Neil Swann is not a man to do things in half measures. Entering a Dunbia graduate programme in 2009, within two years he found himself as general manager for Dunbia Primary at the age of 25, a position he still holds today. Not bad considering the plant he manages employs 320 people and sees 58,000 cattle and 200,000 lambs pass through it gates every year.

The Tyrone native was no stranger to Dunbia. However, he credits the plant for developing his knowledge of meat processing from a young age.

“I wasn’t from a farming background growing up but I started working in Dunbia when I was still in secondary school, during holidays and at weekends. It gave me a basic understanding of how things worked in the plant such as sales, the IT system, stock management and stock takes. I learned the principles of the grassroots of the organisation, which is so important to me now.”

Earning a degree from Queen’s University in economics and management, Neil worked in an accountancy practice for 12 months before returning to Dunbia on the graduate programme in 2009.

“The graduate programme was brilliant. It extended my knowledge of how things worked on the factory floor and the different processes involved. The year as an accountant was beneficial from the paperwork side of things. You understand document tenders, graphing information and constructing reports.”

Since taking over as general manager of Dunbia Primary, the father-of-one has been making an impression.

In 2014 he was awarded the Young Manager of the Year Award at the Meat and Poultry Awards in Manchester. An advocate for progression and development, Neil’s advice to young aspiring employees in this sector is simple.

“Make sure you are happy at what you are doing. It’s hard work, no doubt, and the hours can be long, so go into it with your eyes open. The rewards are there.”

If you are interested in a career in the agri-industry, come along to the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair, which takes place in the RDS on 3 March 2016. For more information, click here.