Dairy Herd Manager

Dairy Herd Manager

Vacancy Reference: 54968 AB

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Are you an experienced Dairy Herd Manager? Do you have people management experience? Have you got training in herd management software particularly in Uniform Agri?

The Company

An established mixed farming business.

The Job Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Dairy Herd Manager to lead and manage an organic, regenerative dairy operation. The Dairy Herd Manager will support in overseeing the day to day management of the herd, with a strong focus on staff leadership, herd health and fertility, milking operations, and grazing management.

The successful Dairy Herd Manager will bring expertise in calf health, nutrition, artificial insemination, foot trimming and data driven decision making. Proficiency in Uniform Agri software is essential, alongside training in Cow Signals and ROMS locomotion, to ensure optimal herd performance and welfare.

As Dairy Herd Manager, you will work closely with vets, foot trimmers, nutritionists and specialist suppliers, building a strong support team network. Leading by example, driving team engagement with strong communication, and using data to meet estate wide targets and objectives will be central to this role.

Location

East Anglia Region.

Salary Package

£40,000 - £45,000 basic salary depending on skills and experience, plus accommodation and benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Cleanliness and Pride
  • Maintain a "show farm" standard across the dairy unit, reflecting frequent public visits and events.
  • Ensure the farm is consistently tidy, well presented and professionally managed.
• Staff Management
  • Manage and organise staff rotas to ensure efficient daily and seasonal dairy operations, covering milking, feeding and routine duties.
  • Train, mentor and motivate staff to maintain high standards of animal welfare and farm operations, following protocols set by the wider team.
  • Communicate clearly through farm messaging platforms, collecting and using data to drive team performance.
  • Develop, update and implement clear protocols and procedures to structure workloads and accountability.
• Milking Operations
  • Lead and oversee all milking operations, ensuring procedures are followed to maintain milk quality and herd health.
  • Set and achieve targets for milk quality and yields.
  • Review, reset and implement robust milking protocols, addressing issues promptly.
  • Record, treat cows using data sheets to meet compliance requirements.
  • Coordinate projects, engineers and contractors to resolve parlour, tank or refrigeration issues.
• Grazing Management
  • Plan and manage grazing schedules to optimise pasture use and animal nutrition with the grassland team.
  • Monitor grass growth and quality, adjusting plans as required.
  • Provide weekly sheets outlining paddock management and communicate with tractor operators on mowing and slurry addition.
  • Record plate meter readings regularly on Agrinet.ie.
• Calf Health and Nutrition
  • Manage calf rearing practices, ensuring health, growth and welfare of youngstock.
  • Implement and monitor feeding programmes.
  • Manage cow colostrum, including store, thaw and calf colostrum quality testing.
  • Monthly weigh and record weights to meet soil association and milk supplier contracts.
  • Drive low calf mortality and maintain accurate weight records.
• Artificial Insemination
  • Lead AI programmes and procedures to achieve genetic improvement.
  • Work with external providers to secure staff cover during shortages.
  • Achieve >75% submission rate, walking cows twice a day, driving heat detection; aim for pregnancy rate close to 30% or empty rate
  • Ensure cows have collars added when entering the herd.
• Foot Trimming and Herd Health
  • Oversee regular foot trimming, lameness prevention and foot baths.
  • Work closely with vets to maintain a comprehensive herd health plan.
  • Make lists for foot trimmer on bi weekly visits and identify lame cows promptly.
  • Preferred but not essential to have Dairyland training in trimming.
• Winter Housing
  • Scrape the yard, wash and lime cubicles regularly; delegate tasks to the team for clean water troughs and feed passageways.
• Dairyland Initiative
  • Implement and promote sustainable farming practices in line with the Dairyland Initiative.
  • Engage with the wider agricultural community to maintain industry best practices.
• Grassland Societies, Networking and Pride of Work
  • Represent the farm in local walk ins, share knowledge, and maintain a "show farm" mentality.
• Veterinary Collaboration
  • Work closely with veterinary professionals to monitor welfare and intervene timely.
  • Maintain detailed health records and ensure yearly vaccinations.
• Systems, Data and Compliance
  • Use Uniform Agri software daily for herd records, analysis and reporting.
  • Ensure accurate completion of all farm diaries (Vet & Med, AI, NMR).
  • Apply Cow Signals and ROMS locomotion scoring to improve welfare and performance.
• Busy Times of Year
  • Be present during the busiest seasons, April-June and August-December.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience in dairy herd management.
• Strong background in artificial insemination, calf health, nutrition and foot trimming.
• Familiarity with grazing management, fertility, milking operations and sustainable farming practices.
• Proficient in Uniform Agri software.
• Training in Cow Signals and ROMS locomotion essential.
• Excellent leadership and staff management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Holding an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification.