Hedley is a pasture-first, grass-based farm set under the ranges. You’ll be managing a 650-cow operation across 225ha, milking through a 44-aside herringbone, with mixed terrain that offers real variety and keeps the job interesting.
This opportunity has come about through an internal promotion, with the current Farm Manager progressing into a broader leadership role within BEL Group. So, you’ll step into a well-established operation with a long-standing, experienced team.
Located around 20 minutes from Waipukurau, with a local primary school close by and other schooling options within easy reach, this is a practical move for someone wanting to grow within a progressive farming business.
About BEL Group
BEL Group is a large, family-owned dairy business in Central Hawke’s Bay, employing around 70 permanent staff across multiple farms and a central Business Services team. Values-led and people-focused, BEL Group is known for building long-term careers — with Working Together, Showing Pride, Delivering Results, and Being Responsible guiding how the business operates.
It’s also an exciting time to join as BEL Group is investing heavily in farm development and infrastructure, with major projects underway and a clear pasture-first strategy focused on getting the most from grass through simple, repeatable systems. With solid support behind the farms, this is a business where capable people are backed to grow and take on more.
The role
This is a hands-on Farm Manager role where you can really make your mark. The focus is on driving performance through disciplined pasture management — turning pasture data into smart decisions, keeping the system simple and repeatable, and executing the plan well every day.
Seasonal delivery is a big part of the challenge and the satisfaction. You’ll set the farm up for a strong calving, drive mating performance, and stay ahead of winter planning, while maintaining high standards of animal health, compliance and farm presentation.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience leading a dairy team and delivering results through people.
- Strong pasture skills and confidence running a pasture-first, grass-based system with sound feed decisions.
- Practical, organised operator who executes the plan, keeps systems simple, and stays ahead of calving, mating and winter.
- High standards in animal health and welfare, with tidy routines and accurate records (including NAIT).
- Comfortable with compliance and reporting, including environmental/effluent requirements and consent obligations.
- Good business discipline — budget awareness, strong farm presentation, and care of assets and machinery.
- Large-herd and multi-staff leadership experience is an advantage.
👉 Copy the following to apply Farm Manager - Hedley
💬 For a confidential discussion, contact Chloe on chloe@no8hr.com