Executive Director: Poultry (Grain Field Chickens & QPro Feeds)

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an integrated food and agricultural company with operations starting pre-farm and running all the way through the agri and food value chain up to direct transacting with the food consumer. We do this via an integrated value chain structure, which includes own retail facilities or brands available through formal and informal retail channels Apart from the various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK. Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture with farming at our corecustomer being the agri producer, but then using this core relationship to create value downstream in the value chain and ultimately offering the food consumer unique value through well positioned food brands.

This “house of brands” we’ve established with the support of our farmer shareholders is the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

Our purpose

Touch lives – for the better: We always aim to make a positive impact in people’s lives: our employees, producers, clients, communities and the larger industry. And, through collaboration with this group of people, we strive to make an even bigger and longer lasting impact in the lives of all South Africans.

Our legacy

For the Love of the Land: We do it all for our legacy and the love of nature, people, country, sustainability and progress.

About Grain Field Chickens & QPro Feeds

Grain Field Chickens and QPro Feeds are subsidiaries of VKB Agri Processors (Pty) Ltd and important contributors to the Group’s integrated poultry value chain. Grain Field Chickens operates from Reitz in the Free State, while QPro Feeds operates feed mills in Bethlehem and Vrede, supporting both internal poultry operations and broader customer markets. Together, these businesses create a unique leadership opportunity to drive performance across feed, production, processing, and market delivery within a professional corporate environment rooted in the countryside.

Lead. Transform. Deliver.

An exceptional opportunity exists for a commercially astute, people-centred executive to lead Grain Field Chickens and QPro Feeds,

The Opportunity

This is a high-impact executive leadership role with full P&L accountability across the poultry value chain — from feed and production to processing and market delivery.

We are looking for a leader who will:

• Accelerate profitability and growth
• Drive operational excellence across multiple sites
• Strengthen a high-performance, people-first culture
• Position the business for long-term, sustainable success

If you are a leader who can build, optimise, and inspire, this role will challenge and reward you.

Your Leadership Mandate

You will be responsible for:

• Drive profitability, cash generation, and disciplined capital allocation across all poultry operations.
• Lead end-to-end operational excellence across feed, production, processing, logistics, and market execution.
• Strengthen cost competitiveness, production efficiency, yield, and plant performance across multiple sites.
• Shape and execute strategic growth, optimisation, and business improvement initiatives.
• Build a high-performance, values-driven culture rooted in accountability, trust, and disciplined execution.
• Champion an employer of choice environment that attracts, develops, and retains exceptional talent.
• Enhance customer value, market positioning, and commercial responsiveness.
• Ensure strong governance, reporting integrity, risk management, and operational control.

What Success Looks Like

• Sustainable improvement in PBT, margins, and cash flow.
• Measurable gains in yield, productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Reduced downtime, waste, and operational losses.
• Delivery of strategic initiatives with clear commercial and operational ROI.
• Stronger customer outcomes, market relevance, and competitive positioning.
• A capable, aligned, and accountable leadership team with depth in key roles.
• A workplace culture that drives engagement, credibility, and talent attraction

The Leader We’re Looking For

You are a purpose-driven executive who combines strategic clarity, commercial sharpness, and authentic leadership.

You embody:

• Humble – Grounded, approachable, and connected to operations and people
• Hungry – Relentlessly focused on performance, improvement, and results
• Smart – Strong emotional and people intelligence
• Bold – Willing to make tough decisions, challenge inefficiencies, and drive change
• Team Player – Builds aligned, collaborative teams across the broader business.

Non-Negotiable Experience Required

• Proven leadership of large-scale, multi-site operations
• Full P&L accountability at executive / senior level
• 10–15 years’ senior leadership experience in poultry, agriculture, protein, or FMCG
• Demonstrated success in operational and financial performance improvement
• Strong ability to lead through complexity and change

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification (Agriculture, Engineering, Business, or similar)
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA or equivalent) preferred

Why Join VKB Group?

• Be part of a leading agricultural organisation where purpose, values, and performance matter
• Join a business that believes its people are at the heart of long-term success.
• Shape a culture of excellence, growth, and belonging
• Make a meaningful executive-level impact in a business built for the future

Build Your Legacy

At VKB Group, At the VKB Group we build leaders who are humble in approach, hungry for results, smart with people, bold in action, and committed team players. These values are more than words — they shape our culture, our leadership expectations, and our ambition to remain a place where exceptional people choose to build meaningful careers.

If you are ready to lead a critical part of an integrated value chain and make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Other Information

• The company can expire jobs at any time at their own discretion.
• VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.
• VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities
• Things to take note of when applying through our Career Portal.
• Use Google Chrome when accessing the portal
• Clear copy of your CV in either PDF or Word
• The CV should not have handwriting on the document
• NB! Only Submit your CV on the Upload CV section of the application form and not a PDF that includes other documents such as ID, Driver’s License and other documents. The application form will make provision for the candidate to upload supporting documents.
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