Farm Manager - Poultry

Accuri; Marlborough; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural business in Marlborough, UK, is seeking an experienced Farm Manager to oversee a poultry unit's full operations. The role demands leadership for flock performance and compliance with welfare standards while ensuring accurate records are maintained. Ideal candidates will have proven experience managing poultry units and strong knowledge of relevant industry standards. This offers a competitive salary with on-site accommodation, emphasizing autonomy and operational excellence.

Benefits

Competitive salary

On-site accommodation

Autonomy to run the unit

Long-term stability

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a poultry unit (broilers, breeders, or layers).
• Confident people manager with a hands-on, visible leadership style.
• Comfortable using performance data to drive practical action.

Responsibilities

• Manage the poultry unit and flock lifecycle.
• Achieve flock KPIs including mortality and growth.
• Lead and develop farm staff.

Skills

Experience managing a poultry unit

Strong knowledge of Red Tractor standards

People management

Attention to detail

Flexible working approach

Education

Agricultural, animal science, or poultry-related qualification

Job description

We are recruiting an experienced Farm Manager to take full operational responsibility for a retailer-facing poultry unit in Wiltshire. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role with clear accountability for flock performance, welfare, compliance, and people management.

Key Responsibilities

• Full day-to-day management of the poultry unit and flock lifecycle
• Deliver flock KPIs including mortality, growth, FCR, welfare outcomes, and bird quality
• Maintain exemplary stockmanship standards aligned to retailer expectations
• Ensure continuous compliance with Red Tractor, welfare legislation, and retailer-specific standards
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready records across bird health, medicines, biosecurity, and environmental controls
• Lead and host retailer, assurance, veterinary, and customer audits with confidence
• Lead, train, and develop farm staff and relief teams
• Set rotas, manage performance, and maintain a disciplined, welfare-led culture
• Embed a “right-first-time” mindset across health, safety, and compliance
• Enforce strict biosecurity protocols at all times
• Work closely with vets, nutritionists, and technical managers to optimise flock outcomes
• Proactively identify and resolve health, welfare, or environmental risks
• Oversee housing, equipment, and general site standards
• Ensure the unit is inspection-ready at all times
• Identify maintenance or capital requirements early and accelerate appropriately
• Monitor performance data and report accurately and on time
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance welfare, efficiency, and cost control
• Contribute operational insight into wider business decision-making

About You

You're practical, accountable, and commercially switched on. You understand that retailer compliance is non-negotiable—and that welfare and performance go hand in hand.

Essential

• Proven experience managing a poultry unit (broilers, breeders, or layers)
• Strong working knowledge of Red Tractor and retailer assurance standards
• Confident people manager with a hands-on, visible leadership style
• High attention to detail and pride in operational standards
• Flexible approach to working hours aligned to livestock needs

Desirable

• Agricultural, animal science, or poultry-related qualification
• Experience supplying into major UK retailers
• Comfortable using performance data to drive practical action

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• On-site accommodation included
• Autonomy to run the unit to high standards
• Long-term stability within a professionally managed, forward-thinking agricultural business

Why This Role Works

This is a serious poultry role for someone who wants real responsibility, not box-ticking theatre. If you take pride in birds, people, and standards—and want the backing to do things properly—this role delivers