Trainee Assistant Farm Manager - Fife Scotland

Noble Foods Home of the Happy Egg Company

Noble Foods is a family-owned company which began in 1920 and includes successful milling, poultry, agriculture, and consumer foods businesses. Within this, Noble Foods owns several successful brands, including the UK\’s biggest free-range egg brand the Happy Egg co., Big & Fresh and Purely Organic. In a recent survey by Best Companies we were rated as one of the Top 10 companies to work for in the Food and Drink industry.

What are we looking for?

We believe the most successful teams are formed from a diverse talent pool and we strive to employ a wide variety of individuals in our business, selecting the best qualified person for each role regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristics.

Job Purpose

To work with the Farm Managers and Assistant Farm Managers to achieve all aspects listed below, whilst developing the required knowledge to be able to progress into a farm management role.

• To ensure that the highest standards are maintained in stock husbandry, bird welfare, flock performance and management.
• To ensure the highest site standards are maintained and the environmental & ethical policies are adhered to.
• To ensure sites are audit ready and comply with all Noble and industry standards.
• To operate effectively the Company Health & Safety Policy

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following is a list of core responsibilities to be completed by the jobholder. Other duties may be assigned.

Bird Welfare

• Water – ensure water is available at all times and at the correct height and monitor consumption
• Feed – ensure the correct ration is fed to birds, the correct number of feeds per day, the correct trough height and feed depth. Monitor consumption and ensure stocks are kept to the appropriate level
• Temperature – maintain house temperatures according to the appropriate standard and weather conditions, whilst being mindful of the bird behaviour and requirements. Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent build up of dust and ammonia levels and promote optimum performance
• Light – adjust the settings and times of lights in line with the flock programme, as well as when bird behaviour dictates
• Vaccinations and treatments – ensure they are delivered at the correct time via water, spray or injection. Maintain traceability of all vaccines and up-to-date medicines book
• Alarm systems – ensure alarm systems are fully operational through daily testing and recording; alarms triggered at appropriate points in line with flock age
• Mortality – accurately record all mortality and humanely cull birds in distress
• Equipment – ensure all equipment is functioning properly to maintain flock comfort and minimise distress
• Testing – undertake serology testing and environmental monitoring at required intervals
• Generators – operate an effective testing and maintenance programme on standby generator systems
• Transport – assist with organisation of bird transport as instructed by manager, mindful of journey times, loading times, weather conditions and number of birds per module

Health & Safety

Assist the farm management team in the below areas;

• Manage, complete and maintain all relevant site documents relating to health & safety and implement the necessary controls
• Read, understand and comply with the specific H&S responsibilities related to your role
• Work with farm team to assess and develop overall H&S management and controls

Bio-Security

Assist the farm management team in the below areas;

• Maintain effective bio-security programme and ensure all step-over barriers and site systems are operating efficiently and effectively
• Ensure foot dips are maintained regularly and used at every access point to the building
• Monitor programme for site pests (rodents, flies, mites)
• Protect your flock by ensuring external visitors adhere to Company visitor protocols
• Ensure all vehicles entering the site are sprayed with the approved disinfectant

Record Keeping

Assist the farm management team in the below areas;

• Ensure relevant weekly record cards are completed and submitted as required
• Complete in-house daily stock checks and cleaning schedules
• Keep records up to date for audits
• Log and monitor flock performance
• Weigh required number of birds weekly, input data and report against targets; escalate issues to your manager
• Comply with turnaround programme, including maintenance, cleaning and re-housing preparation
• Monitor and control chemical stocks

Workforce Management

Assist the farm management team in the below areas;

• Assist farm manager in organising colleagues to ensure sufficient resources on farm at all times
• Ensure all colleagues have completed required training
• Coordinate and manage catchers at pullet transfer and flock depletion
• Conduct site induction with temporary labour and monitor compliance with rules
• Ensure 24/7 management cover while birds are in lay
• Adopt a flexible approach to working hours, especially at key flock times

Site/Environmental

Assist the farm management team in the below areas;

• Coordinate effective cleaning schedules inside and outside poultry houses to present the correct image for visitors and customers
• Conduct customer visits including explanation of record cards and farm presentation
• Be available at audits to demonstrate required standards met in environmental, bird welfare or Health & Safety
• Carry out basic repairs, where safe to do so
• Dispose of all waste according to Company Policy (e.g., muck, wash water, vaccine, bottles, chemicals)
• Help manage other company properties/bungalows on farm as needed
• Be mindful of cost at all times

The demands of the business may change in line with customer requirements and changes may be made to the above guidelines. The jobholder should be flexible to the changing demands of the business.

Training and Education

The jobholder may be expected to complete training in the following areas:

• Level 2 work-based diploma in Agriculture
• Poultry Welfare (Management)
• Farm Security, Biosecurity and egg quality
• Food Safety
• First Aid
• Lion Training Passport (Industry)
• IT
• Health & Safety
• Manual Handling
• People Management Training (Disciplinary & Grievance, Investigations, Managing performance etc)

The requirements will depend on the jobholder\’s previous experience, knowledge, qualifications, and the demands of the specific activities.

Physical Demands

The role involves manual handling, bending and working outside. The jobholder should have a reasonable level of fitness and should report any conditions that may be aggravated by the required activities.

What can we offer you?

• Free hot drinks on shift
• Service Awards
• Enhanced paternity and maternity
• Free life insurance
• Enhanced Sick Pay Scheme
• Access to Perkbox with a variety of discounts including a monthly freebie from Greggs or Café Nero
• Discounted eggs and chicken
• A Celebration day after 1 year\’s service with an extra day off for life events
• Access to DigiCare+ including annual health check, digital GP, nutritional, second opinion and mental health consultations
• Discounted gym memberships
• Free Eye Test every two years
• Discounted mobile phone contracts
• Share in our success with the People Partnership – after 6 months service you will be eligible for a yearly bonus
• Additional allowances for First Aiders and Mental Health First Aiders
• Wellness programme
• Employee Charity Matching Scheme

If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.