Livestock Manager
Reporting to Farm Manager
Nature Permanent
Hours Full Time
Location Sandringham Estate
THE SANDRINGHAM ESTATE
The Estate is the country retreat of His Majesty the King and consists of 8,279 hectares of which 2,700 hectares are farmed in hand.
The Farms
The farming operation is a critical part of the Estate, and its primary objective is to farm organically in hand with nature. This means that whilst we have a clear purpose to produce sustainably grown food, we place the same importance on the management of habitats for the benefit of biodiversity.
The farms operation has been farmed organically since 2019. It is a mixed farm that currently consists of four key elements:
* Currently 2,400 ha of organic arable rotation, including fertility building herbal leys, cover crops, wheat, barley, rye, oats, peas.
* 200 ha of permanent pasture.
* Organic livestock:
o 1,000 breeding ewes (Aberfield).
o A commercial suckler herd of pedigree Beef Shorthorns.
o Small non-commercial herds of Longhorns and British White cattle have been introduced for conservation grazing.
* Extensive stewardship programmes across the in-hand farm.
The current 1000 strong Aberfield mule flock is self-replacing and produces finished lamb for a premium supermarket retailer. There is a strong emphasis on maternal, easy lambing genetics, and the use of technology to assist where appropriate. Ewes are lambed outdoors, and lambs are finished on a forage-only diet.
A herd of pedigree Beef shorthorn-based sucklers was established in 2021, with the aim of calving up to 100 cows within the next 3 years. The herd is over wintered in a new building with modern handling facilities, with an emphasis on safety and ease of operation. Currently all progeny is finished on-farm with 100% homegrown forage.
OVERALL JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Livestock Operations Manager holds strategic responsibility for the planning, performance, and continuous improvement of all livestock enterprises across the Estate. Working in close partnership with the Farm Manager, this role sets the long-term vision and annual targets for breeding, rearing, and finishing operations, ensuring alignment with the Estate's commercial, environmental, and welfare objectives.
This leadership role involves the design and oversight of integrated livestock strategies, including advanced grazing systems, genetic improvement programmes, and financial planning to drive productivity and sustainability. The Senior Livestock Operations Manager leads the development and implementation of robust operational frameworks, ensuring excellence in animal welfare, biosecurity, and compliance with all regulatory and assurance standards.
Accountable for the performance of the livestock team, this role provides strategic direction, coaching, and performance management to ensure high standards are consistently met. The postholder will oversee data integrity and reporting across all livestock records, ensuring readiness for audits and contributing to enterprise-wide decision-making.
As a key member of the farm's senior leadership team, the Senior Livestock Operations Manager collaborates across departments, represents the Estate in external partnerships, and plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of its livestock enterprises.
The Estate's Plan on a Page is attached, which records some key information including our core values.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITES
The following is intended to provide guidance as to duties but is not exhaustive. You will from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within your capabilities. Specific duties will include:
* Lead the operational management of the Estate's cattle and sheep enterprises, ensuring delivery against annual business objectives and long-term sustainability goals. Provide direct oversight of the beef enterprise and leadership to shepherds managing the sheep enterprise.
* Set and uphold exemplary standards of animal welfare across all livestock operations embedding best practice and continuous improvement through team leadership and operational systems
* Design and implement AMP grazing rotations for cattle, taking full responsibility for daily execution and outcomes. Coordinate and oversee rotational grazing plans for sheep, ensuring alignment with soil health and productivity targets, carried out by the shepherds under your guidance.
* Drive regenerative land management practices through grazing strategies that contribute to improved soil health, supporting broader Estate sustainability objectives. Collaborate closely with the Assistant Farm Manager and report progress to the Farm Manager.
* Support the professional development of team members in partnership with the Farm Manager, ensuring all training is current, relevant, and effectively delivered.
* Maintain strategic accountability for livestock data systems, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and readiness for audits and performance reporting to the Farm Manager.
* Collaborate with the Farm Manager to identify and pursue innovative and value-add opportunities for livestock products, enhancing commercial outcomes and brand reputation.
* Prepare financial forecasts and draft enterprise budgets, providing strategic input, together with the Farm Manager into resource allocation and investment decisions.
* Promote a positive and respectful working culture through strong leadership by building strong professional relationships across the team and wider Estate.
* Actively pursue ongoing professional development to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
* Ensure full compliance with the Estate's Health and Safety policies, promoting a proactive and preventative approach across all livestock operations
* Provide informed, strategic recommendations on livestock purchases to improve herd and flock genetics and productivity.
* Develop and implement a performance monitoring framework to track and improve key performance indicators, including soil condition, mortality rates, livestock health, and carcass grading outcomes.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
* A relevant university degree is essential, demonstrating a strong academic foundation in agriculture or a related field.
* Significant experience in a livestock management role is essential, with a proven track record of operational leadership and delivering strategic outcomes.
* Significant experience in managing spring outdoor lambing operations
* In-depth knowledge of regenerative grazing systems and their application in improving soil health, livestock performance, and enterprise sustainability. A thorough understanding of pedigree native cattle breeds and their management within a mixed farming context.
* Demonstrated expertise in spring calving of suckler cows, including managing progeny through to finishing.
* Ability to take a holistic and integrated approach to livestock management, with an understanding of its role within a broader mixed farming and Estate context.
* In-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks and assurance schemes (e.g. Red Tractor, RPA, AHPA, Soil Association).
* Experience in budget management, data analysis, and enterprise-level decision-making.
* Experience of overseeing Stewardship schemes
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience representing agricultural operations externally.
* Ability to bring initiative, energy, and enthusiasm, along with a genuine passion for livestock and land stewardship.
* The role demands flexibility, a positive outlook, and the ability to remain composed and effective under pressure.
* Applicants must be self-motivated, well-organised, and capable of leading and managing their team effectively.
* The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment is essential.
* A full UK driving licence is required.
* Own working dogs preferable but not essential.
You can also apply for this role by clicking the Apply Button.