FREEDOM FOOD LTD
JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION:
Agriculture Manager
REPORTING TO:
Chief Executive
LOCATION:
(1 - 2 days) Headquarters / (2 - 3 days) Field
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Liaison with producers (scheme members) and industry. Liaison
with RSPCA Farm Animal Species Leads. Participation in Advisory
Groups as requested.
Development of UK and International
Membership. Development of existing and new species to the
scheme.
BACKGROUND:
Freedom Food Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RSPCA operating a farm animal certification
scheme (the Freedom Food Scheme) with the aim of verifying farm animal welfare by reference to
the relevant RSPCA Farm Animal Welfare Standards (“the RSPCA Standards”). The RSPCA
Standards are species-specific standards and specifications governing the welfare of farm animals
when being reared, handled, transported and where appropriate, slaughtered. Members of the
Freedom Food Scheme who have been inspected to the strict welfare standards can label their
product with the Freedom Food mark.
PURPOSE OF JOB:
To provide technical and commercial guidance to the Freedom Food Senior Management Team
regarding developments within the agricultural and retail sectors of importance to the function of
the scheme.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
To maximise penetration numbers of the Freedom Food scheme amongst existing species
and meet targets set.
To increase animal numbers on the scheme to budget numbers.
To increase membership numbers on the scheme to budget.
To liaise with industry to facilitate the RSPCA’s development of standards for new species
and during further development of existing standards.
To contribute to the construction and delivery of the business strategy as a member of the
Senior Management Team
Develop and maintain relationships with members and the industry as first point of technical
contact within each species covered by standards.
To facilitate introductions to relevant stakeholders to maximise commercial opportunities.
Take the lead on behalf of Freedom Food within Advisory Groups.
Close liaison with Field Assessment Manager to ensure efficient service standards for the
certification of members is achieved.
Ongoing dialogue and information sharing with Farm Animals Department.
Assess overseas development opportunities using the agreed FF/FAD protocol.
Liaise with the RSPCA Farm Animals Department to support their work on development of
new welfare standards where appropriate.
To advise the Senior Management Team of the potential commercial and business related
implications of proposed changes to the standards.
●
●
●
●
Technical input for the understanding of global livestock production issues and the
operation and activity of other assurance and certification authorities.
To ensure the Freedom Food scheme is kept up to date with industry technical and
commercial developments.
To work with Agriculture Managers of major supermarkets and the food service industry to
maximise uptake of Freedom Food products.
To attend and give presentations to industry conferences and other events.
EXTERNAL LIAISON:
●
●
●
●
●
To respond to letters and telephone enquiries relating to the scheme.
To represent Freedom Food at meetings with governmental and non-governmental
organisations, industry and Freedom Food members and member organisations/groups.
To liaise with relevant RSPCA personnel and departments, in particular Farm Animal
Department, Farm Livestock Officers and the Inspectorate.
To attend and present at industry meetings and conferences relevant to work of scheme.
To represent the views of the scheme in press, radio and television interviews.
INTERNAL LIAISON:
●
●
●
●
●
●
To provide authoritative information and advice on farm animal production, auditing and all
matters relating to the delivery of the scheme internally within Freedom Food.
To produce written or verbal reports on matters relating to the Freedom Food scheme for
submission to Freedom Food staff.
To assist in the continual development of procedures and working practices essential for
the delivery of all field activities of the scheme. In particular those relevant to the
implementation of the welfare standards and the scheme rules and regulations.
To give support to the development of supplementary standards, checklists, systems and
document controls where necessary.
To assist in the development with industry bodies of new schemes.
To liaise closely on an on-going basis with the RSPCA Farm Animals Department to ensure
information exchange and effective collaboration on all relevant matters.
AREAS OF EXPERIENCE
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Practical commercial livestock production in the capacity of Senior Management function.
Full appreciation of UK agricultural livestock farming sector, and preferably European,
gained from professional association.
Technical input to research and development associated to livestock production, preferably
welfare focused, and/or associated industries.
Developing and managing quality assurance systems and processes within the food supply
chain, preferably from ‘farm to fork’.
Practical appreciation of UK farm assurance and preferably European equivalents.
Professional liaison with government/regulatory bodies and other authorities/agencies
associated to UK agriculture.
Professional liaison with the retail food sector within the area of primary production supply
chains
Senior Management may from time to time require postholder to participate in and
complete relevant training and professional courses.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Professional/Technical
Qualifications
Essential Attributes
Desirable Attributes
Degree or equivalent in
agriculture or related discipline
plus a minimum of five years
practical livestock farming
experience.
Ten years practical livestock
experience which must include
at least three years personnel
and business management.
Computer literacy.
Good standard of written
English, legible handwriting
and good verbal
communication skills.
Genuine interest in and
commitment to animal welfare.
Practical and relevant
agricultural/food industry
experience.
Possession of a current valid
driving licence.
1
1
09.01.15
Inspection, auditing, quality
assurance qualifications
and/or experience.
Commercial Experience.