Academic ConnectDairy Farm Manager
Dairy Farm Manager
Role Introduction/ About the Role:
The Dairy Farm Manager is responsible for the safe operation of the Livestock Enterprises at the Cambridge University Farm including staff and students. Current livestock numbers are 200 dairy cows, 150 followers and 250 breeding sheep. The position is responsible for all forage operations required to support the livestock enterprises. The farm is a teaching resource to the Department of Veterinary Medicine and must be run as an exemplar facility with very high standards of health and welfare.
Key Responsibilities:
The role is to manage all aspects of the livestock enterprises ensuring that this part of the farm's business is run as efficiently and as profitably as possible. In carrying out the role, the holder will need to ensure that: -
- the standards demanded by the appropriate livestock assurance schemes, as well as Government Agencies which are enforced through bodies such as the Environment Agency, are met.
- the obligations to support the teaching of veterinary students are met.
- compliance with both the Health and Safety Policy of the University and the Health and Safety Executive.
- that records of all pesticide use on the crops is available, done in conjunction with the ED Rural Surveyor.
The role holder shall be responsible for the day-to-day management (allocation, prioritisation of work), appraisal and additional training/development of 3 staff. In addition, several contract staff will be engaged to meet peak workloads/periodical requirements. The role holder is also responsible for any non-Cambridge students (Veterinary or agricultural) gaining work experience, a scheme the farm participates in.
The role holder is a key input for the livestock enterprise into the whole farm strategy and is the main point of contact for the farms Anaerobic Digester.
About you:
- Extensive practical and managerial experience of animal husbandry including health and nutrition, fertility, business planning and budgeting
- Experienced people manager with evidence of managing performance of large teams for high quality results
- Experience of running a farm with team of similar role
- Evidence of working at a strategic level to create and deliver organisation wide change
- Demonstrable track record of shaping, as relevant, policy, strategy and practise in their area.
- Ability to develop and maintain their own knowledge in their field
- Strong ability to build relationships at all levels of the organisation
- Good organisational and planning skills
- Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Highly proactive, persuasive, energetic and enthusiastic
- Experience in forage conservation
- Qualified in artificial insemination
- Technical skills necessary to operate robotic milking and calf rearing systems
- Complete understanding of the activities and requirements of Government and regulatory bodies such as DEFRA, the RPA and the Environment Agency and legislation affecting modern farming procedures
- Proficiency and appropriate certification for the physical aspects of agricultural work, e.g. manual handling, use of loaders, first aid
- Computer literate with a knowledge of systems, e.g. email, the appropriate storage and transfer of official data, Microsoft
- Ability to plan, prioritise
- Ability to solve problems, devise innovative solutions negotiation skills.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please email Estates Division on EDR@admin.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference XM49267 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Key information
Department/location
Estates Division - Business Services
Salary
£63,606-£67,468
Reference
XM49267
Category
Date published
30 March 2026
Closing date
15 April 2026
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