Head of Recruitment at The Oval Partnership- UK wide
We are currently working in partnership with Noble Foods to support the recruitment of an exciting new role to the agricultural and farming team.
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.
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.
* 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
* Senior leadership team
* 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr