Head Stockman

Competitive Salary plus performance bonus, fantastic benefits, house and use of farm truck

A full driving license is required for this role

Our Head Stockman

We are looking for a dedicated Head Stockman to take on the day to day running of our herd of pedigree British White and Charolais Cattle on our Estate in South Somerset, reporting to the Farm Manager. The herd consists of 200 breeding females plus followers and is the largest herd of British White cattle in the world. The herd forms the core part of a larger farming enterprise with all beef reared to finishing for use in the onsite hotel, restaurants and farm shop.

The herd is split between spring and autumn inside block calving with replacement heifers reared in house and with a strong emphasis on the sale of homebred heifers and bulls at society sales throughout the year. The showing of cattle also plays a key part of our herd, and we take great pride in the promotion of the rare breed across both agricultural and wider public communities. The role will form part of a 10 strong farm team therefore our Head Stockman must work well within a team as well as be independent when work needs carrying out on their own. The role will include managing other members of the livestock team therefore previous management experience is important. The farm is part of the premium cattle health scheme and Red Tractor assured, with animal welfare at the core of our decision-making process.

What we can offer

A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
Stay in shape with our complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes
Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
Discover exclusive perks with our Discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a fantastic 30% discount at our restaurants.
Complimentary garden membership for the Newt and our partner gardens including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Complimentary staff meal each shift – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme “Newt Awards” with the opportunity to achieve a variety of amazing rewards including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
Support from our Employee Assistance Programme for both yourself and your family
A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities including Fun Squad events, which include activities such as Go-Karting and Wine Tasting, to name but a few.
Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team

What we're looking for

Extensive experience in running a suckler herd, ideally working with pedigree cattle, specialising in producing top quality meat for our butchery as well as breeding heifers and bulls.
It is essential the candidate will have extensive calving experience, with the confidence to make the correct decisions when calving, working closely with our experienced local veterinary practise.
Management experience within a larger farm team.
Knowledge of the premium cattle health schemes and data capture to create EBVs within our herd in addition to keeping up to date medicine records.
Drive to improve the herds performance over the coming years.
Passion for showing cattle or willingness to learn.
Tractor and telehandler experience would be desirable although day to day tractor work is carried out by other team members.
Ability to keep a clean and tidy yard, with the presentability of the herd being important across the wider Estate.

Who are we - The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home-away-from-home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.