Assistant Farm Manager — Dairy & Crops
GWG Heeg Farms Ltd. is a progressive dairy and crop farm near Dunnville, Ontario. We are looking for the right person to join our team in an Assistant Farm Manager role, with the long-term goal of developing into a Farm Manager position.
This is a hands-on leadership development role. It is not simply a milking or general farm labour position. The right person will be involved in livestock, crops, people, systems, daily planning, and farm execution.
The goal is to develop someone who can help the farm operate through clear priorities, strong people, reliable systems, and consistent follow-through.
Position
Title: Assistant Farm Manager
Development Path: Farm Manager
Location: Dunnville, Ontario
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
Starting Wage: $30.00 per hour
Expected Hours: 40+ hours per week, depending on season and workload
Role Overview
The Assistant Farm Manager will work closely with ownership to learn the farm, the people, the systems, and the standards required to help lead the operation.
Over time, the successful candidate will take on increasing responsibility for daily execution, livestock performance, crop coordination, team accountability, systems, and follow-up.
This development process may take a year or more. Responsibility will be earned progressively based on trust, leadership, decision-making, follow-through, and demonstrated ability.
Key Responsibilities
Daily Farm Execution
- Help organize, prioritize, communicate, and complete daily work
- Keep the farm moving without everything needing to be directed by ownership
- Follow up on assigned tasks and unfinished work
- Help make sure employees know what needs to be done
People & Team Accountability
- Communicate expectations clearly
- Help maintain a culture of ownership, respect, and accountability
- Address missed responsibilities when needed
- Support scheduling, training, and communication with the team
Barn Management
- Help own the results of the dairy operation
- Support milk production, milk quality, cow health, calf health, fresh cow follow-up, treatment protocols, barn routines, cleanliness, records, and barn-related supplies
- Ensure livestock routines and protocols are followed consistently
Crop Management
- Help coordinate crop execution, including fieldwork timing, planting, spraying, fertilizer, harvest preparation, labour coordination, and basic crop records
- Work with ownership on planning and execution of seasonal crop priorities
Systems & Protocols
- Help improve and maintain farm routines, checklists, and protocols
- Train employees on farm standards
- Make sure systems are followed consistently, not just talked about
Equipment Coordination
- Communicate equipment needs, repairs, seasonal readiness, and operator issues with the Equipment Lead
- Help ensure equipment supports the daily and seasonal priorities of the farm
Communication With Ownership
- Keep ownership informed on important issues
- Bring solutions where possible
- Provide regular updates on people, cows, crops, equipment, and priorities
Schedule & Milking Coverage
This role is not intended to be a regular full-time milking position. However, because this is a farm leadership role, there will be times when the Assistant Farm Manager is expected to help with milking coverage.
This may include 1–2 morning or evening milkings per week, and additional milkings when team members are sick, away, or when the farm requires extra help.
Weekend expectations will be discussed together. Options may include every other weekend off, every Sunday off, or another arrangement that works for both the candidate and the farm while still maintaining strong coverage and accountability.
Compensation & Growth
Starting wage is $30.00 per hour.
Compensation will be reviewed after 6 months and again after 12 months. Future increases will be based on demonstrated responsibility, leadership, follow-through, decision-making, and the ability to manage people, livestock, crops, systems, and daily execution.
If the role progresses into the full Farm Manager position, compensation would be adjusted accordingly to reflect the increased responsibility.
The Assistant Farm Manager may also be eligible for an annual performance bonus based on individual progress and overall farm performance.
Future housing may be discussed depending on timing, availability, personal circumstances, and long-term fit.
Ideal Candidate
The right person will be:
- Experienced in dairy farming and comfortable around cows
- Interested in both livestock and crop production
- Responsible, steady, and trustworthy
- Willing to learn and take feedback
- Able to lead people respectfully but clearly
- Strong at follow-through
- Interested in systems, accountability, and long-term growth
- Comfortable working hands-on while developing into a leadership role
- Looking for more than just a job
Required / Preferred Experience
Required:
- Dairy farm experience
- Strong work ethic
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Valid driver’s licence
- Willingness to work flexible farm hours when needed
Preferred:
- Experience with herd health, fresh cows, calves, milking routines, or dairy protocols
- Crop or equipment experience
- Previous leadership or team coordination experience
- Interest in farm management and business operations
How to Apply
Please apply with a resume and a short note outlining your farm experience, leadership experience, and why this type of role interests you.
Pay: $30.00-$40.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
