Station Manager - Smedley Station

• Linkage to a legacy brand in a high profile position.
• Work within a well organised high performing farming operation.
• Opportunity to attach your brand to tomorrow's leaders.

WHERE

In 1919 Josiah Howard bequeathed Smedley Station to the Crown as an endowment to be carried on as a farm undertaking and to train young people in practical farming. Smedley exists as a training farm of excellence to develop the very best future farmers. The farming operation and cadet training farm is located in Tikokino, 40kms west of Waipukurau near the Wakarara and Ruahine Ranges in Central Hawke's Bay.

Over 90 years of training cadets, Smedley has grown to its current size of 5,600ha (3,606ha effective), wintering 30,000su. Within the Smedley farming operation there are four blocks including the main Smedley block, Parks Peak, Onepoto and Ridgelands.

WHAT

The Smedley Station Manager will be responsible for optimising the on-farm operations and the infrastructure of all properties under this farming umbrella. The appointed applicant will be highly skilled in all aspects of the farm business including a variety of land use types and stock rotations. You will also need to ensure Smedley Station's success as a commercial farming enterprise.

The Station Manager will work closely with the Smedley Cadet Training Facility to ensure alignment between the farming business and the training curriculum to ensure the delivery of practical on-farm training, and cadet development.

Additionally, you will be responsible for implementing the Smedley Station strategy and developing annual business and financial plans and initiatives to deliver on the agreed strategy.

To read more about the position and farm layout/business structure please visit - https://bit.ly/3FVqYXu

WHO

Smedley Station are looking for a Station Manager who has excellent communication and interpersonal relationship skills with the ability to relate to a wide range of people. The below are also key to success in this role:

• High level of stock and animal health knowledge and skills.
• High level of pasture management, feed budgeting and stock rotation knowledge and skills.
• Capable team of up to 5 working dogs.
• Experienced in leading and developing a team / cadet management.
• Sound computer literacy skills including in FarmIQ, FarmFocus or Xero.
• Sound reporting skills, a passion and ability to lead, manage, mentor, motivate and support the development of young people.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Self-motivated and punctual with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Flexible and adaptable and prepared to go the extra mile.
• Leads by example and behaves in a positive manner consistent with Smedley Station values and policy.
• Ability to effectively communicate with other stakeholders, including parents and guardians.
• Current First Aid Certificate.
• Valid New Zealand class 1 Driver's licence and Gun licence.

WHY

• The opportunity to attach your brand to tomorrow's leaders with positive training and development.
• To have exposure to professional agribusiness structures and governance.
• To work within a well organised high performing farming operation that has established excellent infrastructure and drives the farm production.
• To be the driver of farm production with the collaboration of well-established networks, suppliers
• To influence the direction of upcoming farmers in the primary sector.
• Linkage to a legacy brand in a high profile farm management position.
• There is a warm tidy functional 4 bedroom family home, with an office. There is garaging and has tidy easy-care gardens.
• The location of the station offers numerous recreational opportunities, from sporting through to hunting and fishing.

HOW

• To apply for this role, please hit the APPLY button
• For further information on this role please visit https://bit.ly/3FVqYXu
• For a confidential chat give the Rural Directions team a call on 06 871 0450

Applications close Sunday 6th July 2025 Only job seekers who have NZ working rights will be eligible for this role.