UK Operations Director

Company Overview

We are a vertically integrated poultry business operating across primary processing, further processing, cold storage, and UK-wide distribution. With a strong focus on food safety, compliance, operational excellence, and commercial performance, we are seeking a commercially astute and operationally strong UK Operations Director to lead and optimise our UK operations.

Role Purpose

The UK Operations Director will have full responsibility for the performance, compliance, and profitability of all UK poultry operations. This role requires deep expertise in poultry production, supply chain management, financial oversight, and UK import/export legislation.

The successful candidate will ensure operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, cost control, and strategic growth while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and animal welfare.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership

• Lead end-to-end UK poultry operations including processing, packing, cold storage, and distribution.

• Drive continuous improvement across yield, productivity, waste reduction, and cost efficiency.

• Ensure compliance with UK food safety and hygiene regulations, including standards set by the Food Standards Agency.

• Oversee relationships with regulatory authorities including DEFRA and Animal and Plant Health Agency.

• Ensure full traceability, biosecurity, and animal welfare compliance across the supply chain.

2. Financial & Commercial Oversight

• Hold full P&L responsibility for UK operations.

• Develop and manage operational budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure plans.

• Monitor margins, cost of goods sold (COGS), yield performance, and overhead control.

• Work closely with Finance to improve working capital management, stock control, and cash flow.

• Lead cost optimisation initiatives across procurement, logistics, energy usage, and labour.

3. Import/Export & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UK import regulations post-Brexit, including SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) requirements.

• Oversee import/export documentation, veterinary certifications, and customs processes.

• Maintain compliance with HMRC customs requirements and tariff classifications.

• Manage relationships with freight forwarders, customs agents, and port authorities.

• Monitor regulatory changes impacting poultry imports, frozen product, and raw materials.

4. Supply Chain & Procurement

• Oversee sourcing of raw materials, packaging, and ingredients (domestic and international).

• Negotiate supplier contracts to optimise cost, quality, and security of supply.

• Manage logistics network including cold chain integrity and distribution performance.

• Mitigate supply chain risks, including disease outbreaks and geopolitical disruption.

5. Food Safety & Quality Assurance

• Ensure adherence to BRCGS standards and retailer audit requirements.

• Lead crisis management in case of product recall or compliance breach.

• Embed a culture of food safety and continuous improvement across all sites.

6. People & Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop site managers and senior operational teams.

• Drive accountability, performance management, and succession planning.

• Foster a strong health & safety culture across all facilities