Assistant Dairy Manager - 1300 COW, FAMILY-OWNED DAIRY FARM, TASMANIA

Enjoy an affordable, outdoor lifestyle, helping manage a large-scale dairy.

Joint Role.

· Generous salary package – above-award wages, a recently renovated house and monthly $ incentives.

· Work for an industry-leading business – we take pride in innovation, quality, and sustainable farming practices.

· Work in a safe environment - We dedicate resources to safety as the well-being of our people and stock is paramount.

· Be valued – as a hands-on family business, you have contact with owners, so your contributions are important and your decisions make a real impact.

· Be rewarded and recognised for your work – We offer additional monthly $ incentives for individual achievement.

· Accommodation Provided - Live close to save on rental and travel costs, if required - options to suit different needs.

· Grow your skills and expertise – we offer upskilling to further your professional development.

· Be part of a young, energetic team – enjoy a positive, supportive work culture where everyone works together.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION:

Annandale Farm is a family-owned and run, diversified agricultural business in the Midlands of Tasmania, focused on industry-leading management. The business was purchased by Richard and Emily Gardner in 1995. The property is 2800 hectares (ha) with centre pivot irrigation covering cropping and dairy pasture. The dairy enterprise milks 1,300 Friesian/Jersey crossbred cows once a day, with all young stock and winter cows carried on farm. Our dairy herd has doubled in size in the last ten years, and we constantly innovate and use modern technologies. The farm also runs 4,500 Merino ewes for both wool and lamb production, primarily on dryland improved pastures. To support dairy and sheep operations, a diverse array of crops, including cereals, fodder, and grasses, are grown on site. The farm employs upwards of 10 staff at any time to manage the various enterprises within the business. We want to maximise the opportunities for our staff to enhance their careers by providing challenging roles and implementing best practice agricultural techniques.

We also have a strong focus on ensuring we operate with sustainability and the environment in mind. Over the last 3 years, we have been working with Fonterra and SeaForest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the farm. We are also committed to conserving the natural bush areas we have on Annandale. Initially setting aside 300 ha, we’ve now expanded this to 650ha - representing 30% of our farm.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and reliable individual to take on a Joint Assistant Dairy Manager role, working closely with the Dairy Production Manager to help run the day-to-day operations of the dairy and support longer-term planning. You’ll play a key role in keeping things running smoothly when the Manager is away and contribute to the farm’s success by helping manage pastures effectively and caring for healthy, productive livestock.

This position involves taking on leadership responsibilities, maintaining good communication with all staff, and promoting an enjoyable and fair work environment. It’s a hands-on role that requires teamwork, consistency, and a strong work ethic — as the cows need milking every day, reliability and commitment are essential. Dairy farming is physically and mentally demanding work, but also highly rewarding for those who take pride in doing the job well.

You’ll work closely with the farm team to complete a range of general daily tasks, including milking and other routine operations that keep the dairy running smoothly. Key responsibilities include grass and grazing management, irrigation maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure efficient farm performance. You’ll also take on people management duties, including delegating daily tasks and overseeing the team to ensure all work is completed to a high standard. The role involves working 5 days a week with one in three weekends as part of a shared roster.

Selection Criteria

We’re looking for someone who demonstrates strong perseverance and problem-solving ability.

A stable past job history demonstrating an excellent work ethic.

Proven history of working well as part of a team and communicating effectively.

Some experience in Agriculture, such as tractor operation or livestock work.

Proven reliability and punctuality in past roles - the cows need to be milked every day, so we require people who will be there when they say they will be.

Worked in roles in the past that required keen attention to detail.

Excellent English communication and interpersonal skills.

Current driver's licence and preferably your own transport.