Assistant Farm Manager - Dairy Farm

North Waikato | 550 cows | Autumn calving

Kinvarra Farm is looking for an experienced Assistant Farm Manager who can step into the team and add value quickly.

This is a position for someone with solid dairy experience, good stock sense, and the confidence to hit the ground running. You’ll need to be practical, calm under pressure, and able to support the Farm Manager and wider team through a busy part of the season.

Be part of a well-established, family-owned dairy operation in the Waerenga Valley, around 10km east of Te Kauwhata. The Hickey family have farmed here for 50 years, and the business has strong systems, good support, and a clear focus on doing things properly.

You won’t be walking into chaos — but you will be walking into a busy farm in the middle of the season with mating underway.  The right person will quickly settle into the team, build strong working relationships, and become a trusted and reliable pair of hands.

If you are a capable dairy farmer who values high standards, communicates effectively, maintains accurate records, and demonstrates excellent stockmanship, this could be an outstanding next step in your career.

The farm

Kinvarra Farm milks 550 cows and produces around 200,000 kgMS. The milking platform is 225 effective hectares, with a further 40-hectare block supporting young stock. The farm is approximately 90% easy contour and operates as a System 4.

The farm has two herringbone sheds — one 28-aside and one 20-aside — and has recently completed upgrades to the feedpad, bunker and effluent system.

Autumn calving begins on 1 April, making this an excellent opportunity to come on board and establish yourself within the team as the season gets underway.

The role

As the Assistant Farm Manager, you will be a key support to the Farm Manager and will help lead the day-to-day running of the farm. You will be hands-on across all areas of the operation, while also helping set the standard for the wider team.

You will be involved in:

• Day-to-day milking, stock work and general farm operations
• Supporting and leading the team when required
• Maintaining strong milk quality standards
• Helping ensure farm KPIs are achieved
• Animal health monitoring and follow-up
• Accurate MINDA, OSPRI and farm recording
• Feed, pasture and seasonal management tasks
• Stepping up confidently in the Farm Manager’s absence

Animal health is a major priority at Kinvarra. The farm has a strong relationship with the local vet club, and the owners value people who are observant, proactive and genuinely care about stock.

About you

We are looking for someone who is already operating at a strong Assistant Farm Manager level and can step into a busy farming environment with confidence.

You will bring:

• Solid dairy farming experience
• Strong animal health and stockmanship skills
• A calm, practical approach under pressure
• The ability to read the play and use your initiative
• Good attention to detail
• Confidence with farm records and compliance requirements
• A positive, steady approach within a team
• The maturity to support the Farm Manager and step up when needed

You do not need to know this farm from day one — but you do need to be experienced enough to become useful quickly, ask good questions, and help keep things moving.

Why this role?

This is a good opportunity for someone who wants to build their leadership experience on a well-run, established farm with owners who are invested in the operation.

You will not be walking into a run-down setup. Recent infrastructure upgrades have been completed, the farm has clear systems, and there is experienced support around you.

For the right person, this is a role where you can grow your confidence, sharpen your leadership skills and be a genuinely important part of the farm’s success.

Location and accommodation

The role comes with a four-bedroom home, recently painted and double glazed.

Waerenga Primary School is around 5km away, and Te Kauwhata College is around 10km away, with the school bus stopping at the gate.

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