Farm Manager - Aurora Dairies

About Aurora Dairies

Aurora Dairies is committed to a long-term investment in the Australian Dairy Industry and operates a portfolio of 56 dairy farms; 49 across south-eastern Australia, as well as 7 dairy farms in New Zealand.

Aurora relies on local expertise to operate and improve the productivity of its dairy farms by employing and developing great people, investing in technology, implementing innovative farm development strategies and infrastructure. Aurora’s operating culture prioritises the health and safety of its employees - inclusive of a strong work-life balance, animal welfare and seeks to positively contribute to the environment and communities in which Aurora operates.

What Aurora Dairies can offer you

Aurora Dairies are currently seeking a Farm Manager for a dairy farm in Winnindoo, located 5 minutes from Heyfield and 25 minutes from Traralgon or Sale. The farm is approximately 550ha in total area with 174ha under pivot irrigation and 150ha in flood irrigation.

Currently milking 1200 cows, through a 50 bail rotary shed with ACR’s and auto teat spray. The farm is predominantly pasture based with grain fed in the dairy and silage fed out on the feed pad. The farm also has a run off area where the cows are sent when they are dry and we also make supplementary feed off it. This farm is 80% Spring and 20% Autumn calving starting in August and February with cross breed cows.

Accommodation is available in a family home along with a vehicle included in the package and there could be opportunities for employment for your partner on one of our nearby farms, if required.

As Farm Manager you will need to be a team player creating an environment where people can develop to help achieve desired outcomes. You will have well developed pasture management and animal husbandry skills and understand the demands of large-scale dairy farming. Safety will be at the forefront of everything you do.

Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager, you will:

• Ensure safe operations across the property through the implementation of our Safety Management System
• Manage and direct staff to achieve positive outcomes
• Exhibit sound and accurate judgement to ensure the highest standards of animal health and welfare
• Report on farm plans and inventory
• Paddock inspection estimating quality and availability of pastures    
• Implement stock rotations and contribute to plans for future feed budgets
• Feed management to support achievement of budgeted production targets
• Monitor and maintain water and fencing
• Maintain accurate stock, treatment, and feeding records
• Operate and maintain plant and equipment
• Coordinate contractors for required fertiliser, hay/silage making activities
• Implement sustainable farming practices
• Adhere to company policies and safe work procedures.

The desired skills and experience for this opportunity are:

You will be an energetic, and self-motivated individual with strong cattle and pasture management skills, who is keen to get stuck in and get the job done. You will work well on your own but equally work in very well amongst a team - we have 19 dairy farms in this regional group (17 in Gippsland and 2 in Northern Victoria) and our Farm Managers meet regularly as a team for peer group meetings to share advice and support each other to achieve goals. 

You will have:

• Previous experience as a Dairy Farm Manager in a large-scale livestock operation
• People management skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead and direct peers and work as a valuable team member
• Reporting and computer skills
• Demonstrated ability to follow and implement budgeted outcomes to optimise profitability
• Demonstrated experience in the management and handling of livestock
• Pasture based farming experience
• Side by Side and tractor operation skills
• Initiative to complete operational tasks that contribute to the team
• Ability to support and implement safe work procedures
• Willingness to learn new systems of work, we are open to new ways of farming and therefore employ innovative managers who are willing to try new technology.

What makes Aurora Dairies unique?

• A true safety focus across the entire company. Safety first, what’s the rush. Aurora Dairies was the WorkSafe Victoria 2021 winner of the Commitment to Workplace Health and Safety on a Farm Award.
• A strong focus on fatigue management and work hours. We pride ourselves on work-life balance.
• Opportunities to grow your career through professional development and other training opportunities. Learning and development of our people is a strong focus at all levels of the organisation.
• An organisation that has made commitments to sustainability and is putting that into action.
• Being part of an organisation of which integrity, trust and collaboration are their core values.

If you have a passion for dairy and agriculture and are looking for your next step in a progressive dairy company, please submit your updated resume and cover letter as soon as possible as applications will be assessed as they received. 

For further information, please contact us at [email protected] or you can contact Sam Dunbar (Regional Operations Manager) on 0431 489 057.

Please note, we may only make contact with you if your profile is suitable to the requirements of this position. Applicants without full Australian working rights cannot be considered for this role.