Area Manager - Upper South Island

Based in Canterbury, Lincoln office

Permanent, Full Time

DairyNZ’s story

Progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming

Te whanake anamata angitu mō ngā pāmu kau o Aotearoa

We are full of people who have a passion for doing good and creating positive change. We leverage our collective strength by bringing the dairy sector together, helping farmers build more sustainable, profitable and resilient farm businesses, because a strong dairy sector means a strong New Zealand.

Your opportunity

We are looking for an Area Manager to join our Upper South Island Team, based out of the Lincoln office. This role is an essential part of our regional team working with dairy farmers, partners, and stakeholders to deliver the required elements of the DairyNZ strategic programmes. The role requires strong farm systems knowledge, proven, practical dairy farming experience, and the confidence to engage with farmers on real-world farming challenges. It provides technical leadership and expertise in farm systems and plays a critical part in maintaining a strong and influential presence with dairy farming communities, local industry partners and stakeholders, and enabling partnerships.

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Regional Manager – Upper South Island, alongside your team you will work with the farmers, stakeholders and partners to deliver a regional plan based on our programmes, including:

• Relationship management, including farmers and industry partners

• Large event delivery and organisation

• Facilitation of events

• Participation in partner or stakeholder events

• Support farmers to improve farming practices using farm systems lens

• Understand farmer needs and referral to industry partners

• Understand farmer needs and connect them with industry solutions

About you

You will have a passion for doing good, getting to the heart of scientific facts and supporting farmers with practical, real-world solutions. This role is best suited to someone who brings strong farm systems capability and proven, hands-on dairy farming experience, alongside the confidence to work directly with farmers and industry partners. Ideally, you will also hold a degree in Agriculture, Commerce or Science. You will be a true team player and will display a high degree of integrity and professionalism while bringing a sense of fun and energy to the role.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Proven, practical New Zealand dairy farming experience, with the ability to apply this knowledge in conversations with farmers

• Experience in agribusiness sales, or in adoption/extension

• Experience in delivering solutions to achieve practice change

• Strong farm systems knowledge and the ability to support farmers to ‘connect the dots’ across their farming business

• Proven ability to build effective networks and relationships

• High level ability in facilitation, communication and presentation

• Ability to travel within the Canterbury region

• High energy and passion for our sector

Why you should join us

Make a difference - Together with our farmers, help us drive positive progress for the sector and country we love. Our credible work supports a sustainable future for farmers, the environment and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bring the whole you- We put people at the heart of what we do. We welcome all that you are and support your wellbeing, so you thrive personally and professionally.

Join a vibrant culture - Be part of a team that truly believes in our values. We have the courage to take bold action and the curiosity to drive innovation. Our credibility shines in our evidence-based work and our connectedness builds meaningful, collaborative relationships.

Empowering you - We succeed when you do, which is why we champion the development and growth of our people. We empower you to do and be at your best through learning opportunities and great benefits.

Ready to lead and grow with us?

Apply now and be part of a team shaping the future of dairy farming. 

To apply click the "Apply" button to complete the registration via the DairyNZ website.

Applications close 30 August 2026 at 10.00pm.

Please note:

• Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and shortlisting may commence before the closing date.

• This position has been previously advertised. Previous applicants have already been considered as part of the earlier recruitment process and will not be reassessed for this vacancy.

• You must have valid working rights in New Zealand to be considered for this position.