COMMERCIAL LAYER FARM MANAGER

Farm Manager SA; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Farm Manager SA is seeking an experienced poultry professional to lead a commercial layer operation in South Africa. You will develop flock-management programmes, maximise egg production and quality, and drive profitability through precise feed and health management.

You will supervise about 15,000 birds, monitor KPIs, maintain records, and collaborate with a veterinarian on vaccination and disease control, while building a productive team and planning future expansion to 30,000+ layers.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' commercial poultry experience.
• Proven experience managing 10,000+ commercial layers.
• Knowledge of layer nutrition and feed management.
• Experience with flock health and vaccination programmes.
• Strong biosecurity understanding.
• Experience managing farm employees.
• Ability to analyse production data and KPIs.
• Proven ability to manage a commercial operation profitably.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Advantageous: experience with 15,000–50,000+ layers.

Responsibilities

• Manage a commercial layer flock of approximately 15,000 birds.
• Develop flock-management programmes.
• Maximising egg production and egg quality.
• Managing feed consumption and feed efficiency.
• Monitoring mortality, morbidity and flock health.
• Implementing strict biosecurity procedures.
• Managing vaccination and medication programmes in consultation with the veterinarian.
• Managing farm employees and daily operations.
• Maintaining accurate production and financial records.
• Monitoring egg collection, grading, storage and dispatch.
• Managing waste and manure.
• Monitoring equipment and maintenance.
• Assisting with procurement of feed, medication and farm supplies.
• Preparing daily, weekly and monthly production reports.
• Monitoring key performance indicators and identifying areas for improvement.
• Assisting management with expansion from 15,000 to 30,000+ layers.

Skills

Poultry farming experience

Data analysis

Team management

Biosecurity knowledge

Problem-solving

Organisational skills

Education

Agricultural diploma/degree or poultry-management qualification

Job description

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 5 years' commercial poultry experience.
• Proven experience managing 10,000+ commercial layers.
• Strong knowledge of layer nutrition and feed management.
• Practical experience with flock health and vaccination programmes.
• Strong understanding of poultry biosecurity.
• Experience managing farm employees.
• Ability to analyse production data and manage farm KPIs.
• Proven ability to manage a commercial operation profitably.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills

THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS

• Experience managing 15,000–50,000+ layers.
• South African commercial poultry experience.
• Experience with automated or semi-automated layer housing systems.
• Experience establishing a new poultry operation.
• Experience with Lohmann, Hy-Line, ISA Brown or similar commercial layer genetics.
• Agricultural diploma/degree or poultry-management qualification.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

• Managing a commercial layer flock of approximately 15,000 birds.
• Developing and implementing flock-management programmes.
• Maximising egg production and egg quality.
• Managing feed consumption and feed efficiency.
• Monitoring mortality, morbidity and flock health.
• Implementing strict biosecurity procedures.
• Managing vaccination and medication programmes in consultation with the veterinarian. Managing farm employees and daily operations.
• Maintaining accurate production and financial records.
• Monitoring egg collection, grading, storage and dispatch.
• Managing waste and manure.
• Monitoring equipment and maintenance.
• Assisting with procurement of feed, medication and farm supplies.
• Preparing daily, weekly and monthly production reports.
• Monitoring key performance indicators and identifying areas for improvement.
• Assisting management with future expansion from 15,000 to 30,000+ layers.

ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted