Senior Operations Manager - Newstead, NZ

No8HR; Hauraki Plains; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

DairyNZ is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead performance across Scott Farm and Lye Farm, centres for pasture based systems and indoor dairy research. You will align science with practical farming delivery while upholding animal welfare, health and safety.

This leadership role covers people development, budgets, infrastructure, resource allocation and continuous improvement, with close collaboration with scientists and technicians to translate research into on-farm impact.

Job description

Strong dairy farming leadership makes a difference beyond the farm gate. This opportunity places you at the centre of the science, innovation and practical farming solutions that influence dairy businesses across New Zealand.

DairyNZ is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead performance across Scott Farm and Lye Farm. Scott Farm provides the platform for pasture based farm systems and environmental research, while Lye Farm is home to world class indoor dairy research focused on areas such as cow nutrition, milk harvesting and animal performance.

Over the years, Scott Farm and Lye Farm have contributed to some of New Zealand's most influential dairy research. This includes farm systems research investigating productivity, profitability and environmental outcomes, work that has improved understanding of nitrogen management and nitrate leaching, and studies that have helped evaluate future pasture species and farming systems. Research undertaken on these farms has also advanced knowledge of cow nutrition, milk harvesting, udder health, animal performance and methane emissions, helping provide practical, evidence-based solutions for dairy farmers

This is a genuine leadership role with variety and responsibility. Your scope will include people development, farm budgets, infrastructure and maintenance planning, resource allocation and continuous improvement. You’ll work closely with scientists and technical specialists, helping translate research requirements into practical on-farm delivery while maintaining strong standards of animal welfare, health and safety and farm management.

A key part of this role is bringing together the worlds of science and farming. The most successful person will understand that neither sits ahead of the other. Instead, you'll create a shared focus where research requirements are delivered in a practical farming environment, and farming decisions support the integrity of the research. By building trust, clear communication and a common sense of purpose, you'll help both teams succeed together

Full details about the role, the research farms and the experience we are looking for can be found in the attached Candidate Briefing Pack here