Director of Operations - OH & MI live poultry farms

Summary

A Director of Operations at Daybreak Farms would be responsible for overseeing and directing multiple farms within a region to ensure all production, processing, and maintenance operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Key duties include managing General Managers, resources, coordinating with various departments like purchasing and shipping, and ensuring the farms meet production and business objectives. This role requires a strong background in poultry/egg production, strategic leadership, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership

• Plan, organize, and regulate the production of eggs and related activities, including feed mill operations, layer management, and shell egg processing.
• Implement and direct strategies to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Ensure optimal bird health, egg quality, production output and customer satisfaction across all facilities within region.

Production

• Collaborate with Operations Support team for flock scheduling, feed supply, grading, and packaging processes.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and procurement teams to align supply with demand and ensure compliance with company, industry and federal regulations.

Animal Welfare & Compliance

• Uphold compliance with USDA, FDA, OSHA, and other regulatory bodies.
• Implement best practices in biosecurity, animal welfare, and sustainability.
• Prepare for audits, certifications, and customer compliance programs.

Financial & Strategic Management

• Manage and prepare operational budgets, forecasts, and cost controls for all locations.
• Drive capital projects including facility upgrades, automation, and technology integration.
• Analyze KPIs and production metrics to guide decision-making.

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop farm managers, supervisors, and production staff.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee community relations and public relations strategies, serving as the organization's representative to stakeholders, media, and community partners to enhance visibility, strengthen brand reputation, and foster positive relationships.
• Develop workforce training programs for skill development and succession planning.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Poultry Science, Agriculture, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in poultry/egg production with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of poultry industry, egg production systems (cage-free, and conventional), feed management
• Proven track record of managing large-scale agricultural operations.
• Expertise in biosecurity, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to manage budgets.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic and operational planning
• Food safety & compliance (SQF, HACCP, ISO, etc.)
• Animal welfare and sustainability practices
• Project management and process improvement
• Leadership and team development
• Must be able to travel to locations
  
  

Physical Demands

Stand and walk constantly; grip, grasp, push, pull, reach, bend, stoop, lift up to 10 pounds frequently; sit, climb, lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Work Environment

When visiting sites the role is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and airborne particles. Temperature varies in relation to the outside temperature. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Proper personal protective equipment will be required during certain working conditions.