We’re looking for a reliable, motivated, and hands-on Farm Manager / Large-Scale 2IC to join our team on a 1,400-cow dairy operation in Dorie, Canterbury.
You’ll be working closely alongside the 50/50 sharemilkers, helping manage and support a team of 4–5 dairy staff, while working along side the Share Mikers. This is the perfect role for someone with existing large-scale dairy experience, or someone keen to step up and progress in the industry.
The farm is well laid out with excellent infrastructure, modern and well-maintained homes, and strong systems in place. We are a progressive, family-focused business with a strong emphasis on animal health, sustainability, teamwork, and a positive working environment. We strive for high standards and have an exciting opportunity available for the right person.
🔹 About the Role
This is a practical, leadership position that includes:
- Milking and general shed duties
- Animal health, calf rearing, and stock work
- Effluent management and general farm maintenance
- Fencing, machinery operation, and daily farm tasks
No two days are the same, and you’ll be part of a supportive team that values great communication, reliability, and pride in our work, and a role where everyone does everything.
Farm System & Operation
Our farm includes:
- 394 ha effective milking platform (flat contour)
- 80-bale rotary with in-shed feeding, ACRs, and Protrack
- 1,400 cows total, through the rotary
- System 3 operation with a focus on sustainability, environmental responsibility, and high animal welfare standards
This role carries key responsibility for the farm’s performance across the season, ensuring pasture, cows, people, and infrastructure all work seamlessly together.
Key Responsibilities
- Feed management and pasture planning within a System 3 framework
- Weekly Reporting, recording, and planning across all farm systems
- Maintaining strong herd health, welfare, and Great reproduction results
- Leading and supporting a team of 4–5 staff (along side us, we are happy to help you learn and grow in this role)
- Protecting milk quality and ensuring young stock are well grown
- Upholding high standards in environmental stewardship and compliance
This is a management role on a farm where good pasture, healthy cows, a capable team, and long-term environmental care all matter equally.
What We’re Looking For
- A hands-on, empathetic leader who communicates calmly, clearly, and respectfully
- Someone capable of coaching and developing less-experienced staff, helping create a positive, safe, and inclusive team culture
- Strong, intuitive pasture management skills—planning round length, managing residuals, and making sensible feed decisions
- Solid all-round dairy capability: herd health, reproduction, milking routines, milk quality, young stock, effluent, water systems, and general farm maintenance
- A commitment to sustainability, tidy farm presentation, and doing things the right way
- Reliable, honest, and eager to continually improve
- Eligible to work in NZ with a full, restricted, or international licence
- Previous dairy experience—ideally at a leadership or large-scale level
- A strong, consistent employment history
What We Offer
- Competitive pay based on experience
- A positive, family-focused work environment
- Ongoing training and development
- Clear structure and well-organised systems
- Long-term growth opportunities for the right person
- Zoned for Dorie school, where our children will attend and a great pre school next to the school.
- Only 20 mins to Ashburton.
Farm Size (ha): 394
Peak Herd Size (cows): 1400
Typical On-farm Staff: 6
Position Start Date: 01/05/2026
Accommodation available: 3 Bedroom Brick Home
Hour Type: negotiable
Average Hours Per week: 60
Roster: Triple rotation - 7 Days on / 2 days Off - 7 Days on / 2 days Off - 8 Days on / 2 days Off
Remuneration paid by: By Negotiation