General Manager Farming

Integrated Foods Limited (IFL) is seeking an experienced and commercially focused General Manager Farming to lead our farming and livestock operations.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who understands the complete livestock production system from breeding and genetics through to finishing and procurement and can translate that knowledge into strong operational and commercial performance.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Executive Team you will provide strategic and operational leadership across our pastoral livestock business while strengthening the connection between farming livestock supply and the wider integrated food system.

About Us

Mangatu Blocks Incorporation is a Māori-owned organisation focused on supporting the prosperity of its owners. Mangatu has a diverse portfolio of high-performing assets and most importantly is committed to the care and stewardship of approximately 45000 hectares of whenua.

Integrated Foods Group (IFG) a subsidiary of Mangatu is an established agribusiness with large-scale farming operations in Gisborne and its own lamb processing facilities in Napier.

IFL operates approximately 8500 hectares of East Coast hill country producing quality sheep and beef through simple efficient farming systems. We are committed to developing our people continuously improving our farming systems and protecting the land for future generations.

The Role

You will be responsible for leading and coordinating IFLs farming and livestock systems with a strong focus on performance people continuous improvement and long-term sustainability.

Your key areas of responsibility will include:

• Leading the strategy for livestock breeding genetics finishing and procurement.
• Providing leadership and direction to farming and livestock teams contractors and consultants.
• Driving physical and financial performance across the farming and livestock business.
• Overseeing breeding programmes and ensuring genetics align with environmental conditions and market requirements.
• Optimising livestock growth finishing performance and sale weights.
• Coordinating livestock flows between breeding operations finishing partners and processing requirements.
• Working collaboratively with Fresh Meats procurement to optimise the supply of finished livestock.
• Developing annual budgets forecasts and operational plans and monitoring performance against them.
• Building strong relationships with farmers finishers livestock suppliers contractors advisors and other key stakeholders.
• Identifying opportunities to improve farming systems through technology innovation and better use of information.
• Ensuring high standards of animal welfare environmental performance regulatory compliance and health and safety.
• Contributing as a member of the Executive Team to the wider strategy and performance of Integrated Foods.

About You

We are looking for an experienced agribusiness leader who combines strong practical livestock knowledge with commercial thinking and the ability to lead through others.

Ideally you will bring:

• More than 10 years senior management experience within agribusiness.
• Advanced knowledge of complex sheep and beef livestock production systems.
• Experience across breeding finishing and procurement.
• Strong knowledge of genetics and animal health management.
• Strong commercial financial and business acumen.
• Proven leadership coaching and mentoring capability.
• Strong analytical skills and sound commercial decision-making.
• An interest in technology measurement systems and innovation within farming.
• The credibility and relationship skills to work effectively with employees farmers suppliers contractors executives and governance.
• Excellent communication planning and organisational skills.

A tertiary qualification in agribusiness or a related field would be advantageous as would experience in livestock trading procurement farm collaborations and supplier management.

Leadership That Matters

This role requires more than technical farming expertise. We are looking for someone who can set direction bring people with them and continually challenge how livestock performance can be improved.

You will be expected to build strong relationships across the business and contribute positively to a culture based on our values:

Rangatiratanga Leadership
Whakapono Trust/Pride
Whanaungatanga Relationships
Whakatutukitanga Achievement/Excellence

Why Join Integrated Foods

This is an opportunity to influence the performance of a significant East Coast livestock business that sits within a wider integrated food system.

Youll be well supported by a strong organisational structure and a talented growing team with expertise across processing sales and corporate functions.

With influence from breeding and genetics through to finishing processing and market youll have the opportunity to drive performance develop people and help shape the future of our farming business.

If you are an experienced sheep and beef leader who understands livestock systems thinks commercially and enjoys developing people and improving performance we would like to hear from you.

For confidential enquiries please contact Michelle McLeely on or .

Apply now with your CV and cover letter.

Required Experience:

Exec