Assistant Manager (2IC) | Ngāi Tahu Farming

Te Runanga Group; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life and health insurance

5-on, 2-off roster outside calving

Modern, warm accommodation

Close-knit farming community with BBQs

Learning, development and career-advac

Job summary

Ngāi Tahu Farming is seeking an Assistant Manager (2IC) to join our dairy farming team. You’ll work closely with the Dairy Farm Manager to support daily performance, animal welfare, farm systems and planning, and you’ll step up to lead day-to-day operations in the Manager’s absence.

You don’t need to tick every box, but with three or more years in dairy farming, a willingness to learn, and the motivation to progress, you’ll be well-placed to drive improvements and growth across our farming

Qualifications

• Three or more years’ dairy farming experience.
• Experience as a 2IC or in a similar leadership role is preferred.
• Exposure to larger herd operations (600+ cows) is useful.
• Familiarity with Ngāi Tahu values and te reo Māori is desirable.
• GROWSAFE certification or willingness to obtain it.
• Ability to lead and develop a farm team.

Responsibilities

• Support the Dairy Farm Manager with farm reporting, planning and performance.
• Lead the farm team in the Manager's absence and provide operational direction.
• Oversee feeding and pasture management, milking activities and team training.
• Assist with mating, calving and calf-rearing operations.
• Help implement farm systems and procedures for continuous improvement.
• Provide day-to-day operational leadership and support to the farm team.

Skills

Dairy farming experience

Team leadership

Communication skills

Tech-savvy (farm software)

Tools

Halter

Protrack

Farm management software

Job description

Looking for your next step in dairy and an opportunity to build a genuine career in farming?

We’re looking for a motivated Assistant Manager (2IC) to join our dairy farming team at Ngāi Tahu Farming.

Working closely with the Dairy Farm Manager, you’ll play an important role in the day-to-day performance of the farm, supporting the team, animal performance, farm systems and operational planning. In the Farm Manager’s absence, you’ll step up to lead day-to-day operations and support the team to keep everything running smoothly.

You don’t need to tick every box. We’re looking for someone with a good grounding in dairy who is keen to learn, take on more responsibility and continue progressing their career.

• Support the Dairy Farm Manager with farm reporting, planning and performance.
• Help implement and continuously improve farm systems and procedures.
• Support animal health, welfare and preventative health programmes.
• Oversee feeding and pasture management.
• Manage day-to-day milking activities, troubleshooting and training team members.
• Support efficient calving and calf-rearing operations.
• Assist with mating and breeding activities to achieve farm targets.
• Help maintain farm infrastructure, machinery, fencing, irrigation and effluent systems.
• Provide day-to-day operational leadership and support to the farm team.

We’re looking for someone with a solid grounding in dairy farming who is ready to take the next step in their career. Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Three or more years’ dairy farming experience.
• Previous experience as a 2IC or in a similar role would be great, although we’re also open to someone who has the capability and motivation to step up.
• Exposure to larger herd operations, particularly 600+ cows, would be useful given the scale of our farming operation.
• Confidence using technology and farm management systems. Familiarity with Halter or Protrack would be a bonus, but we’re happy to support the right person to learn these systems.
• Sound pasture management knowledge.
• Good communication and people skills, with the confidence to support and lead others.
• Appropriate dairy industry training.
• GROWSAFE Approved Handler certification, or willingness to work towards it.
• Understanding of or willingness to learn Ngāi Tahu values and te reo Māori.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is motivated, keen to learn and wants to progress.

Grow your career with us

One of the great things about joining Ngāi Tahu Farming is the opportunity to build a genuine long-term career across our farming network.

Whether you join us as a Dairy Assistant, 2IC or at another stage in your career, there are opportunities to develop and progress into leadership and farm management roles, right through to future sharemilking opportunities.

If you’re motivated to progress, we can support you to build your skills, gain experience and take that next step as opportunities come up across our farms.

Ko tā mātou mahi – What we offer

• Life and health insurance.
• 5-on, 2-off roster outside of calving.
• Modern, warm accommodation.
• A close-knit farming community with monthly BBQs.
• Learning, development and genuine career progression opportunities across Ngāi Tahu Farming.

Mō mātou – About the farm

• 320ha effective, fully irrigated by pivots.
• A Halter farm.
• Runoff for wintering approximately 10 minutes away.
• 64-bale fully automated rotary cowshed, with ECRs, in-bail teat spraying and automatic drafting.
• Modern, well-maintained facilities and equipment.

At Ngāi Tahu Farming, we’re committed to producing sustainable products in line with our values. By joining our team, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real contribution to the future of farming while helping grow and protect Ngāi Tahu tribal assets for future generations.

If you’ve got solid dairy experience and you’re ready for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you, even if you don’t tick every box above.