Area Manager - Southland

DairyNZ's story

Progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming

Te whanake anamata angitu mo nga pamu kau o Aotearoa

We are full of people who have a passion for doing good and creating positive change. We leverage our collective strength by bringing the dairy sector together, helping farmers build more sustainable, profitable and resilient farm businesses, because a strong dairy sector means a strong New Zealand.

Your opportunity

Due to internal movement in the team, we are looking for an Area Manager based out of our Invercargill office. This position is an essential part of our regional team working with dairy farmers, partners, and stakeholders to deliver the required elements of the DairyNZ strategic programmes. The role provides technical leadership and expertise in farm systems and plays a critical part in maintaining a strong and influential presence with dairy farming communities, local industry partners and stakeholders providing leadership and enabling partnerships.

Reporting to the Regional Manager – Lower South Island, alongside your team you will work with the farmers, stakeholders and partners to deliver a regional plan based on our programmes, including:

* Relationship management, including farmers and industry partners

* Large event delivery and organisation

* Facilitation of events

* Participation in partner or stakeholder events

* Support farmers to improve farming practices using farm systems lens

* Understand farmer needs and referral to industry partners

About you

You will have a passion for doing good, getting to the heart of scientific facts and creating real-world solutions, ideally holding a degree in Agriculture, Commerce or Science. As a team player and the area expert in our team, you will display a high degree of integrity and professionalism while bringing a sense of fun and energy to the role.

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

* Practical New Zealand dairy farming experience

* Experience in agribusiness sales, or in adoption/extension

* Experience in delivering solutions to achieve practice change

* Farm Systems knowledge and can support farmers to 'connect the dots'

* Proven ability to build effective networks and relationships

* High level ability in facilitation, communication and presentation

* Ability to travel within the Southland region

* High energy and passion for our sector

Sound good to you? Come join our team who together, are making a difference.

Check out the full position description here to read more detail. Applications close Sunday 4th 2025.