About the role
Location: Cumbria
Salary: £55,000–£75,000 DOE
Accommodation: Modern three-bedroom house with household bills included
Vehicle: Farm vehicle provided
Overview
An excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Herd Manager / Dairy Farm Manager
to take a key management position within a progressive, large-scale dairy business in Cumbria.
This position requires someone who is equally strong in two areas: exceptional dairy herd management and excellent people leadership.
You will take responsibility for the day-to-day performance of a large, high-output dairy herd while leading an established team. You will also play an important role in coordinating the wider farming operation, ensuring people, livestock and day-to-day activities work effectively together.
This is a position for an accomplished dairy professional who can make decisions, lead from the front and maintain consistently high standards.
Key Responsibilities
• Take day-to-day responsibility for the management and performance of a large dairy herd
• Maintain exceptional standards of cow health, welfare and husbandry
• Drive herd performance across fertility, transition, fresh cows, calving and milk quality
• Use herd records and performance information to identify issues and opportunities
• Ensure excellent standards and protocols are maintained throughout the dairy
• Lead, motivate and manage an established team
• Build strong working relationships across the workforce
• Manage staff rotas, workloads, holidays, absence and relief cover
• Delegate effectively and ensure clear accountability across the team
• Develop staff and maintain a positive, professional working environment
• Address performance issues and difficult conversations confidently when required
• Work closely with the farm office and senior management
• Coordinate effectively with the wider farming, maintenance and practical teams
• Ensure dairy requirements are communicated effectively across the wider operation
• Work closely with vets, nutritionists and other professional advisers
• Remain practically involved and be prepared to work alongside the team when required
Above all, you must have the ability to manage both cows and people exceptionally well. The role requires someone capable of earning the respect of an established team while maintaining the technical standards expected within a progressive dairy business.
Package
• £55,000–£75,000 depending on experience
• Modern three-bedroom house
• Household bills included
• Farm vehicle provided
• Approximately 50-hour working week
• Established team and staff structure
• Significant management responsibility and autonomy
• Excellent long-term opportunity within a progressive dairy business
• Ongoing investment in modern dairy facilities
For a confidential discussion or apply here
Qualifications & experience
- Extensive practical dairy and herd-management experience
- Must hold a recognised qualification or certification in cattle artificial insemination (AI).
- Must hold a recognised qualification or certification in cattle foot trimming.
- A proven track record of managing dairy cows to a high standard
- Excellent knowledge of herd health, fertility and cow welfare
- Strong transition, fresh cow and maternity management experience
- A commercial understanding of dairy herd performance
- Proven experience leading and managing a farm team
- Excellent people-management and relationship-building skills
- Confidence managing rotas, workloads and staffing requirements
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Ability to delegate while maintaining standards and accountability
- Confidence making day-to-day management decisions
- Ability to remain calm, organised and decisive in a busy farming environment
- Good understanding of wider farm operations
- A practical, hands-on approach
- Full UK driving licence
- No overseas sponsorship is available.
Candidate requirements
All applicants must hold a minimum of an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role applied for. Candidates must also have the legal right to work in the UK or hold a valid visa permitting employment.
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