Job Details
Category: Sheep and Beef
Location: Hawke's Bay
Rural Directions
Livestock Manager | Drumpeel Farms Ltd
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Located in Hawke’s Bay, 10 minutes from Hastings.
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Work within a high-performing, technology-invested business.
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The opportunity to operate at a senior level within a structured team.
WHERE
Drumpeel Farms Limited is a family-owned business in Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay, covering 1,400 ha on Horonui Road and 600 ha on Drumpeel Road. They run a high-performance lamb and bull finishing system alongside intensive arable cropping, finishing around 1,400 R2 Friesian bulls and 8,000–10,000 trade lambs annually, plus a small sheep breeding flock.
Drumpeel Farms Limited is a family-owned business in Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay, covering 1,400 ha on Horonui Road and 600 ha on Drumpeel Road. They run a high-performance lamb and bull finishing system alongside intensive arable cropping, finishing around 1,400 R2 Friesian bulls and 8,000–10,000 trade lambs annually, plus a small sheep breeding flock.
Both properties have strong infrastructure, with Drumpeel focused on cereal, vegetable, and small seed production. Seasonal priorities shift between cropping in spring and livestock in autumn. Investment in technology and systems underpins the farm’s high-performance, forward-focused approach.
WHAT
As Livestock Manager, you will lead Drumpeel Farms’ livestock enterprise across both properties, driving performance, overseeing stock, and aligning operations with the cropping programme. You will work with the owners on budgets, financial performance, and livestock trading, while managing suppliers and contractors within agreed parameters.
As Livestock Manager, you will lead Drumpeel Farms’ livestock enterprise across both properties, driving performance, overseeing stock, and aligning operations with the cropping programme. You will work with the owners on budgets, financial performance, and livestock trading, while managing suppliers and contractors within agreed parameters.
Collaborating with three Block Managers, you will guide an experienced team, plan seasonal priorities between lamb finishing and cropping, and coordinate maintenance and larger projects across both properties. Strong livestock and commercial experience are important, but attitude, sound judgement, and a practical, ideas-driven mindset are equally valued.
To read more about the position and farm please visit – https://bit.ly/4b7d69i
WHO
Our client is looking for a Livestock Manager who leads from the front and drives team accountability and performance. The below are also key to success in this role:
Our client is looking for a Livestock Manager who leads from the front and drives team accountability and performance. The below are also key to success in this role:
- A practical understanding of livestock finishing and trading, with a keen eye for stock performance, condition, and growth.
- Proven ability to develop and implement stock policies aligned to seasonal feed supply, cropping integration and financial target. Strong commercial acumen: budgeting, cost management, and financially informed trading decisions.
- Experienced in livestock buying and selling, working with agents, and understanding market benchmarks.
- Highly organised planner, balancing seasonal priorities between livestock and cropping.
- Confident communicator, building strong relationships with owners, managers, staff, contractors, and suppliers.
- Tech-savvy, with strong record-keeping, reporting, and spreadsheet skills; Farmax experience a plus.
- Practical knowledge of animal health, feed budgeting, and intensive finishing systems.
- Solutions-focused and proactive, committed to high standards in welfare, infrastructure, and environmental compliance.
If you bring strong leadership capability, a practical mindset and the drive to add value, but feel you may not tick every box, you are still encouraged to apply.
WHY
TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT WWW.RURALDIRECTIONS.CO.NZ/JOBS
Applications close Sunday 15th March 2026
Only job seekers who have NZ working rights will be eligible for this role.
- This is a genuine leadership role with full responsibility for a sizeable livestock enterprise operating alongside an intensive arable programme.
- It offers exposure to integrated land use and the opportunity to influence whole-farm performance across 2,000 ha.
- Working directly with the owners on budgeting, livestock trading, and supplier negotiations provides real commercial accountability. It offers hands-on experience in financial decision-making, procurement, and market engagement with stock agents.
- Drumpeel Farms is a high-performing, technology-invested business with strong infrastructure and irrigation. This provides the opportunity to work within a progressive environment focused on performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
- The opportunity to operate at a senior level within a structured team while still leading from the front operationally.
- Drumpeel offers stability and the chance to grow within a business that values performance, planning and leadership.
- Accommodation is a tidy 3-bedroom home with office based on Horonui. It has recently been repainted with new curtains and has an open plan kitchen and dining area with heat pump and double garage.
TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT WWW.RURALDIRECTIONS.CO.NZ/JOBS
Applications close Sunday 15th March 2026
Only job seekers who have NZ working rights will be eligible for this role.
Date Posted: 2026-02-25
