Stud Farm Manager

Stud Farm Manager – Progressive Deer & Livestock Operation (South Canterbury)

Melior Venison is seeking a forward-thinking Stud Farm Manager to lead one of New Zealand’s most progressive deer farming operations. This is a rare opportunity for a proven farm leader to step into broader responsibility and influence. You’ll be trusted to lead people, refine systems, and help shape the future within a clear strategic framework of a high-performance business. If you’re motivated by growth, innovation, and doing things better –this role offers genuine scope to build a meaningful career. This is farming with intent, direction and momentum.

About Melior Venison

Melior Venison is a diversified farming business operating across three properties totalling 2,550 hectares and approximately 25,000 stock units, including:

• 5,000 deer (featuring a leading Red Deer venison stud)
• 1,500 cattle
• 2,150 ewes

Kowhais Block – 800 hectares (Stud Farm Manager Role)

• 3,000 deer (2,500 stud)
• 500 cattle
• 2,000 finishing lambs
• 180ha under irrigation
• Rolling downs, flats, and small steeper blocks

We are industry leaders in genetics and technology, running world-class AI and embryo transfer programmes in-house, supported by internationally based geneticists. Our stud deer are widely recognised for their performance, temperament, and genetic consistency. At Melior, we believe in evolving farming systems — economically, environmentally, and socially. We actively invest in people, ideas, and technology because better people create better farming businesses.

The Role

This is a hands-on leadership role with genuine scope to grow. You will manage 4 + staff and approximately 12,000 stock units on the Kowhais Block, including the majority of our stud deer, as part of a wider, collaborative business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, mentoring, and developing a team of permanent and casual staff
• Day-to-day management of 2500 + stud deer
• Implementing advanced breeding programmes, including: o Overseeing and supporting a 2–5 day surgical embryo transfer programme
• Including the surgery of 300-750 animals)
• Velvet management
• Data collection, animal assessment, and performance analysis
• Finishing systems for lambs, cattle, and deer
• Feed and pasture management, including budgeting.
• Irrigation management and planning

You’ll be well supported by:

• Farm owners working within the business in different areas
• A business manager
• Independent agronomy and fertiliser consultants
• Seasonal casual staff during peak periods

This role suits someone who leads from the front, enjoys developing people, and takes pride in building both animals and teams for the future.

You’ll work closely with the owner and business manager while having the trust, responsibility, and freedom to influence systems, processes, and outcomes.

Career Pathway

This role offers genuine long-term opportunity. Melior Venison actively supports career development, expanded leadership responsibility, and future progression within the business. The previous manager has moved on to farm ownership, and we are open to discussing pathways that align ambition with performance.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A confident communicator and natural leader
• Invested in developing people and building strong teams
• Curious, tech-savvy, and open to new ways of doing things
• Practical, organised, and commercially minded
• Committed to high standards of stockmanship and record-keeping
• Experienced with livestock and dogs
• Deer experience is an advantage, but not essential
• Comfortable taking ownership, making decisions, and being accountable for outcomes

Most importantly, you’re someone who wants to be part of something progressive.

What We Offer

• Renovated, large 4-bedroom family home
• Competitive salary package + meat
• Ongoing professional development and training
• Exposure to cutting-edge genetics, technology, and systems
• Supportive, forward-thinking team culture
• Excellent lifestyle location — just 20 minutes from Fairlie, close to: o Lake Opuha o Ski fields o Hunting and fishing

Why Melior?

Because this is more than a standard farm management role. It’s an opportunity to grow your capability, expand your leadership, and be part of a business that’s shaping the future of venison farming in New Zealand.

How to Apply

If this role aligns with your skills, ambition, and longer-term career goals, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV along with a brief cover letter outlining your experience, what attracts you to this opportunity, and where you see your career heading.

We encourage applicants to outline their longer-term career goals as part of their application.

Applications will be treated in strict confidence.