Dairy Farm Manager - County Limerick, Ireland - €50,000 + Accommodation

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists Ltd; Connacht; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation

Management support

Leave entitlement

Job summary

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists Ltd seeks an experienced Dairy Farm Manager for a modern spring-calving unit in County Limerick, Ireland. You will lead day-to-day farm operations, milk twice daily, manage grazing and records with support from the management team.

Accommodation is available and the role offers a competitive salary up to €50,000 DOE plus benefits. The successful candidate will bring hands-on dairy farming experience, strong leadership, and a commitment to herd health and

Qualifications

• Minimum of practical dairy farming experience, ideally spring calving or grass-based systems.
• Strong stockmanship with knowledge of herd health, milk quality and welfare.
• Experience with calving, calf rearing, breeding, AI prep and routine health procedures.
• Driver's licence and ability to work seasonal spring hours.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily management of the dairy herd and farm operations
• Milk herd twice daily while upholding high milk quality and welfare standards
• Manage herd health, treatments and routine husbandry per health programme
• Oversee calving, calf rearing and seasonal youngstock
• Support breeding, including AI prep and heat detection
• Plan grazing and grass allocation to optimise utilisation
• Maintain farm records and contribute to performance reporting
• Collaborate with management on labour planning and priorities

Skills

Dairy farming

Herd management

Grassland management

Animal health & welfare

Team leadership

Calving & AI

Education

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

Dairy Farm Manager - County Limerick, Ireland - €50,000 + Accommodation

The Job: An established and progressive dairy business in County Limerick is looking for an experienced Farm Manager to take responsibility for the day to day running of a modern, grass based spring calving dairy unit. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious dairy professional who is ready to take ownership of a farm, develop their management experience and play an important role within a growing business. You will work alongside an experienced farm team and have regular support from the wider management operation, while having the autonomy to make day to day decisions and drive standards across the unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the daily management of the dairy herd and farm
• Milk the herd twice daily while maintaining high standards of milk quality, hygiene and animal welfare
• Manage herd health, treatments, vaccinations and routine husbandry in line with the farm health programme
• Oversee calving, calf rearing and seasonal youngstock requirements
• Support the breeding programme, including body condition scoring, pre-breeding preparation, heat detection and AI
• Take ownership of grazing management through regular grass walks, allocation and monitoring of covers
• Plan grazing to make efficient use of available grass and maintain herd performance
• Maintain accurate farm records and contribute to regular performance reporting
• Support general farm maintenance, repairs and ongoing improvements
• Ensure the farm remains clean, organised, safe and professionally managed
• Work closely with the farm assistant and wider management team to plan labour and seasonal priorities
• Contribute ideas and practical input to the continued development of the business

The Company

The business operates a modern commercial dairy enterprise in County Limerick with a strong focus on grass-based milk production, herd performance and efficient farm management. The farm has continued to invest in its infrastructure and working systems, while the wider business provides access to experienced dairy management and opportunities to develop through exposure to other units and farming practices.

The Candidate

• Strong practical dairy farming experience, ideally within a commercial spring-calving or grass based system
• Good stockmanship with a strong understanding of herd health, welfare, milk quality and general dairy husbandry
• Experience with calving, calf rearing, breeding, AI preparation and routine herd health procedures
• Genuine interest in grassland management, including grazing allocation, grass measurement and maintaining good utilisation
• Confident taking responsibility for a farm and making day to day decisions, with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a wider team
• Organised, practical and self-motivated, with high standards and a willingness to get involved in all aspects of the farm
• Ambitious and keen to develop their management skills and build a long term career within the dairy industry
• Experience at Farm Manager, Assistant Manager or experienced Herdsperson level would be considered
• Full driving licence and willingness to work the seasonal hours associated with a spring-calving dairy system

The Package

• Salary up to €50,000DOE
• Accommodation available
• Strong support from an experienced dairy management team
• Seasonal working pattern with additional demands during spring calving
• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Time off in lieu where applicable
• Access to relevant dairy courses, open days and discussion groups
• Opportunities to learn from wider dairy operations and develop management skills
• Genuine scope for increased responsibility and career progression
• Potential longer-term opportunities to develop an equity or partnership position for the right candidate

Candidate Requirements

All applicants must hold a minimum of an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role applied for. Candidates must also have the legal right to work in the UK or hold a valid visa permitting employment.