Herd Manager

DairyNZ’s story

Progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming - Te whanake anamata angitu mō ngā pāmu kau o Aotearoa

We are full of people who have a passion for doing good and creating positive change. We leverage our collective strength by bringing the dairy sector together, helping farmers build more sustainable, profitable and resilient farm businesses, because a strong dairy sector means a strong New Zealand.

Your opportunity

You will be involved in typical dairy farming practices such as animal care, milking, mating, calving, machinery operation, general farm maintenance; while also contributing to the research work DairyNZ does for New Zealand’s dairy farmers to help make dairy farming profitable, competitive and sustainable.

This full-time role is based on our two farms in Newstead. It sits within the Farms team and works closely with the Research team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Essential farm duties, including milking, animal care, pasture management, environmental management, machinery and equipment care and data recording.

• Supporting and enabling research activities through farm duties, collaboration with research teams and professional advice.

• Planning and coordination of work, staff and project activity.

• Supporting and contributing to the leadership and development of the team.

• Contributing to and implementing ideas and solutions for improvements.

Although this is a live out role, the farm is conveniently located a short 5–10-minute drive from Hamilton East.

DairyNZ strives to maintain a safe working environment for all staff and contractors and therefore requires applicants to undergo a pre-employment drug test.

About you

A great Herd Manager is someone who has a passion for farming and cows, is a practical thinker but also knows their way around a computer, has great attention to detail, and enjoys the camaraderie of working as part of a team. Also, it is essential that they have an interest in the research that goes on behind the scenes to help keep the NZ Dairy Industry ticking.

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Are reliable, honest, and adaptable

• Have excellent communication and organisational skills

• Have the ability to work in a team environment

• Have the ability to support and lead team members

• Hold a current, full drivers licence

• Show a keen interest in the dairy industry

• Are eligible to work in New Zealand.

Sound good to you? Come join our team who together, are making a difference.

Check out the full position description here to read more detail. Applications close 11.55pm, Sunday 13 April 2025.