Operations Lead - Data

Halter Inc.; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Halter is seeking a hands-on leader to own and grow our in-field data collection operations. You will recruit, train, and manage regional contractors, set protocols for pasture, forage, and animal data, and ensure data is cleansed and ready for deployment.

Office-based with regular field travel, you’ll collaborate with ML teams to translate model needs into field tasks. You’ll design, implement, and refine collection protocols, test new techniques, and monitor data quality while balancing speed,

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ownership of a process comparable to a data/annotation operation end-to-end (collection and/or labelling), including quality systems and delivery against schedules.
• Comfort translating ambiguous engineering team needs into precise operational specs: label definitions, edge-case handling, escalation rules, and measurable acceptance criteria.
• Capability to move with urgency: moving with urgency is relevant for data collection in model development.
• Strong service mindset: you are passionate about making the cross-functional system work, and about the success of client ML engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the field collection crew.
• Design how we collect data.
• Own data quality and flow.
• Partner with the machine learning teams.

Job description

About Halter

At Halter, we’re on a mission to enable farmers and graziers to run the most productive and sustainable operations. Our customers are using Halter to break free from the time-intensive constraints of conventional practices. Imagine watching 500 cattle stand up and walk calmly towards their next break? No quad bikes, no dogs, no fences. Just a group of cattle walking at their own pace. People say it looks like magic. Our customers are revolutionizing grazing with Halter. It's changing lives and transforming an industry. People join Halter to do meaningful work. By joining us you’ll be solving challenging problems within a talented team and a culture built for high performance. Our team out-think, out-work and out-care. We’re committed to delivering real change in the world - this isn’t easy, and in truth, we love that it’s hard.

We’re backed to deliver on a mission that matters by Tier 1 investors including Founders Fund, Bessemer Venture Partners, BOND, DCVC, Blackbird, Promus Ventures, Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck and Icehouse ventures.

To find out more, visit our LinkedIn & Instagram.

About the role

Farmers make better decisions when they know what's happening in their paddocks and across their herds. The data we collect on the ground is what makes that possible. Every measurement feeds the systems that power our platform.

This role owns that pipeline end to end. You'll build and lead our in-field data collection operation: recruiting and training regional contractors, designing the protocols they follow, and defining how we capture pasture, forage, and animal data. You'll be the person who turns “we need ground truth data on X” into a crew in a paddock collecting it well, and makes sure what comes back is ready to power our next generation of value delivery to farmers.

Office-based with regular trips into the field. You'll work closely with our machine learning team, but you don't need to be one of them. If you've run field trials, led agronomic research, or managed distributed field crews, this is built for you.

What you’ll do

Build and lead the field collection crew

• Recruit, onboard, and retain a network of regional contractors who collect data on our behalf


• Train collectors on protocols, tools, and quality standards, and keep them sharp as those evolve


• Manage day-to-day operations across regions, including scheduling, logistics, and seasonal ramp-ups

Design how we collect data

• Define and document protocols for capturing pasture, forage, and animal data in the field


• Evaluate and roll out new collection techniques and technologies as the platform grows


• Get out in the field regularly to pressure-test protocols and spot issues before they become patterns

Own data quality and flow

• Make sure data coming in is consistent, accurate, and fit for use


• Build feedback loops between collectors and the engineering team so issues get caught and corrected fast


• Grow our datasets over time, balancing coverage, quality, and cost

Partner with the machine learning teams

• Translate model needs into collection plans the field crew can actually execute


• Flag what's working, what's not, and where the next investment should go

What we’re looking for

• Demonstrated ownership of a process comparable to a data/annotation operation end-to-end (collection and/or labelling), including quality systems and delivery against schedules.


• Comfort translating ambiguous engineering team needs into precise operational specs: label definitions, edge-case handling, escalation rules, and measurable acceptance criteria.


• Capability to move with urgency: Of the Halter Operating principles, moving with urgency is particularly relevant. Data collection is one of the most laborious phases of model development. The faster it moves, the faster we can deliver value to farmers and ranchers.


• Strong service mindset: you are passionate about making the cross-functional system work, and passionate about the success of your client teams (ML engineering teams).

Our Office First Approach

There’s a reason you visit your friends in person, live with your family and don’t do dinners over Zoom. Humans are wired for connection. We believe a world-class, in-person office culture is the best way for high-performing teams.

Being office first is a core pillar of our culture. We believe in-person connections are key to driving your own growth, learning, impact, and building genuine long-lasting relationships. Strong relationships make it easier to disagree, give feedback, and do meaningful and aligned work. We don’t like having heaps of rules or policies, but this means having strong, trusted relationships is critical.

We’re office first, not office only. This means working from the office everyday is our default setting, but we flex when we need to. We have a high-trust culture, so everyone is trusted to do what’s best for Halter.

Our office vibe is something special, it’s hard to describe until you’re here, but people at Halter who have come from fully remote or hybrid companies say they could never go back - the high energy and spectacular people they are now surrounded by everyday makes work so enjoyable. Your growth, your learning and your impact is truly unlimited here, and a big part of that comes from being together solving problems, innovating, building context, and constantly learning from each other.

Join our team

Halter is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace — a place where we can each be ourselves and do the best work of our lives. Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and under-represented groups of candidates tend to only apply when they meet every requirement.

Why our team loves working at Halter:

• Work that genuinely matters. Every now and again a company comes along that transforms an entire industry and leaves the world in a better place. Our team gets to be part of something truly meaningful, helping farmers improve their livelihoods, spend more time with their families, and build more sustainable operations.


• Spectacular people solving hard problems. Our culture is designed for talented people to do work that changes lives. The team is filled with diverse, kind, and driven people who push each other to do their best work. You'll be thrown into the deep end, tackling complex challenges and building something tangible that solves real problems.


• You’ll grow here. Autonomy, mastery, and learning define how we work. You'll have the freedom to work on interesting problems, master new skills, and continuously develop yourself, both through your role and our $1,000 personal growth fund.


• This isn't easy, and we love that it's hard. Working at Halter will be the most rewarding and the most challenging work of your life. We move fast, take bold bets, and work hard to reshape an entire industry. As one team member put it: “Joining Halter is a bit like strapping yourself to a rocket ship, but it's an epic journey to be a part of!”