Lead animal welfare, performance, and people across Zeagold’s Rearing & Layer farmsAt Zeagold Nutrition, we’re proud to be one of New Zealand’s leading egg producers, supplying trusted brands like Woodland and Farmer Brown Free Range. Our success is built on great people, strong values, and a genuine commitment to animal welfare, food safety, and continuous improvement.
We’re now looking for an experienced Farms Veterinarian / Technical Manager to provide technical leadership and operational oversight across our North Island rearing and layer farm sites.
About the roleThis is a senior, hands on leadership role with responsibility for the people, performance, and production outcomes across multiple free range farms. Reporting to the Head of Livestock and leading a team of Farm Managers, you’ll play a critical role in lifting farm capability, standardising best practice, and ensuring Zeagold continues to deliver best in class egg production.
As Zeagold’s internal veterinarian, you’ll lead flock health and biosecurity programmes, provide day to day technical support to farm teams, and partner closely with nutrition, genetics, QA, engineering, and commercial stakeholders.
You’ll also be a key member of the Livestock Leadership Team, helping shape strategy, drive continuous improvement, and embed a strong safety and performance culture across our North Island operations.
What you’ll be responsible for• Leading health, safety, and wellbeing across all farm sites
• Coaching and mentoring Farm Managers to build capable, engaged, high performing teams
• Overseeing flock health programmes, including vaccination, serology, and bird health investigations
• Driving animal welfare, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance, including SPCA and customer standards
• Ensuring strong operational performance across production, quality, cost, and biosecurity KPIs
• Embedding standardised SOPs, daily management systems, and visual performance tools
• Using data and insights to identify trends, manage risk, and improve farm outcomes
• Leading continuous improvement and Lean practices to improve consistency and reduce waste
• Partnering with third party suppliers to ensure alignment with Zeagold standards and brand values
• Supporting farm upgrades, enrichment programmes, and site improvement projects
About youYou’re a confident, credible leader who combines technical depth with strong people leadership. You’re comfortable working across multiple sites, influencing at all levels, and balancing animal welfare, compliance, and commercial outcomes.
You’ll bring:• A veterinary or animal science qualification (or equivalent practical experience)
• Veterinary qualification recognised by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ), with eligibility for registration and a current (or ability to obtain) Annual Practising Certificate (APC) is essential.
• 5+ years’ experience in poultry or livestock operations leadership (free range preferred)
• Strong knowledge of animal welfare standards, biosecurity, RMP/HACCP, and audit requirements
• Proven ability to lead and develop managers, build culture, and drive accountability
• Strong data and systems capability (performance metrics, trend analysis, Excel/ERP tools)
• Experience with continuous improvement / Lean practices
• A full NZ driver licence and willingness to travel across North Island sites
Why join Zeagold?• Lead at scale in a values driven, a leading agribusiness operating in New Zealand
• Play a pivotal role in animal welfare, food safety, and brand integrity
• Work with committed, down to earth people who value honesty, teamwork, and simplicity
• Influence real change through capability building and continuous improvement
• Competitive salary package and the opportunity to make a genuine impact
• Waikato base location within the North Island, with travel planned and supported
• Relocation support considered for the right candidate
Our valuesAt Zeagold, we live by four simple values:
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Honesty & Integrity – we do what we say we will do
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Stronger Together – we help each other out
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Striving for Better – we look ahead and find a better way
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Keep it Simple – we value clarity and practicality
If this sounds like you and you’re ready to lead farming excellence across the North Island, we’d love to hear from you.
How to applyPlease apply directly by
clicking here, or call Tom Warner directly via WhatsApp on +64 221967722
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