Farm Operative - Walcott Farm

Noble Foods Ltd; Metheringham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime paid 1.25x basic rate

Free hot drinks on shift

Service Awards

Enhanced paternity/maternity

Free life insurance

Enhanced sick pay

Perkbox discounts

Discounted eggs and chicken

Bonus after 6 months service

Job summary

Noble Foods is seeking a Farm Operative to support the day-to-day running of our egg‑laying farm. You will work around poultry houses, caring for layer hens, monitoring welfare, and assisting with egg collection and production recording.

You'll follow strict biosecurity, maintain cleanliness, manage feed and equipment checks, and help with site maintenance as directed by the Farm Manager. The role suits practical, detail‑oriented team players who value welfare and high standards.

Qualifications

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in a farm environment, on your feet for long periods.
• Works well within a team.
• Good communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the daily care of layer hens, ensuring their health and welfare.
• Monitor birds for signs of illness, injury, or behavioural changes and report concerns to the Farm Manager.
• Support daily egg collection, grading, and recording of production figures.
• Help maintain correct lighting, ventilation, and temperature conditions in poultry houses.
• Follow strict biosecurity procedures, including changing clothing, footwear, and using disinfection areas correctly.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness in poultry houses and surrounding areas.
• Check feed levels and report shortages or issues to the Farm Manager.
• Carry out routine cleaning of equipment, walkways, nest boxes, and egg belts.
• Accurately record egg numbers, floor eggs, mortality, and other daily data as required.
• Carry out basic equipment checks and report faults or repairs needed.
• Carry out whole site maintenance and range management as directed by the farm management team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Farm environment

Team player

Good communication

Job description

Noble Foods Home of the Happy Egg Co.

Noble Foods is a family-owned company which began in 1920 and includes successful milling, poultry, agriculture, and consumer foods businesses. Within this, Noble Foods owns several successful brands, including the UK’s biggest free‑range egg brand the Happy Egg co., Big & Fresh and Purely Organic. In a recent survey by Best Companies we were rated as one of the Top 10 companies to work for in the Food and Drink industry.

What are we looking for?

The Farm Operative supports the daily running of an egg‑laying poultry farm by carrying out routine tasks to maintain bird health, maximise egg production, and ensure high standards of welfare, hygiene, and biosecurity. This role involves working in and around the poultry houses, monitoring the flock, maintaining equipment, collecting eggs, and following farm procedures to help achieve production targets.

About The Role

Key Accountabilities of the role – IT: What I do

• Flock Care and Egg Production
  • Assist with the daily care of layer hens, ensuring their health and welfare.
  • Monitor birds for signs of illness, injury, or behavioural changes and report concerns to the Farm Manager.
  • Support daily egg collection, grading, and recording of production figures.
  • Help maintain correct lighting, ventilation, and temperature conditions in poultry houses.
• Biosecurity and Animal Welfare
  • Follow strict biosecurity procedures, including changing clothing, footwear, and using disinfection areas correctly.
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness in poultry houses and surrounding areas.
  • Handle birds safely and in line with welfare guidelines.
• Feed and Nutrition Management
  • Check feed levels and report shortages or issues to the Farm Manager.
  • Assist with the safe handling and storage of feed supplies.
  • Ensure feeding and drinking systems are functioning correctly.
• Farm Hygiene and Cleaning
  • Carry out routine cleaning of equipment, walkways, nest boxes, and egg belts.
  • Support washout and preparation of poultry houses between flocks.
• Record Keeping and Reporting
  • Accurately record egg numbers, floor eggs, mortality, and other daily data as required.
  • Use manual logs or digital tools in line with farm procedures.
• Facility and Equipment Management
  • Carry out basic equipment checks and report faults or repairs needed.
  • Assist with routine maintenance tasks to keep the farm running smoothly.
• Site management and maintenance
  • Carry out whole site maintenance and range management as directed by the farm management team.

Shared Accountabilities – Making It Better Together US

Health & Safety responsibilities

• Follow the health and safety policies and procedures.
• Report any hazards, incidents, or injuries to the team leader or manager.
• Use the personal protective equipment and clothing provided.
• Cooperate with the team leader or manager on health and safety matters.
• Participate in health and safety training and induction.

Social & Environmental responsibilities

• Demonstrate awareness of the social and environmental impact of your work and strive to minimise any negative effects.
• Follow the company's policies and guidelines on sustainability, ethics, diversity and inclusion, and health and safety.
• Support your team members and collaborate with other colleagues to achieve the company's social and environmental goals.
• Seek opportunities to learn and improve your skills and knowledge on social and environmental issues relevant to your role.

About You: How I do it ME

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Excellent attention to detail
• Comfortable working in a farm environment, on your feet for long periods.
• Works well within a team.
• Good communication skills

Personal attributes

• Works Together and collaborates with others to complete tasks and solve problems
• Takes Ownership for the quality and timeliness of their work
• Is Courageous and does what they know is right even if its uncomfortable
• Takes Action and does everything in their ability to deliver what has been promised
• Contributes to a trusting team by treating everyone with Respect and showing kindness to all colleagues
• Strives for Excellence and takes every opportunity to learn new skills

Key Stakeholders

• Wider agriculture department
• Wider internal departments

We believe the most successful teams are formed from a diverse talent pool and we strive to employ a wide variety of individuals in our business, selecting the best qualified person for each role regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristics.

What can we offer you?

• Overtime undertaken is payable at 1.25 of basic rate
• Free hot drinks on shift
• Service Awards
• Enhanced paternity and maternity
• Free life insurance
• Enhanced Sick Pay Scheme
• Access to Perkbox with a variety of discounts including a monthly freebie from Greggs or Café Nero
• Discounted eggs and chicken
• A Celebration day after 1 years service enjoy an extra day off to celebrate a life event, such as your birthday
• Access to DigiCare + - Annual Health Check, Digital GP Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Health Opinion and Mental Health Consultations.
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Free Eye Test every two years
• Discounted mobile phone contracts
• Share in our success with the People Partnership - after 6 months service you will be eligible for a yearly bonus
• Additional Allowances for First Aiders and Mental Health First Aiders
• Wellness programme
• Employee Charity Matching Scheme

If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.