Senior Dairy Operations Manager - Ngatea, NZ

Pouarua Farms is looking for a Senior Dairy Operations Manager to provide leadership across its dairy portfolio on the Hauraki Plains. Operating seven dairy farms milking approximately 4,000 cows, alongside beef, cropping and blueberry enterprises, Pouarua is a significant farming business jointly owned by Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Tara Tokanui and Te Patukirikiri.

This position reports directly to the Chief Executive and will play a critical role in shaping the future performance of the dairy business. You'll be responsible for building capable leaders, creating clarity and accountability and ensuring each farm consistently delivers safe, profitable and sustainable outcomes.

The scale of the operation creates genuine variety. You'll work alongside Farm Managers and Contract Milkers to improve farm performance, support seasonal planning, review results and help solve the practical challenges that come with running multiple dairy farms. Some days you'll be focused on pasture, feed and production performance, while others will involve coaching managers, reviewing budgets or helping prioritise improvement projects. Throughout it all, your focus will be on building capable teams and creating consistency across the portfolio.

What makes this opportunity particularly distinctive is the balance between commercial performance and purpose. Pouarua's values of Kaitiakitanga, Manaakitanga, Mahi Tahi and Whanaungatanga, and Pono me te Tika underpin the way decisions are made and success is measured. The role requires someone who can achieve strong commercial results while recognising their responsibility to the whenua, people, animals and future generations.

The successful candidate will already have earned credibility in the dairy industry through experience and results. You may be leading a large dairy operation, supporting multiple farms or working in a senior production or operations role. Either way, you'll be someone who enjoys helping others succeed, can see the bigger picture, and understands what drives performance on farm.

Your experience is likely to include:

• Developing Farm Managers and operational leaders.
• Financial management, budgeting and forecasting.
• Pasture based dairy systems and farm performance improvement.
• Building capability, accountability and consistency within teams.
• Improving production and business performance.
• Working within health and safety, environmental and animal welfare requirements.

This is a rare opportunity to join a farming business where scale, purpose and leadership responsibility come together. If you enjoy building high-performing teams, creating clarity from complexity and making a lasting contribution to the success of a significant Māori agribusiness, this role offers an outstanding career opportunity.

Apply Now 

• The Job Description can be found 
• More about Pouarua Farms can be seen here: Farm overview

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity reach out to our recruitment partners at No8HR by emailing [email protected] or calling him on 029 222 0019