Director of Live Poultry Production

The Live Production Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight for all poultry live operations, including breeder, hatchery, grow-out, and animal health management. This role is pivotal in ensuring optimal bird performance, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. The incumbent will drive execution of production strategies, foster strong partnerships across the supply chain, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Operations Leadership: Lead and manage multi-site live production operations to achieve volume, quality, cost, and biosecurity targets. Develop and implement production strategies aligned with business objectives.
2. Breeder, Hatchery, & Grow-Out Oversight: Ensure seamless management of all stages of live production, including hatchability, feed efficiency, mortality reduction, and animal welfare.
3. Performance & Metrics Management: Monitor operational KPIs and financial metrics; identify areas for process optimization, cost reduction, and productivity improvements.
4. Team Leadership & Development: Build, mentor, and retain high-performing production managers and field teams. Lead hiring, performance management, and succession planning initiatives.
5. Stakeholder & Supplier Engagement: Maintain and strengthen relationships with contract growers, suppliers, technical partners, and key industry stakeholders. Negotiate agreements and drive collaborative outcomes.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with processing, supply chain, technical services, and finance teams to ensure end-to-end operational alignment and efficiency.
7. Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Lead projects to enhance production systems, implement best practices, and adopt innovative farm management technologies.
8. Industry Insight & Compliance: Stay abreast of market trends, regulatory changes, and technological advancements; ensure operations comply with all applicable standards.
9. Other Duties: Perform additional responsibilities as required to support the growth and success of the live production division.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, or related field. Advanced studies (MS/MBA) in Agriculture, Animal Science, or Business Management are a plus.

2. Experience:

3. 15+ years of experience in poultry production, including breeder, broiler, and hatchery operations; experience in other livestock or aquaculture sectors (beef, swine, fish) with transferable operational expertise is acceptable.

4. 10+ years in leadership roles, managing multi-site operations, farm managers, hatchery teams, and production staff.
5. Demonstrated track record in scaling operations, improving production efficiency, and implementing biosecurity and animal welfare standards.

6. Operational & Financial Expertise:

7. Proficient in analyzing operational KPIs (mortality rates, feed conversion ratio, hatchability) and financial metrics to drive cost efficiencies and profitability.

8. Experience in developing and executing operational plans, budgets, and production forecasts.

9. Leadership & Stakeholder Management:

10. Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to develop high-performing teams.

11. Experience in supplier and customer engagement, including negotiating contracts, managing vendors, and fostering strategic partnerships.

12. Achievements & Mindset:

13. Demonstrated success in operational excellence, process optimization, and performance improvement initiatives.

14. Results-oriented, strategic thinker, and hands-on leader comfortable making operational decisions at scale.

15. Preferred:

16. Familiarity with Philippine poultry regulations, quality certifications, and industry standards.

17. Exposure to modern farm technologies and production management software.