Livestock Operations Manager

Aspen People; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading livestock auction business seeks a Livestock Operations Manager to lead the yard team at their Carlisle site. This pivotal role involves overseeing operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and maintaining high standards of animal welfare and customer service. The ideal candidate will have strong livestock handling experience and leadership skills, making it an excellent opportunity for career advancement in agriculture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company pension

Ongoing training and development

Private healthcare

Income protection

Free parking

Range of employee benefits

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of livestock handling and market operations.
• Proven experience in team leadership.
• Commitment to best practices in animal welfare.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the yard team, ensuring operational efficiency.
• Oversee compliance with animal welfare and health and safety regulations.
• Coordinate livestock movement and sale-day operations.

Skills

Livestock handling

Team leadership

Health and safety knowledge

Customer service

Organizational skills

Job description

Livestock Operations Manager
H&H Group
Competitive Salary
Carlisle

Harrison & Hetherington is the UK’s largest and most progressive livestock auction business, operating seven markets across Northern England and Southern Scotland. We are seeking a capable and hands-on Livestock Operations Manager to lead the yard team at our flagship site, Borderway Mart in Carlisle. This is a critical leadership role that underpins the smooth functioning of one of the busiest livestock centres in the country.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will be responsible for the operational delivery and overall performance of the Borderway site. This is a role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced agricultural environment and is passionate about delivering high standards of animal welfare, health and safety, and customer service. You will oversee every aspect of yard activity, ensuring seamless coordination of livestock movement and sale-day operations, while acting as a visible and respected leader among staff and stakeholders alike.

At the heart of your role will be people and livestock. You will lead, motivate and manage the yard team, allocating tasks, maintaining performance, and promoting a high-functioning team environment. You will work closely with auctioneers, customers and external partners to ensure that livestock are received, penned, moved and loaded in a safe, efficient and welfare-compliant manner. Whether it’s solving an operational issue, resolving a customer query or supporting your team on the ground, your approach will be proactive, organised, and customer-focused.

You will also be responsible for ensuring that all market activity meets the highest standards of compliance. This includes overseeing adherence to animal welfare and environmental regulations, and ensuring that H&H’s robust health and safety policies are fully implemented across the site. Your oversight will extend to supporting off-site sales and assisting satellite locations when required, as well as working with the Facilities Manager on the maintenance of market infrastructure and company-owned land.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of livestock handling and market operations, coupled with proven experience in team leadership. You should be a natural organiser, someone with the energy and confidence to coordinate complex sale days, liaise with multiple internal and external stakeholders, and respond swiftly to changing demands. A sound working knowledge of health and safety and a commitment to best practice in animal welfare are essential.

This is a pivotal opportunity for someone looking to take the next step in their agricultural career within a well-established, forward-thinking business. In return, H&H offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, company pension, ongoing training and development, private healthcare, income protection, free parking, and a range of employee benefits.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Nigel Fortnum or Katherine Price on 0141 212 7555.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 18^th June

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter(as one document)via the apply button.If you are unable to combine your documents, then please email your cover letter [e-mail]

Offers of appointment are subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.