Senior Operations Manager - Breeders

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 a commercially focused operational leader with the experience to improve performance across a multi-site agricultural network? This is an opportunity to lead Avara’s chicken breeder operations and help shape the reliable, responsible supply of day-old chicks into the wider business.

As the Senior Operations Manager for our Chicken Breeder Team, you will lead performance across our chicken breeder farm network, including company-operated farms, flock farmer partnerships and third-party service providers. Leading through the Area Manager Team and Breeder Services, you will ensure the reliable supply of day-old chicks to our chicken hatcheries, while improving commercial performance, flock outcomes, welfare, biosecurity and long-term supply resilience.

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

• Lead operational performance: Set clear priorities across the breeder farm base and translate business strategy, production requirements and contract expectations into practical operating plans.
• Deliver results: Achieve agreed outcomes for egg supply, fertility, hatchability, chick output, welfare, cost and service to the hatcheries.
• Lead through others: Provide direction, coaching and constructive challenge to the Area Managers and the Breeder Services Manager, building accountability and capability across the team.
• Strengthen farm performance: Use operational and commercial data to identify trends, agree improvement actions and review progress with company-operated farms and flock farmers.
• Build trusted partnerships: Develop productive relationships with flock farmers, farm teams and third-party service providers while maintaining clear expectations for performance, value and compliance.
• Plan for reliable supply: Oversee breeder placement, production planning and depletion schedules, aligning breeder output with hatchery demand and wider business planning cycles.
• Drive commercial value: Manage budgets, contract plans, resource priorities and service-provider performance to improve cost control, operational consistency and long-term supply capability.
• Support investment decisions: Lead farm business reviews and provide clear commercial rationale for capital priorities, investment needs and improvement opportunities.
• Protect welfare and biosecurity: Ensure animal welfare, flock health, environmental and biosecurity standards are understood and applied consistently across all breeder farms.
• Manage operational risk: Maintain preparedness for disease-related and operational risks and lead an effective response when issues arise.
• Collaborate across the supply chain: Work closely with Hatchery Team, Broiler Team, Veterinarians, Nutrition, Technical, Finance and Procurement teams to deliver joined-up decisions and outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement: Support the implementation of improved systems, operational practices and innovation across the breeder farming base.

What you’ll need to be successful

• Significant operational leadership experience within chicken production, chicken breeder farm operations or a comparable multi-site agricultural environment.
• Experience leading operational teams through managers and specialist support functions.
• A strong understanding of breeder production, hatchery integration and relevant poultry industry standards.
• A proven ability to improve performance across multiple sites, partners, teams and operational measures.
• Strong commercial and financial judgement, with experience of budgets, contracts, resource planning and investment decisions.
• The ability to build trusted relationships with farmers, contractors and service providers while maintaining clear accountability.
• Confident negotiation, influencing and constructive-challenge skills.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to work effectively across a complex supply chain.

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.

We offer comprehensive training as well as continuous development as you build your long-term career with us. You can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things include the following:

• 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.

What happens after you apply for this role?

After you’ve applied, you’ll be contacted in due course by a member of our Resourcing team to discuss your application and CV further. There’ll also be a chance for you to ask us any questions you may have about the role.

If you’re ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today!

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.

INDHP #TheAvaraWay