Farm Supervisor - Support Block Units

Canterbury Grasslands Limited; Hororata; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Canterbury Grasslands Limited in Hororata, South Island, seeks a Farm Supervisor to lead day‑to‑day management of youngstock systems, align operations with business goals, and drive performance across blocks.

You will lead people, systems and resources, manage budgets, safety, compliance, and contribute to planning and reporting; pre‑employment checks may apply.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of pasture management and animal husbandry.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute seasonal farm operations.
• Confident operating machinery and farm equipment.
• Strong communication and decision‑making skills.
• Proactive planner and allocator of time & resources.
• Understanding of environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing multiple farm blocks.
• Leadership and team management experience.
• Familiarity with farm systems (e.g., MINDA, Trev, Excel, Hawkeye, Agrinet)

Responsibilities

• Oversee youngstock operations across multiple properties, ensuring consistency and high standards.
• Align seasonal plans, feed budgets, and stocking strategies with business objectives.
• Drive performance improvements using data, benchmarking, and practical insights.
• Plan and manage pasture growth, feed allocation, and supplementary feeding.
• Ensure strong youngstock performance in growth, health, and welfare.
• Monitor animal performance, analyse trends, and take corrective action where required.
• Coordinate stock movements and maintain accurate records and reporting.
• Lead, mentor, and develop staff across support blocks.
• Set clear expectations and manage performance and workloads.
• Foster a positive, high‑performing team culture aligned with Grasslands values.
• Oversee the maintenance and effective use of farm infrastructure, machinery, and irrigation.
• Ensure assets are maintained to a high standard and used efficiently.
• Operate within budget while optimising performance outcomes.
• Use data to inform decision‑making and identify efficiencies.
• Contribute to business planning and reporting.
• Champion a strong health and safety culture.
• Ensure environmental compliance and best farming practices.
• Maintain safe and efficient working environments for all staff

Skills

Pasture management

Animal husbandry

Leadership

Team management

Budgeting

Data analysis

Tools

MINDA

Trev

Excel

Hawkeye

Agrinet

Job description

Canterbury Grasslands Limited – Hororata, South Island

At Grasslands, we farm together for better. We are proud to be building a culture where people, pride, and performance come together to create lasting value for our communities, shareholders, and each other.

Are you an experienced farm professional with a passion for youngstock performance and team leadership? Grasslands is seeking a capable and motivated Farm Supervisor to lead our support block operations across the Canterbury hub.

This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving consistency, performance, and continuous improvement across multiple support blocks while contributing to the wider success of our farming business.

About the Role:

As Farm Supervisor, you will take ownership of the day-to-day management and long-term performance of our youngstock systems. You will lead people, systems, and resources to deliver excellent animal outcomes, efficient pasture utilisation, and sustainable farm practices.

You will also lead the team from the front, contributing to feeding stock well and executing the animal health calendar together with your team.

Working closely with the General Manager and wider team, you will ensure operations are aligned with business goals around productivity, herd quality, animal welfare, and cost efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational & Farm Systems Leadership

Oversee youngstock operations across multiple properties, ensuring consistency and high standards

Align seasonal plans, feed budgets, and stocking strategies with business objectives

Drive performance improvements using data, benchmarking, and practical insights

Pasture, Feed & Livestock Management

Plan and manage pasture growth, feed allocation, and supplementary feeding

Ensure strong youngstock performance in growth, health, and welfare

Monitor animal performance, analyse trends, and take corrective action where required

Coordinate stock movements and maintain accurate records and reporting

Lead, mentor, and develop staff across support blocks

Set clear expectations and manage performance and workloads

Foster a positive, high‑performing team culture aligned with Grasslands values

Infrastructure & Resources

Oversee the maintenance and effective use of farm infrastructure, machinery, and irrigation

Ensure assets are maintained to a high standard and used efficiently

Financial & Performance Management

Operate within budget while optimising performance outcomes

Use data to inform decision‑making and identify efficiencies

Contribute to business planning and reporting

Health, Safety & Compliance

Champion a strong health and safety culture

Ensure environmental compliance and best farming practices

Maintain safe and efficient working environments for all staff

What We are Looking For:

Strong knowledge of pasture management and animal husbandry

Demonstrated ability to plan and execute seasonal farm operations

Confident operating machinery and farm equipment

Strong communication and decision‑making skills

Proactive planner and allocator of time & resources

Understanding of environmental and regulatory requirements

Experience managing multiple farm blocks

Leadership and team management experience

Familiarity with farm systems (e.g., MINDA, Trev, Excel, Hawkeye, Agrinet)

Why Grasslands?

You will be joining a business that:

Prioritises animal welfare, sustainability, and long‑term performance

Invests in people development and leadership capability

Encourages innovation and continuous improvement

Maintains a strong focus on health, safety, and wellbeing

As Grasslands is committed to a safe and healthy work environment, the successful applicant will be required to undergo pre‑employment checks which may include a drug screening test. Applicants for this role must have the right to live and work in New Zealand.