Farm Manager

Bluebell Dairy is a family run Dairy farm and award winning farm attraction on the outskirts of Derby city. The farm has been in the Brown family since 1953 when Grandpa Brown first moved in and we have been milking cows ever since.

In 2008 we diversified into ice cream production and opening our farm to visitors so that they could meet our animals and play whilst they enjoy our delicious artisan ice cream. We now welcome 80,000 visitors a year to our family farm

Since 2008 we have earnt the reputation of creating exceptional quality, artisan ice cream as well as delivering an interactive, customer focussed day out. We have our determined and conscientious team to thank for that.

We are now entering a huge period of business investment and growth. Expanding our ice cream production, investing in a new high welfare dairy cow unit with robotic milking system, creating an immersive ice cream parlour experience, increasing our seasonal events as well as adding more play facilities.

Our business aim is to increase our visitor numbers to 150,000 within 5 years. We believe we can achieve this by addition of new facilities as well as adding experiences to the visitor’s visit.

We are looking for the right person who seeks a challenge in helping us achieve this task and to develop the business, providing security for years to come.

Experience

· Minimum 2 years leading a team

· Minimum 3 years of caring for livestock i.e sheep, pigs, goats, cows

· Evidence of successful collaborative working with senior managers

· Tractor driving and other machinery i.e telehandler, trailers etc

Skills

· Administering drugs

· Record keeping

· Excellent communication skills

· Well organised and capable of meeting deadlines

· Good time keeping skills

· Leadership to motivate a team of Farm Assistants

· Ability to teach and develop team members about farming practices

· High level of attention to detail

· Able/ willing to learn to operate a robot milking system

Knowledge:

· Animal health and husbandry with an eye for spotting illnesses

· Grassland management

· Animal nutrition

· Calf rearing

· Paddock rotation

· Good understanding of H&S

· Good level of customer care knowledge

Qualities:

· Committed to growth and continuous improvement

· Striving for the best standards

· Self-motivated

· Clean and tidy in their practices

· Resourceful & able to think clearly under pressure

· Shares Bluebell Dairy’s values and ethos and committed to Bluebell Dairy’s vision

· Assertive but sympathetic. A good listener and non-defensive in approach

· Self-directed- Willing to take responsibility and be held accountable

· Receptive to ideas and changes of direction

· Works well under pressure

· A desire to create a positive experience for customers

Job description:

Reports to the Operations Manager of Bluebell Dairy ltd

Purpose of the job:

· To have involvement in the management of the dairy herd and the livestock on the Farm Park

· To ensure that the animals at Bluebell Dairy are in best health and well cared for

· To ensure that the farm park is being run to the best of it’s ability

· Responsibility for the grassland management

· Management of the robot milker

· Develop the productivity of the micro herd and the commercial farm

· Working with the board to help grow and develop the business and improve profitability

· Develop the breeding programme

· Purchasing and selling livestock

· To liaise with the Dairy Farm Director

· To oversee the Farm Assistants

· To complete accurate record keeping

· To ensure all staff operate efficiently and productively with high morale

· To manage the daily operations on the Farm Team effectively, ensuring everyone is clear of their role and responsibilities

Role and responsibilities:

In particular the Farm Manager has the following duties and responsibilities:

Farm:

· Oversee the activities of the Farm Assistants

· Daily dairy farm tasks such as scraping out, bedding down, mucking out, feeding and cleaning

· To ensure that the breeding programmes are meeting the businesses demands for different seasons

· Calving and calf rearing

· Lambing, kidding, farrowing and Alpaca unpacking and post birth care.

· Work with the Operations Managers to make sure that the daily activities and displays are of excellent standard to the public

Farm park:

· To create interactive activities for the public to take part in

· Ensuring the smooth running of the activities for the day

· Making sure the site is kept clean and tidy throughout the day

· Liaising with customers and dealing with any complaints

· Involvement in customer based activities

Admin:

· Data recording and production of reports as required

· Conducting bi annual performance reviews with Farm Assistants

· Red Tractor inspections

Hygiene H & S:

· Ensuring all precautions regarding zoonotic diseases are being adhered to

· Ensuring that all public areas are clean and tidy

· To ensure that the farm team are following the Industry Code of Practice at all times

Events:

· To Liaise with the Marketing and Events Manager about what animals will be required for certain seasonal events. Managing breeding to coincide with the events timetable.

Working hours

The livestock manager will work 42 hours per week. Including weekend work, public holidays and some evening work

Remuneration:

A salary of £26,500-£28,000 depending on experience

Applications:

A CV and covering letter, explaining how your personal qualities and attributes can contribute to the development of Bluebell Dairy and should be sent to ella@bluebelldairy.co.uk

Closing date:

8th May 2023

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £26,500.00-£28,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

Experience:

• livestock: 3 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person