Assistant Farm Manager, Te Rapa Farms

JobSpace; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fair pay

Health and well-being programs

Work-life balance options

Employee recognition

Community involvement support

Job summary

Fonterra Te Mātāpuna invites applications for an Assistant Farm Manager to support the Farm Manager in the safe, efficient operation of two dairy farms at Te Rapa and Orini. The sites cover about 70 hectares with 200 dairy cows and 130 hectares with substantial dry matter export.

You will help lead daily activities and coordinate contractors to ensure productivity and compliance. With at least two years of dairy farming experience, you will manage livestock, pasture, records, and health and

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a farming environment.
• Solid knowledge of dairy farming operations including animal health and pasture management.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Commitment to health, safety, and environmental practices.
• Experience leading and coordinating a small team.
• Ability to implement grazing plans and maintain high shed standards.
• Comfort with coordinating contractors and external partners.
• advantageous dairy farming qualifications or industry training.

Responsibilities

• Support the Farm Manager to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable farm operation.
• Lead daily farm activities when the Farm Manager is away.
• Implement grazing plans and maintain high dairy shed standards.
• Coordinate contractors and key stakeholders for farm tasks.
• Maintain animal health and production records.
• Contribute to the farm's environmental performance and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Dairy farming operations

Stakeholder management

Health and safety

Team management

Job description

Imagine Tomorrow with Us At Fonterra Te Mātāpuna, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves. Whether you're early in your career or ready for your next step, Fonterra offers a unique opportunity to grow with a global dairy co-operative that values care, collaboration, and contribution. Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and supported by a dedicated team, we are all working together to create a better future. Imagine tomorrow with us, where your career can grow, and you can create positive change.

Join us as an Assistant Farm Manager and play a vital role in supporting the Farms Manager to achieve national and global objectives. Our Te Rapa and Orini farm blocks cover approximately 70 hectares where we milk 200 dairy cows and our Orini block 130 hectares where we annually export off farm around 700 tonne of dry matter in grass silage along with grazing dairy replacements.

As Assistant Farm Manager, you'll play an important role in supporting the Farm Manager to ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of two dairy farms that receive factory wastewater applications. These farms is an integral part of Fonterra's environmental management system, balancing nutrient inputs from manufacturing activities with sound farming practices to support long-term sustainability and compliance. You'll help foster a strong health and safety culture while contributing to the day-to-day success of the farming operation. When the Farm Manager is away, you'll confidently step into a leadership role, overseeing daily farm activities, implementing grazing plans, maintaining high dairy shed standards, and coordinating contractors and key stakeholders. Alongside supporting and motivating your team, you'll be involved in a variety of practical farming responsibilities, including fencing, spraying, machinery operation, and general farm maintenance. You'll ensure farm equipment and vehicles are well maintained, keep accurate animal health and production records, and contribute to the environmental performance of the farms. Your work will play a key role in supporting the ongoing success of Fonterra's Test Rapa Manufacturing site and DairyFerts licence to operate.

You're an experienced farming professional with a passion for the dairy industry and a genuine commitment to achieving great outcomes. With at least two years' practical dairy farming experience, you're confident managing day-to-day farm operations, maintaining high standards, and working safely in a fast-paced environment. A proactive and reliable self-starter, you'll bring strong livestock, pasture, and people management skills, along with the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, contractors, and stakeholders.

• Proven experience in an Assistant Farm Manager or similar leadership role
• Sound knowledge of dairy farming operations, including mating, reproduction, and animal health
• Strong stock and pasture management capability
• Excellent attention to detail and pride in maintaining high standards
• A positive attitude, practical mindset, and willingness to roll up your sleeves
• A strong commitment to health, safety, and environmental management
• Well-developed communication and stakeholder management skills
• Relevant dairy farming qualifications or industry training would be advantageous

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a high-performing team and play a meaningful role in supporting sustainable farming practices connected to one of Fonterra's key manufacturing sites.

At Fonterra, our values of Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts, are for everyone – no matter your background, identify or experience. These values guide us in delivering exceptional outcomes for our farmers, customers, communities, and each other. Discover how your values align with ours by taking our Values Quiz

We care for our people globally. Our comprehensive benefits support your well-being, development, and work-life balance:

• Fair and equitable pay
• Health and well-being programs (medical, mental health support)
• Work-life balance options (flexible/hybrid working where possible)
• Employee recognition
• Support for community involvement and cultural connection

At Fonterra, we are inspired by purpose and guided by our principles and values. Together, we create goodness for generations and make a global impact at a local level. As part of our Co-operative, you are an everyday creator, imagining what Fonterra, dairy, and you can be here.

Does this sound good to you? Come join our whānau - bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together.

Inclusion is key to our Co-operative. We're building a team that reflects the diverse world we live in, believing it drives better decisions and innovation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds (ethnicities, genders, identities, orientations, ages, abilities, neurotypes, cultures, religions).

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, we encourage you to apply; we value your potential and growth. If you face accessibility issues or need accommodations during the process, please contact your recruiter. We ensure fair participation, allowing you to be at your best. Applications close at midnight on Thursday 24th September 2026.