Breeding Specialist - Dairy

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC); Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extra leave days

Flexible working options

Discounted health, life, income and DI

Employee shares scheme

Wellbeing discounts

Free onsite parking

Free EV Chargers

Office park-like setting with gym/café

Job summary

LIC, a farmer-owned co-operative, seeks a Breeding Specialist - Dairy to drive genetic gain across Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and crossbreds. Reporting to the Breeding Manager within R&D, you’ll lead strategic breeding programmes and identify elite bulls and resources.

You’ll collaborate across NZ Markets, Operations, International and R&D to deliver industry-leading genetics and meet farmers’ evolving needs. This role blends science, strategy and stakeholder relationships.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in Animal Science, Genetics or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience in dairy breeding.
• Proven experience applying genetic analysis and breeding strategies to deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of dairy farming systems and the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand farmers.
• Knowledge of global dairy genetics trends, breeding technologies and competitive market influences.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with both technical experts and farmers.
• Commercial acumen and strong decision-making capability when assessing and acquiring elite genetic resources.
• The ability to influence, lead and collaborate across teams to achieve shared outcomes.
• An understanding of LIC's products, services and breeding philosophy would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of dairy breeding programmes that support LIC's long-term genetic strategy and product portfolio.
• Identify, evaluate and acquire elite bulls and genetic resources that align with current and future market requirements.
• Provide breed leadership across key dairy populations, helping shape breeding outcomes for Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and Kiwicross® genetics.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with breeders, breed societies and industry stakeholders.
• Analyse global genetic trends, emerging technologies and market dynamics to inform breeding decisions and future opportunities.
• Collaborate across multiple business units to ensure breeding objectives align with customer, commercial and operational needs.
• Mentor and support junior team members while influencing cross-functional teams to deliver collective success.
• Drive continuous improvement in bull acquisition systems and breeding programme effectiveness.

Skills

Genetic analysis

Breeding strategy

Relationship building

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Commercial acumen

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science / Genetics

Job description

LIC is a farmer-owned co-operative that’s been supporting herd improvement in New Zealand’s dairy sector for more than 115 years. We’re focused on providing superior genetics, reliable testing and diagnostics, integrated on-farm software, and great customer service, all designed to help farmers make smarter decisions every day.

As a proud generational co-operative, we’re here for farmers, their families, and rural communities, not just for today, but for the future. And none of it happens without our people. Whether on farm, in the lab, or behind the scenes, every one of us plays a part in helping New Zealand farmers succeed.

About The Role

At LIC, we’re passionate about delivering world-leading genetics that help New Zealand dairy farmers breed better herds and stronger futures. As our Breeding Specialist - Dairy, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of elite dairy genetics.

Reporting to the Breeding Manager and sitting within our Research & Development team, you'll lead strategic breeding programmes focused on identifying, acquiring and selecting elite bulls that drive genetic gain across our herd improvement portfolio. Working closely with teams across NZ Markets, Operations, International and R&D, you'll help ensure LIC continues to deliver industry-leading genetics that meet the evolving needs of farmers, breeders and the dairy sector.

This is an influential role where science, strategy and industry relationships come together to create lasting impact.

Your Key Focus

• Lead the delivery of dairy breeding programmes that support LIC's long-term genetic strategy and product portfolio.
• Identify, evaluate and acquire elite bulls and genetic resources that align with current and future market requirements.
• Provide breed leadership across key dairy populations, helping shape breeding outcomes for Holstein-Friesian, Jersey and Kiwicross® genetics.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with breeders, breed societies and industry stakeholders.
• Analyse global genetic trends, emerging technologies and market dynamics to inform breeding decisions and future opportunities.
• Collaborate across multiple business units to ensure breeding objectives align with customer, commercial and operational needs.
• Mentor and support junior team members while influencing cross-functional teams to deliver collective success.
• Drive continuous improvement in bull acquisition systems and breeding programme effectiveness.

What you'll bring...

• A tertiary qualification in Animal Science, Genetics or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience in dairy breeding.
• Proven experience applying genetic analysis and breeding strategies to deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of dairy farming systems and the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand farmers.
• Knowledge of global dairy genetics trends, breeding technologies and competitive market influences.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with both technical experts and farmers.
• Commercial acumen and strong decision-making capability when assessing and acquiring elite genetic resources.
• The ability to influence, lead and collaborate across teams to achieve shared outcomes.
• An understanding of LIC's products, services and breeding philosophy would be advantageous.

In Return

Based 10 minutes from Hamilton, in a semi-rural location, the role provides the opportunity for a lifestyle change for those seeking a better work -life balance and wanting to escape the 'rat race' and cost of living in bigger cities. Alternatively, we are open to flexible and remote working arrangements.

In addition to a competitive salary, you'll receive some great benefits including:

• Extra leave days
• Flexible working options
• Discounted health, life, income and disability insurances
• Access to our employee shares scheme
• Wellbeing discounts
• Free onsite parking and Free EV Chargers for LIC staff to use
• Our Hamilton office is located in a park-like setting, with tennis court, pool, and onsite café and social club!

With a valued team member approaching retirement after a successful career with LIC, this is a unique opportunity to step into an influential role and build on a strong foundation of breeding excellence. You'll inherit well-established industry relationships while helping shape the future direction of LIC's dairy genetics programmes.