Overview
Reaseheath College, one of the UK's leading land-based colleges with over 100 years of excellence, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Dairy Herd Manager to join our progressive farm team. Our award-winning farm is a centre of excellence for agricultural education and innovation, supporting a 300-head pedigree Holstein and Ayrshire dairy herd, sheep, and arable enterprises. With cutting-edge facilities including a GEA rapid exit parlour, Lely A5 robotic milkers, and a Lely Vector feeding system, we are proud to be at the forefront of UK land-based education and farming innovation.
About the role
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Dairy Herd Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our dairy herd and youngstock. Reporting to the Farm Manager, you will play a key role in delivering the College's dairy strategy, working closely with the dairy team, and ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, herd health and operational efficiency. Your role will include developing and maintaining herd health and fertility plans, managing breeding and youngstock, and ensuring compliance with all legislative and quality assurance standards. In addition to your operational responsibilities, you will play a key role in supporting the academic team by delivering practical instruction and mentoring students, helping to shape the next generation of agricultural professionals. You will also contribute to the development and implementation of new technologies and systems, ensuring the farm remains at the forefront of industry innovation.
Key responsibilities
* Lead the daily management of the dairy herd, including milking, herd health, foot care, and dry cow care.
* Contribute to the research, development, and implementation of innovative technologies and equipment to improve farm efficiency and animal welfare.
* Support the ongoing development of the dairy herd and systems in line with evolving industry standards and best practices.
* Collaborate with the Farm Manager on nutrition, breeding, and herd management strategies.
* Deliver high-quality practical instruction to students, supporting their learning and development.
* Maintain accurate records for breeding, health, and compliance with legislative and educational standards.
The successful candidate will
* Proven experience in dairy herd management, including milking operations, herd health, and youngstock care.
* Relevant qualifications at Level 3 or equivalent vocational experience.
* Technical expertise in dairy technologies, with desirability for including robotic milking systems (e.g., Lely A5) and automated feeding systems.
* Record of involvement in the management of a high performing enterprise including meticulous record keeping.
* Experience of external audits e.g. Dairy inspections, red tractor, etc.
We can offer you
* 35 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* A two-week festive/New Year shut down
* Generous pension scheme with an employer contribution of 20.8%
* Enhanced sick pay of up to 6 months full pay depending upon service
* On-site gym membership available
* Pluxee reward scheme
* Free Parking
For more information, please refer to the additional job description.
Please note this role constitutes 'regulated activity' as defined by the Protection of Freedom Act 2012. The successful candidate will therefore be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check with barred list information prior to starting employment. You must also have the right to work in the UK and will be required to provide evidence to support this. In addition, online checks will be carried out during the recruitment process. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Reaseheath College is committed to achieving its public sector general equality duty, which is set out in the Equality Act 2010. The College has a clear mission and clear values, which incorporate equality, diversity and inclusion.
The College staff recruitment and selection process, CPD processes, policies and practice are designed to ensure that when employment decisions are made, they are based solely on the skills and qualities required for the position and comply with all relevant employment legislation and best practice standards.
Disability Support
The College is a Disability Confident Employer and will support any reasonable adjustments you require to perform your best during the recruitment process. You can contact the HR team at [emailprotected] should you require any adjustments during either your application or during the assessment centre.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised close date if we receive a sufficient number of applications.
We do not accept applications or speculative CVs through recruitment agencies.
We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the adverts should we receive a sufficient level of interest! Please note most roles advertised on AoC Jobs are posted directly by the college or employing organisation and are not being handled by the AoC Recruitment Team. If you would like to hear about interim and/or permanent roles being handled by AoC Recruitment, please send your CV to [emailprotected] and one of the team will be in touch.
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