Farm Manager

Responsibilities:

Poultry Operations:

• Coordinate workers to prepare and set up the poultry pen before chick arrival, ensuring all biosecurity and brooding requirements are in place.
• Oversee all phases of the broiler production cycle from day-old chick placement through to sale.
• Ensure all vaccination, medication, and feeding protocols are followed strictly and on schedule.
• Monitor and manage deep litter quality daily – stirring, de-caking, top-dressing, and controlling moisture levels.
• Monitor flock health daily, identify sick or weak birds immediately and isolate them without delay.
• Maintain a daily mortality log with photographic evidence submitted to the owner by 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM each day.
• Oversee the full between-cycle cleanout and disinfection process, enforcing a minimum 14-day downtime before restocking.
• Manage feed inventory, verify all incoming deliveries, maintain accurate feed records, and actively prevent wastage.
• Liaise with the consulting veterinarian when required and act promptly on all advice and treatment instructions.
• Begin engaging prospective buyers from the date of chick arrival – providing bi-weekly updates, sharing flock progress media, and securing buyer commitments well ahead of maturity.
• Lock down transport and logistics arrangements before maturity and present all negotiated pricing to the owner for approval before any agreement is finalised.

Crop Field Operations:

• Supervise all crop farm workers across all stages, planting, weeding, irrigation, harvesting, and storage.
• Implement the agreed crop calendar, including planting schedules, input procurement, and harvest timing.
• Monitor crop health and escalate any pest, disease, or adverse weather concerns to the owner immediately.
• Maintain detailed records of all crop inputs, labour, yields, and sales.
• Actively identify and engage buyers for crop produce, ensuring product reaches the most profitable available market.
• Coordinate all logistics for timely and efficient delivery of crop produce to buyers or market.

Staff Management:

• Directly supervise all farm workers, poultry attendants, field workers, and security personnel.
• Assign daily tasks, verify completion, and consistently enforce farm rules and the code of conduct.
• Report any worker misconduct, suspicion of theft, or performance concerns to the owner within 24 hours of discovery.
• Conduct informal weekly performance reviews of all workers and maintain written notes for reference.
• Train new workers on farm protocols, biosecurity procedures, and correct equipment use before independent duties begin.

Reporting & Operations:

• Submit morning and evening reports to the owner via WhatsApp every day without exception, including photographic evidence where required.
• Submit a weekly summary report covering flock mortality, feed consumption, bird weights, crop operations update, and any staff matters.

Biosecurity & Farm Security:

• Enforce strict biosecurity at all times; no unauthorised visitors permitted in or near the poultry pen under any circumstance.
• Maintain a complete visitor log recording every person who enters the farm premises, including date, time, and purpose of visit.
• Ensure the poultry pen is fully secured every evening before dark, without fail.
• Oversee proper disposal of all dead birds through the designated burial pit or incineration on-site only.

Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in commercial broiler production, verifiable with references
• Minimum 2 years supervising crop farm operations
• A formal agricultural qualification (OND, HND, or BSc in Agriculture or Animal Science) is an advantage but not required
• Demonstrated experience managing farm workers
• Ability to write clear daily reports and maintain physical record books
• Smartphone literate, must be comfortable sending WhatsApp reports with photos
• Two verifiable references from previous farm employers – references will be contacted
• A community guarantor is required before employment commences