Overview

The General Manager – Agriculture is responsible for ensuring operational excellence across the company’s egg production facilities. This role leads and holds responsibility for the development and implementation of long-term plans to enhance bird welfare, productivity, and sustainability, while also overseeing day-to-day farm operations to maintain high standards of performance, compliance, and efficiency. The position plays a key role in driving innovation, optimising resources, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Reports to: Director of Agriculture

About the Role

Key Accountabilities

Leadership and Planning

• Develop and execute long-term strategies to enhance egg production efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.

• Provide visionary leadership to farm managers and operational teams, ensuring alignment with broader department goals, organisational objectives, and industry trends.

Operational Management

• Hold accountability and lead the daily operations of multiple laying hen facilities, ensuring adherence to best practices in poultry husbandry and production.

• Take ownership, drive and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as egg production, feed consumption, mortality, overall flock health, and performance.

Compliance and Animal Welfare

• Ensure full compliance with animal welfare legislation, biosecurity protocols, and environmental standards, embedding these into both planning and daily routines.

• Manage and maintain certifications, ensuring audit readiness and adherence to evolving regulatory requirements.

Team Leadership and Development

• Build and mentor a high-performing farm leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous learning.

• Facilitate training programs to enhance both technical expertise and leadership capabilities within the team.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Leverage farm management systems and data analytics to inform strategic decisions and optimise operational performance.

• Produce and present regular performance reports and insights to senior leadership, supporting transparency and informed decision-making.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal departments such as supply chain, commercial, and sustainability teams to ensure alignment between production and market needs.

• Represent the organisation in industry forums, regulatory engagements, and stakeholder meetings.

Shared Accountabilities

Health & Safety Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate the health and safety policies and procedures.

• Provide feedback to shape the strategic direction and vision for the health and safety culture and objectives.

• Allocate resources for health and safety activities and initiatives.

• Ensure that team leaders and team members comply with health and safety legislation and standards; review and evaluate health and safety risks and control measures in the work area and make improvements.

• Communicate and consult with managers, team leaders, team members, and other stakeholders on health and safety matters.

• Audit and report the health and safety performance of the work area to senior management and external authorities where required.

Social & Environmental Responsibilities

• Set clear and measurable social and environmental objectives and targets for your area and align them with the company's vision and values.

• Monitor and evaluate the social and environmental performance and impact of your area and report on progress and challenges.

• Allocate resources and provide support and guidance to your team leaders and staff to enable them to deliver on their social and environmental responsibilities.

About You

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Strong knowledge of animal welfare standards, biosecurity protocols, and environmental regulations.

• Familiarity with farm management systems, farming technologies, and data analytics tools.

• Understanding of supply chain dynamics and how production aligns with market demand.

• Proven experience in leading multi-site agricultural or livestock operations.

• Strong people management skills, with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop high-performing teams.

• Experience in change management and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to manage KPIs such as egg production, feed efficiency, flock health, and mortality.

• Experience in implementing and maintaining quality assurance and compliance frameworks.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational issues.

• Experience in developing and executing long-term strategies to improve productivity, sustainability, and profitability.

• Ability to translate organisational goals into actionable farm-level plans.

• Track record of driving innovation and adopting new technologies or practices in agricultural settings.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal teams, senior leadership, regulators, and industry stakeholders.

• Experience representing an organisation in external forums, audits, and regulatory discussions.

Personal Attributes

• Ensures teams come together for regular briefings.

• Takes ownership for holding themselves and the team accountable for the What and the How.

• Is courageous and makes difficult decisions in challenging circumstances using data and/or sound thought processes.

• Is an ambassador for action, demonstrating speed and integrity in everything they do.

• Builds trust in the team by demonstrating genuine care and respect for each other and for everyone’s point of view.

• Strives for excellence, bringing the strategy, purpose, and values to life and engaging their team.

Key Stakeholders

• Agriculture leadership team

• Wider agriculture department

• Senior leadership team

• Wider internal departments

• Genetic companies

• Relevant Government Departments and NGOs (e.g. APHA, BEIC, and RSPCA)

• Customers

If you are a dynamic, results-driven leader with a passion for operational excellence, we encourage you to apply for this exciting position.  Please get in touch for more information or apply with your CV today.