Herd Test Team Leader - Invercargill

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC); Winton; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extra leave days

Flexible working options

Discounted health, life, income and/or

Employee shares scheme

Wellbeing discounts

Job summary

LIC, a farmer-owned co-operative serving NZ dairy, invites applications for Herd Test Team Leader in the Invercargill region. You will lead permanent field techs and seasonal staff, ensuring high-quality herd testing service and compliance with ISO standards.

Reporting to the Herd Test Regional Manager, you’ll manage rostering, training, KPI monitoring, and capacity planning while championing continuous improvement across the team and the business.

Qualifications

• Current full driver's licence; defensive driver training is preferred.
• Dairy farming knowledge is highly desirable.
• Herd Testing knowledge is an advantage.
• Awareness of Health and Safety requirements.
• Experience in ISO environments is beneficial.
• Staff and team management experience is essential.
• Experience in resource allocation (vehicles/equipment).
• Experience with GIS tools is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead Herd Test Field Techs and seasonal staff to deliver quality service.
• Ensure compliance with herd testing tasks, ISO standards and QA processes.
• Assist with route planning and truck schedules for efficiency.
• Support capacity planning and annual plan updates.
• Recruit, train, and conduct performance reviews; monitor KPIs.
• Manage rostering for technicians and trainers to meet targets.
• Adjust schedules to changes while maintaining efficiency.
• Provide technicians with tools and documentation for daily ops.
• Oversee satellite depots within the region.
• Process customer credits and charges related to herd testing.
• Handle customer feedback to ensure positive outcomes for LIC.
• Champion continuous improvement across the team and business.
• Maintain adherence to Herd Testing Quality Management System.

Skills

Staff management

Leadership

Route planning

ISO compliance

KPI monitoring

Time management

GIS tools

Health & Safety

Tools

GIS software

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

Reporting to the Herd Test Regional Manager, the Herd Test Team Leader is responsible for delivering quality customer service across the wider Invercargill region through management of resources and the effective team leadership of the permanent Herd Test Field Techs and the seasonal team.

Your Key Focus

• Deliver exceptional service to internal and external customers, resolving queries promptly and in line with Herd Testing standards.
• Ensure compliance with herd testing tasks, ISO standards, and quality processes, including staff training and equipment calibration.
• Support route planning by providing input into truck schedules for optimal efficiency.
• Assist with capacity planning by monitoring and updating annual plans.
• Lead and develop the team, including recruitment, training, performance reviews, and KPI monitoring for permanent and seasonal staff.
• Manage rostering for technicians and trainers to meet operational and budget targets.
• Adjust schedules as needed to accommodate changes while maintaining efficiency.
• Ensure technicians are equipped with all necessary tools and documentation for daily operations.
• Manage satellite depots within your designated region.
• Process customer credits and charges related to herd testing.
• Handle customer feedback, ensuring positive outcomes for both the customer and LIC.
• Champion continuous improvement within the team and across the business.
• Maintain adherence to Herd Testing Quality Management System principles.

About You

• Current full drivers licence and have ideally completed defensive driver training.
• Dairy farming knowledge highly desirable
• Herd Testing knowledge an advantage
• Awareness of Health and Safety requirements
• Experience in an ISO environment
• Staff and team management experience is essential in this role
• Experience in resource allocation/management (e.g vehicles/plant/equipment)
• Process focus, with emphasis on standardisation
• Experience in GIS tools would be of significant benefit
• Time management skills.

In Return

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

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to the success of NZ’s dairy industry, we want to hear from you!