SUMMARY:
JOB SPECIFICATION
Commercial Layer Department Manager
Role Purpose
Our client is seeking an experienced Commercial Layer Department Manager to lead and optimise all commercial layer operations across multiple production sites. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring world-class flock performance, operational efficiency, biosecurity compliance, animal welfare, and financial performance while providing strong leadership to farm management teams. This role plays a key part in delivering production targets, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring the long-term profitability of the commercial layer business.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Layer Operations
- Lead and oversee all commercial layer rearing and production operations across multiple sites.
- Ensure achievement of key production targets including egg production, bird performance, mortality, uniformity, feed conversion, and egg quality.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve standard operating procedures across all farms.
- Monitor production data, analyse trends, and implement corrective actions where required.
- Coordinate flock placements, transfers, depletion schedules, feed requirements, and production planning.
- Ensure all housing, equipment, and production facilities are maintained to operational standards.
Animal Welfare & Biosecurity
- Maintain high standards of animal welfare across all farming operations.
- Implement and enforce strict biosecurity protocols to minimise disease risk.
- Coordinate vaccination programmes and flock health management with veterinary and technical teams.
- Ensure flock transfers are planned and executed efficiently.
- Monitor compliance with company biosecurity and welfare standards.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop Farm Managers, Supervisors, and operational teams.
- Conduct regular farm visits, performance reviews, and operational audits.
- Develop training programmes covering poultry husbandry, welfare, biosecurity, and leadership.
- Promote a high-performance culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- Manage recruitment, performance management, coaching, disciplinary processes, and succession planning where required.
Financial & Operational Management
- Prepare and manage departmental operating budgets.
- Monitor labour, feed, medication, maintenance, and operational costs.
- Drive cost efficiencies while maintaining production performance and quality standards.
- Produce regular operational, production, and financial reports for senior management.
- Monitor key operational metrics and implement performance improvement initiatives.
Compliance, Safety & Governance
- Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety legislation, environmental requirements, and company policies.
- Support internal and external regulatory audits.
- Manage corrective actions arising from inspections and audits.
- Promote a strong safety culture across all operations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with planning, logistics, hatchery, veterinary, feed, engineering, maintenance, and processing teams.
- Coordinate infrastructure improvements and maintenance planning.
- Support business initiatives that improve operational efficiency and production capacity.
- Maintain effective communication with internal stakeholders and external consultants.
POSITION INFO:
Role Requirements Qualifications Degree or Diploma in Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Agriculture, or a related discipline. Experience Minimum 10 years' experience managing large-scale commercial layer operations. Proven experience managing commercial layer farms with populations exceeding 500,000 hens. Experience managing cage production systems. Demonstrated experience leading large operational teams across multiple sites. Strong experience managing production performance, flock health, budgets, and operational planning. Knowledge & Skills Extensive knowledge of commercial layer production systems. Strong understanding of poultry husbandry, flock management, biosecurity, and animal welfare. Experience analysing production data and implementing performance improvements. Budget management and cost control experience. Excellent leadership, coaching, and people management skills. Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. High attention to detail with a results-driven approach. Ability to work effectively in a demanding operational environment. Should you not receive a response within 10 working days, please consider your application unsuccessful.
