Duck Farm Manager in England

A rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced Farm Manager to join a specialist duck breeding and research business at its site in Lincolnshire. Employing around 60 people across three farms, the business has built an outstanding reputation within its sector through its commitment to animal welfare, innovation and long-term investment in its people. Staff retention is exceptional, with some employees having spent decades with the business, and many continuing to support the operation even after retirement.

The successful candidate will take over from a long-serving Farm Manager who is retiring later this year, creating an excellent opportunity to join a stable, supportive business with genuine long-term career prospects.

The Role

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the site, leading a team of five direct reports and overseeing all farm operations relating to the hatching, rearing and performance testing of ducks. The farm plays a key role within the wider breeding programme, with responsibilities including:

• Managing farm staff and day-to-day operations.
• Overseeing bird welfare, biosecurity and health & safety compliance.
• Coordinating egg collection, hatching and rearing activities.
• Managing bird performance testing and accurate data collection.
• Planning labour and resources to support breeding programme objectives.
• Working closely with research, genetics and veterinary teams.
• Driving standards, efficiency and continuous improvement across the site.

About You

We’re looking for someone who can combine strong livestock management experience with energy, initiative and leadership. You may come from a poultry, livestock or wider agricultural background, but you’ll need to be:

• A proactive and hands-on manager.
• A strong communicator with the ability to motivate and lead a team.
• Charismatic and approachable, with the ability to build relationships across the business.
• Comfortable thinking outside the box and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Passionate about animal welfare, biosecurity and high production standards.
• Experience within poultry production would be advantageous, but candidates from other livestock sectors will also be considered.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary.
• Company van provided.
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
• Additional company holiday each year.
• Christmas Eve typically given as an additional day off.
• Generous pension scheme with 5% employee and 10% employer contributions.
• Monday-Friday working pattern (typically 7am-4pm).

Why Join?

This is a business that genuinely invests in its people. Career progression is proven, with senior leaders having progressed through the organisation over many years. Employees are given opportunities to broaden their experience, develop new skills and take on additional responsibility as the business evolves.

If you’re looking for a management role where quality matters more than quantity, where you’ll be supported by an experienced leadership team, and where you can make a genuine impact on the future of a specialist agricultural enterprise, we’d love to hear from you.