Pig Unit Manager
About ARU:
ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.
At our ARU Writtle campus, we specialise in animal, environmental, agricultural and horticultural courses, for learners aged 16 to 18, adult learners, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
About the Role:
Anglia Ruskin University is seeking an experienced and proactive Pig Unit Manager to join the farm team at our Writtle campus. Working alongside the Farm Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day running and future development of our 70-sow farrow-to-finish unit, ensuring exceptional standards of productivity, biosecurity and animal welfare. This is a hands-on role requiring exemplary stockmanship across all production phases including breeding, farrowing and finishing, as well as training the existing herd to use our electronic sow feeding system. You will manage feed and equipment supplies, liaise with buyers to ensure timely sales, maintain veterinary and performance records, and uphold Red Tractor assurance and virus-free status. Regular weekend and evening work is required, typically one weekend in three as part of the breeding cycle.
As a key contributor to both farm operations and the University’s teaching and research mission, you will supervise and support students during practical sessions, collaborate with academic staff on research trials, and ensure facilities are prepared to meet teaching needs. You will maintain high standards of cleanliness, presentation, health and safety, and compliance with all relevant legislation and University policies. We are looking for a candidate with at least a Level 3 qualification in Agriculture (or extensive equivalent experience), proven indoor pig production and supervisory experience, strong organisational and IT skills, and a commitment to continuous professional development. In return, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of a progressive university farm while supporting the next generation of agricultural professionals.
Informal enquiries can be made to Alex Hepburn, Farm Estates Manager at alex.hepburn@aru.ac.uk.
Find out more about working with us and how we recruit.
We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that ARU will carry out online searches as part of the due diligence on short listed candidates.
All appointments at ARU Writtle are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal records with Children’s Barred List check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.
We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
In accordance with the UK Government’s immigration points-based system, this post does not meet the characteristics of a skilled job including salary criteria to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route.
Committed to being inclusive and open to discuss flexible working.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications.
Guidance Notes:
Please download the Job Description Person Specification for key requirements. To apply, demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the criteria.