Douglas Ramsay
Summary
Poultry production specialist with 30 years of experience in driving operational efficiency and team performance. Expertise in market analysis and implementing successful sales strategies. Skilled in delegation and maximizing staff productivity to meet organizational goals.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work history
Poultry Performance Manager
Gafoor Poultry Ltd.
2025.04 - 2026.04
- Advise and consult with 60 private Broiler growers who supply birds into Gafoor.
- Work with growers who are performing poorly.
- Ensure high quality broilers entering Gafoor processing plant.
- Attend Industry meetings and conferences on behalf of Gafoor Ltd.
- Recruit and maintain Grower supply base.
Free-Range Production Manager
Herb-Fed Ltd.
2023.02 - 2024.01
- Re-started Poultry Production after Avian Influenza
- Introduced Production methods and Biosecurity Protocols to help further disease outbreaks.
- Introduced improved day to day management practices to improve bird quality and performance.
- Fitted new drinking and feeding systems on existing and new poultry houses.
Agriculture Director
Lubing UK and IRE Ltd
2021.03 - 2022.07
- Training and advising customers on Lubings products such as drinking systems and Top-Climate cooling throughout the UK
- Responsible for the servicing and growing of client book
- Meet clients face to face and virtually to assess requirements
- Keeping updated with key changes to legislation to ensure the organisation remains compliant
Poultry Services and Consultant
Howells Veterinary Services
2020.08 - 2021.03
- Maintained a list of 150 clients, advising both Howells poultry customers and Howells poultry vets.
- Advise clients on how to improve bird performance via good management practices
- Monitored and maintained the health and condition of livestock
- Provided suggestions for and actively participated in improving sales, margins, and execution of all programs
- Interpreted clients' needs and introduced services to fit specific requirements
- Key Achievements
- Effectively managed farming activities to consistently exceed production targets
- Increased the company list, through various sales and marketing techniques
Management Specialist
Aviagen Turkey Ltd
2018.02 - 2020.08
- Liaising with customers who require technical advice on any problems they may have in their turkeys' breeding or meat production.
- Monitored and evaluated teams, identifying and targeting opportunities for improvement
- Empowered staff members to contribute to continuous improvement, quality, and growth of the company
- Part of the team to set up a 10 new breeding farms in Russia, which included training the local employees on company practices and methods
- Managed trips abroad to monitor breeding farms are following the company rules and procedures
- Key Achievements
- Delivered business strategy to drive revenue and operational efficiencies
- Tracked KPIs to drive profitability and target delivery
- Improved customers bird performance by analysing current practices and recommendations
Regional Commercial Manager
Cranberry Foods/Faccenda Foods Ltd.
2010.03 - 2018.12
- The role entailed the production of commercial female and male turkeys in the processing plant at Derby. The birds were produced on over thirty company and contract farms. Oversaw 3 Area Managers and approximately 50 farm staff.
- Responsible for the budgets for costings and bird performance were set and met continuously over a long period
- Accountable for the recruitment and development of younger employees, since it was recognised that the labour force was top-heavy
- Developed pricing structures based on historical and current trends, competitor activities and supply chain data
- Customised strategies to meet the needs of different clients, products, and services
- Conducted regular market assessments to stay current on trends and maintain readiness for changes
- Conducted performance reviews and created action plans to drive team improvements
- Supported sales teams with well-coordinated administrative operations
- Evaluated sales and service processes to generate targeted improvement strategies and increase revenue opportunities
- Established budgets for programme activities and controlled expenditure to meet targets
- Defined business strategies and roadmaps to drive performance across sales, promotions, and marketing departments.
- Key Achievements
- Upon my departure, there was a significant younger element to the workforce that was motivated and keen to do well
- Improved both bird performance and financial returns
- Delivered record-breaking Christmas performance and carcass quality
- Managed retailer visits to the company farms during Christmas production
- Strategised cross-promotions with new and existing partners to expand sales and marketing opportunities
- Exceeded budget expectations by £1M on an annualised basis
- Managed a team of 50 staff, driving performance with motivational strategies to exceed company KPI targets
Area Broiler Manager
Grampian Country Chicken/Vion
1999.03 - 2010.03
- Responsible for running 10 x 160K broiler farms in Anglesey, North Wales. Liaise with the local company processing plant on Anglesey to answer any questions regarding bird performance in their plant. When I took over this area of the Grampian business, it was an average-performing area compared to the rest of the company
- Responsible for 20 farm staff plus 6 people that travelled from farm to farm, covering chick placement, holidays, and sickness
- Within five years of being in charge, it was the highest performing area for financial and physical bird performance, with other Area Managers visiting for ideas and guidance.
- Key Achievements
- Responsible for 20 farm staff plus 6 people that travelled from farm to farm, covering chick placement, holidays, and sickness
- Within five years of being in charge, it was the highest performing area for financial and physical bird performance, with other Area Managers visiting for ideas and guidance.
Area Manager
Crown Chicken Ltd.
1990.02 - 1999.02
- Started employment as farm manager of a 120K broiler farm. This was a particularly lowperforming farm that had been neglected. Successfully improved the facilities and day-to-day management of the birds resulted in them being one of the best performing farms in Crown Chicken. I was promoted to Area Manager and responsible for approximately 12 broiler farms.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - Poultry Production
Kesteven College of Agriculture Caythorpe
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Skills
- team-based contributor
- Poultry husbandry
- business growth strategies
- Lifecycle product management
- Partnership cultivation
- strategy formulation
- Engagement marketing techniques
- Understanding of regulations
- team coaching
- Business growth optimization
- Vendor coordination
- Recruitment proficiency
- Effective communication
- Strategy development
- communication skills
- Financial planning
Timeline
Poultry Performance Manager
Gafoor Poultry Ltd.
2025.04 - 2026.04
Free-Range Production Manager
Herb-Fed Ltd.
2023.02 - 2024.01
Agriculture Director
Lubing UK and IRE Ltd
2021.03 - 2022.07
Poultry Services and Consultant
Howells Veterinary Services
2020.08 - 2021.03
Management Specialist
Aviagen Turkey Ltd
2018.02 - 2020.08
Regional Commercial Manager
Cranberry Foods/Faccenda Foods Ltd.
2010.03 - 2018.12
Area Broiler Manager
Grampian Country Chicken/Vion
1999.03 - 2010.03
Area Manager
Crown Chicken Ltd.
1990.02 - 1999.02
Diploma of Higher Education - Poultry Production
Kesteven College of Agriculture Caythorpe