Operations Manager | Dairy Farming | Taranaki
| Company | Theland Farm Group |
| Location | South Taranaki, Taranaki |
| Pay & Benefits | Vehicle, phone, laptop, competitive remuneration |
| Listed | Mon 9 Nov, 1:59 pm |
| Type | Full time, Permanent |
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Taranaki/Manawatu-based | Dairy Farming
REOPENED RECRUITMENT
Following a change in circumstances for our preferred candidate, we are reopening applications for this position.
Lead people. Drive performance. Shape the future of a growing dairy business.
Theland Farm Group is an established dairy farming business milking more than 20,000 cows across Canterbury, Taranaki and Waikato.
We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our Taranaki hub, overseeing two dairy farms and three support blocks, with further growth anticipated. The portfolio is located across the region between Hawera and Bulls.
This is a full-time leadership role with responsibility for the overall performance, planning and coordination of the Taranaki farming business. Working closely with the General Manager, farm management teams, contractors and external advisors, you will drive performance across production, people, financial and environmental outcomes within our pasture-based, low-input farming system.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the General Manager, you will provide leadership, direction and support to our on-farm management teams, ensuring they have the capability, systems and resources to deliver results.
You will translate business strategy into clear operational priorities, drive accountability and performance, and identify opportunities to continually improve the business. Balancing strategic oversight with a practical understanding of day-to-day farming operations will be key to success.
Key responsibilities
Operational & technical management:
• Support farm teams to achieve production and performance targets.
• Work with vets on mating, calving and animal health plans.
• Develop winter feed, pasture and supplement budgets and plans with the General Manager.
• Maximise pasture utilisation, feed efficiency and overall system performance.
Leadership & people:
• Lead, mentor and coach farm managers and sharemilkers.
• Be the key point of contact for on-farm management teams, providing direction, support and challenge.
• Build strong relationships through clear, practical communication.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture.
Financial management:
• Monitor farm financial performance, expenditure and operational budgets.
• Contribute to R&M, capital expenditure and development budgets.
• Oversee maintenance and development projects to ensure they are delivered effectively.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve financial performance.
Environmental management:
• Work with farm teams and advisors to operate within nutrient and water constraints.
• Balance environmental, production and financial objectives.
• Support initiatives that improve long-term environmental performance.
Technology & systems:
• Ensure accurate farm records, effective reporting and consistent systems are implemented across the group.
• Use data and technology to support informed decision-making.
• Be confident working with Microsoft 365 and agricultural platforms including Trev, MINDA and MyBallance.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for an experienced dairy professional with the leadership capability, commercial awareness and technical knowledge to oversee a multi-farm operation.
You will bring:
• Strong dairy farming knowledge and an understanding of pasture-based, low-input systems.
• Proven experience leading and developing people and management teams.
• Strong financial and operational management skills, with the ability to understand and influence business performance.
• A strategic mindset, combined with a practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to set clear expectations, drive accountability and bring people along with you.
• Confidence using farm management systems, technology and business reporting tools.
Most importantly, you will be a proactive and commercially minded leader who takes ownership, looks for opportunities to improve and enjoys developing people and building successful farming businesses.
WHAT WE OFFER
• Competitive remuneration package
• Company vehicle, phone and laptop
• Leadership role in an established and growing dairy farming operation
• Genuine responsibility and influence over business performance and future development
• The opportunity to work with an experienced team within a large-scale, progressive dairy business
APPLY NOW
If you’re ready for a role where your leadership, dairy expertise and business skills can make a real difference, we’d like to hear from you.
Please apply online or send a cover letter and current CV, including references, to:
fliss.woodhouse@thelandfarmgroup.com
Applicants must be living in New Zealand and have the right to work here.
Taranaki/Manawatu-based | Dairy Farming
REOPENED RECRUITMENT
Following a change in circumstances for our preferred candidate, we are reopening applications for this position.
Lead people. Drive performance. Shape the future of a growing dairy business.
Theland Farm Group is an established dairy farming business milking more than 20,000 cows across Canterbury, Taranaki and Waikato.
We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our Taranaki hub, overseeing two dairy farms and three support blocks, with further growth anticipated. The portfolio is located across the region between Hawera and Bulls.
This is a full-time leadership role with responsibility for the overall performance, planning and coordination of the Taranaki farming business. Working closely with the General Manager, farm management teams, contractors and external advisors, you will drive performance across production, people, financial and environmental outcomes within our pasture-based, low-input farming system.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the General Manager, you will provide leadership, direction and support to our on-farm management teams, ensuring they have the capability, systems and resources to deliver results.
You will translate business strategy into clear operational priorities, drive accountability and performance, and identify opportunities to continually improve the business. Balancing strategic oversight with a practical understanding of day-to-day farming operations will be key to success.
Key responsibilities
Operational & technical management:
• Support farm teams to achieve production and performance targets.
• Work with vets on mating, calving and animal health plans.
• Develop winter feed, pasture and supplement budgets and plans with the General Manager.
• Maximise pasture utilisation, feed efficiency and overall system performance.
Leadership & people:
• Lead, mentor and coach farm managers and sharemilkers.
• Be the key point of contact for on-farm management teams, providing direction, support and challenge.
• Build strong relationships through clear, practical communication.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture.
Financial management:
• Monitor farm financial performance, expenditure and operational budgets.
• Contribute to R&M, capital expenditure and development budgets.
• Oversee maintenance and development projects to ensure they are delivered effectively.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve financial performance.
Environmental management:
• Work with farm teams and advisors to operate within nutrient and water constraints.
• Balance environmental, production and financial objectives.
• Support initiatives that improve long-term environmental performance.
Technology & systems:
• Ensure accurate farm records, effective reporting and consistent systems are implemented across the group.
• Use data and technology to support informed decision-making.
• Be confident working with Microsoft 365 and agricultural platforms including Trev, MINDA and MyBallance.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for an experienced dairy professional with the leadership capability, commercial awareness and technical knowledge to oversee a multi-farm operation.
You will bring:
• Strong dairy farming knowledge and an understanding of pasture-based, low-input systems.
• Proven experience leading and developing people and management teams.
• Strong financial and operational management skills, with the ability to understand and influence business performance.
• A strategic mindset, combined with a practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to set clear expectations, drive accountability and bring people along with you.
• Confidence using farm management systems, technology and business reporting tools.
Most importantly, you will be a proactive and commercially minded leader who takes ownership, looks for opportunities to improve and enjoys developing people and building successful farming businesses.
WHAT WE OFFER
• Competitive remuneration package
• Company vehicle, phone and laptop
• Leadership role in an established and growing dairy farming operation
• Genuine responsibility and influence over business performance and future development
• The opportunity to work with an experienced team within a large-scale, progressive dairy business
APPLY NOW
If you’re ready for a role where your leadership, dairy expertise and business skills can make a real difference, we’d like to hear from you.
Please apply online or send a cover letter and current CV, including references, to:
fliss.woodhouse@thelandfarmgroup.com
Applicants must be living in New Zealand and have the right to work here.
