Vacancies

Farm Management – Business Partnership

Having devoted the last forty years to building a large and successful Game bird breeding and rearing company, Heart of England Farms Ltd are now offering the management of the poult rearing part of that business as a once in a lifetime opportunity to a driven individual wanting to make their own mark in the UK game rearing market.

For this unusual and challenging position we are not seeking an ‘employee’ in the usual sense of the word but someone who wishes to be rewarded beyond their salary with the opportunity to run their own business and game operation but cannot presently achieve this for financial or logistical reasons.

Our opportunity offers an established farm rearing large quantities of pheasant poults.  All equipment required to operate in terms of staff and orders, buildings, machinery, vehicles and trailers, penning, and feed systems is established and ready to go for season 2025.  You will be the individual who will make next season happen by maintaining both the site and our reputation with our customers through the high standard of the stock delivered.

The role will involve the daily management of an independent satellite farm which has the potential to produce in excess of 300,000 quality grass reared poults per year using modern equipment and bulk feed and gas systems.  This site has a guaranteed weekly chick supply from our main farm where we hold our breeding flocks and hatchery.  The two are geographically separated and nearly completely autonomous from each other for bio security reasons.  The number of poults to be reared in the coming season is not fixed by any parameters so numbers to rear are all dependent upon the experience of the potential interested candidates. 

Key skills and experience required for you to be successful in the role:

·         Prior team management/leadership

·         High level of organisational ability being able to forward plan

·         Problem solver

·         Practical skills – tools/machines

·         Able to motivate and create a positive working environment for your team.

·         Prior game bird/poultry experience in a commercial environment

·         Poult rearing experience ideally from day old

The first season/year will be focused on you learning our systems and processes with the support of the Directors of the business.  A significant part of the role long term will be in keeping ahead of the upcoming jobs before their timelines are reached therefore with this in mind the successful candidate’s second year will be when there will be a greater level of handing over of responsibility. 

This cannot be a hands-off management position as the business has been built by managers who have always led from the front.  All team members are jointly responsible for daily manual duties such as feeding, catching, shed disinfection and the erection then dismantling and moving of rearing equipment. 

Whereas initially the company will manage orders and administration there is the scope for this to be handed over in future years should the individual wish to create their own independent business based on their own knowledge and experience.

Accommodation packages are available both on or off site in good modern housing.

Hours required min of 48 per week (includes one day at the weekend) increasing to 50-60 during peak season with evening catching.  Salary is determined by the hours worked with each working hour paid. Rate to be discussed at interview.

All applicants will be asked to supply a comprehensive CV which confirms your identity before interviews take place. Referees supplied on that CV will not be contacted without your express written permission.

We would prefer a starting date to be 2024 to allow the greater time before the new season starts but are willing to wait for the right candidate into early 2025.  Please let us know your availability.