Operations Manager - Poultry

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading poultry manufacturer seeking an experienced and results-driven

Poultry Operations Manager

to oversee and optimise day-to-day production operations. This is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring operational excellence, maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, food safety, quality, productivity, and regulatory compliance across poultry processing operations.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record in poultry manufacturing or food production, with strong leadership capabilities and a continuous improvement mindset. This role offers the opportunity to lead large operational teams while driving efficiency, performance, and sustainable growth within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead all day-to-day poultry processing and manufacturing operations to ensure production targets, quality standards, and customer requirements are consistently achieved.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to maximise efficiency, throughput, yield, and profitability.
• Ensure production schedules are executed effectively while minimising downtime and waste.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to deliver business objectives and continuous operational improvements.

Production Management

• Oversee all stages of poultry processing, including receiving, processing, packing, chilling, storage, and dispatch.
• Ensure production capacity aligns with customer demand while maintaining cost control.
• Optimise labour utilisation, equipment performance, and production workflows.
• Drive lean manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement projects to improve productivity and reduce operational costs.

Food Safety, Quality \& Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all food safety regulations, quality assurance standards, and company procedures.
• Maintain compliance with HACCP, BRCGS, GMP, health and safety legislation, and all relevant industry regulations.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance teams to investigate non-conformances and implement preventative actions.
• Ensure all audits, inspections, and regulatory requirements are successfully managed.

Animal Welfare

• Ensure the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained throughout operations.
• Monitor compliance with welfare legislation and company welfare protocols.
• Support training and continuous improvement initiatives relating to ethical handling practices.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop production managers, supervisors, and operational teams.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous development.
• Conduct performance reviews, succession planning, and employee development programmes.
• Manage recruitment, workforce planning, and employee relations in partnership with HR.

Health \& Safety

• Promote a proactive safety culture across all operational areas.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and company policies.
• Conduct risk assessments, accident investigations, and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Drive behavioural safety initiatives to reduce workplace incidents.

Financial \& Commercial Performance

• Manage departmental budgets and operational expenditure.
• Monitor production costs, labour efficiency, yields, and operational performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability through process optimisation and cost reduction initiatives.
• Support capital investment projects and equipment upgrades.

Stakeholder Management

• Work collaboratively with Planning, Engineering, Technical, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, HR, and Commercial teams.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities where required.
• Provide regular operational reporting to senior management.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Significant management experience within poultry processing, poultry manufacturing, or large-scale food manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading high-volume manufacturing operations.
• Strong understanding of poultry production processes and operational best practice.
• Demonstrated success in delivering operational improvements and efficiency gains.
• Experience managing large multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing budgets and delivering financial performance.

Technical Knowledge

• HACCP principles.
• BRCGS Food Safety Standards.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Health \& Safety legislation.
• Animal Welfare regulations.
• Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
• Continuous Improvement techniques.
• Production planning and capacity management.

Leadership Skills

• Strong people management and coaching abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness.
• Data-driven decision maker.
• Highly organised with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong change management capability.

Qualifications

Desirable:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Food Science, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• HACCP qualification.
• Food Safety certification.
• NEBOSH or IOSH qualification.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (desirable).