knowledge of freshwater species, fish health, water parameters, system requirements, and husbandry to evaluate and improve supplier performance.
Monitor and assess species quality, acclimation practices, mortality trends, and environmental conditions with producers.
Build and maintain strong relationships with freshwater fish farms, hatcheries, and producers
Understand each producer’s production capabilities, seasonal cycles, species output, and limitations.
Identify potential future supply gaps and communicate risks to management.
Establish relationships with new producers that add value and expand our freshwater offerings.
Ensure producers meet expectations for species quality, health, consistency, and water-quality management.
Support root-cause analysis and corrective-action plans when quality concerns arise.
Coordinate shipments and consolidate orders efficiently while ensuring livestock arrives in optimal condition.
Maintain facility equipment and aquatic systems to support healthy livestock.
Stay aware of state regulations regarding restricted or banned freshwater species.
Travel overseas at least once per year and to Florida at least once per year to visit producers.
Follow company policies and uphold our standards of Perfect Product and Perfect Service.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Skills

Extensive knowledge of freshwater fish species, aquatics systems, water-quality parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, oxygen, temperature), feeding requirements, and husbandry protocols.
Experience working in aquaculture, fish farms, hatcheries, aquatics retail, aquariums, or aquatic research facilities.
Strong background in quality control, audits, or continuous improvement.
Experience communicating with or managing relationships with producers, suppliers, farms, or aquatic operations.
Ability to analyze supply trends, anticipate shortages, and communicate risks clearly.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

This role is perfect for you if you:

Love working with freshwater species
Understand how water quality impacts health and survival
Have experience with fish farmers, hatcheries, or aquatics facilities
Can spot a quality issue before it becomes a problem
Enjoy traveling to producers and evaluating their systems
Want to make an impact in the freshwater supply chain

Apet considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, national origin, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, military status, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal law. Apet also provides “reasonable accommodations” to qualified individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and any applicable state and local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off

Application Question(s):

What freshwater species have you worked with directly?
Have you worked in aquaculture, a fish farm, hatchery, aquarium facility, or aquatic retail operation? If yes, describe your role.
Do you have experience evaluating fish health, handling mortality, or assessing quality issues in freshwater livestock?

Experience: