Senior Operations Manager - Broilers

Avara Foods Ltd.; Hereford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Car allowance

33 days holiday allowance

6% pension

Private medical (self & partner/child)

Life assurance

Discounts & wellbeing benefits

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Avara Foods Ltd. is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead the Broiler Team across Central and Southern England.

You will be accountable for delivering production across 150 farms, achieving budgeted bird numbers, cost targets, quality, and welfare standards while managing contract growers and a team of Contract Production Managers. You'll drive performance, safeguard bird welfare and food safety, and contribute to the growth plan in line with company strategy.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in poultry broiler production or a multi-site agricultural operation.
• Experience leading operational teams across geographically dispersed sites.
• Proven ability to build and improve contractor relationships and drive performance.
• Strong understanding of welfare, biosecurity, quality and food-safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver budgeted volumes of birds across 150 farms while meeting cost, quality, and welfare standards.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with contract growers and external partners.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Contract Production Managers.
• Ensure bird welfare, people safety, and food safety meet regulatory and company expectations.
• Support and deliver the growth plan, expanding bird volume capacity in line with strategy.

Skills

Poultry operations

People management

Contract grower relationships

Strategic leadership

Financial acumen

Job description

Who are we, and what do we do?

You may not have heard of us, but there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.

We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door – meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

About The Role

Are you an experienced poultry operations leader with a proven track record in people management? Do you have experience leading performance across a multi-site agricultural operation? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where strong grower relationships, welfare and operational delivery are critical?

We are looking for a highly competent and motivated Senior Operations Manager to lead our Broiler Team, supporting operations across Central and Southern England.

What will you be doing as a Senior Operations Manager at Avara?

Lead and deliver broiler production across a 150 farms in Central and Southern England, ensuring the business achieves budgeted bird numbers at the required cost, quality, and welfare standards. The role is responsible for managing contract grower relationships, leading a team of Contract Production Managers, and delivering sustainable growth in line with company requirements.

What will your key responsibilities as a Senior Operations Manager include?

• Deliver budgeted volumes of birds to the required specification, ensuring optimal cost efficiency and consistent product quality.
• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with contract growers, ensuring alignment with company standards, performance expectations and long-term partnership success.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of Contract Production Managers to drive performance, accountability and continuous improvement across the contract grower base.
• Maintain and promote the highest standards of bird welfare, people safety and food safety, ensuring all operations meet or exceed regulatory and company expectations.
• Support and deliver the business growth plan, increasing bird volume capability in line with company strategy while maintaining efficiency and standards.

What You’ll Need To Be Successful

• Significant experience in poultry, broiler production or a comparable multi-site agricultural operation.
• Experience leading operational teams through managers across a geographically dispersed farm network.
• Proven ability to build productive contract grower or external partner relationships and improve operational and commercial outcomes.
• Strong understanding of broiler production, bird welfare, biosecurity, assurance standards and poultry industry requirements.
• Senior strategic and operational leadership.
• Multi-site agricultural and supply chain operations management.
• Contract grower relationship management and performance improvement.
• Financial and commercial acumen.
• Negotiation, influencing and constructive challenge.

The Benefits Of Working For Avara Foods

As a Senior Operations Manager you will enjoy a secure, supportive and progressive working environment, where your contribution and achievements will be recognised and rewarded.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Car allowance
• 33 days holiday allowance
• 6% pension
• Private medical self & partner/child
• Life assurance/insurance
• Various lifestyle benefits, such as cashback perks, exclusive shopping discounts from well known retailers, and discounted cinema tickets!
• Wellbeing resources, including free online health advice & support, and wellbeing assessments.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.

INDHP #TheAvaraWay