The Company
The Cattle Information Service (CIS) is one of the UK's leading providers of milk recording and herd management services, operating from our privately owned laboratory based in Telford, Shropshire. Due to a forthcoming retirement, we are recruiting a permanent Head of Field Services to manage, maintain and enhance the CIS Field Services Management Team and operations. Ensuring that we continue to excel in data quality, data security, and meet all regulatory standards.
Department: CIS
Location: Home based with extensive UK travel
Reports to: CEO
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership
- Be an active member of the Holstein UK Group Management Team, including supporting the progress of the Digital Transformation Project and any other initiatives as required.
- Oversee CIS Field Services operations, including management of performance and identifying training needs.
- Ensure ICAR Guidelines are regularly reviewed to ensure CIS is compliant.
- Identify new markets and opportunities both within and outside the current industry focus.
- Identify, assess, and inform the CEO of internal and external issues that affect the organisation.
- Represent the organisation at national and international events as required.
- Host meetings and coordinate webinars to promote CIS services and add to the CIS YouTube channel and social media.
- Conduct regular team meetings and annual staff appraisals.
- Review and update CIS documentation.
- Support Field staff in dealing with escalated issues.
Operational Planning and Management
- Work with the CIS Management Team to plan actions to meet Company objectives, including attendance at Monthly Management & IT meetings.
- Attend monthly HUK Group & CIS Marketing meetings to discuss campaigns, highlight services, review and proof content for adverts and e-shots.
- Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance, including organising training modules.
- Develop an operational plan for the Field Services Team, which incorporates the Company goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organisation.
- Ensure that the operation of the Field Services Team meets the expectations of the CEO, CIS Board, and Trustees of the parent company. Provide reports as required for the Quarterly Board meetings.
- Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the Field Services Team.
- Ensure CIS offer services and testing facilities to enable customers to manage their business and fulfil the requirements of their contractual arrangements, including milk processors, Red Tractor, etc.
- Advise required updates to the Field program to include enhancements and requirements relevant to customer needs and testing of system updates.
- Ensure herds awaiting milk files and errors pages are reviewed by the Field Services Management Team and identify any delays.
- Liaise with CIS Processing and Field Services Management Team regarding recording discrepancies to ascertain if it is an on-farm or recorder issue.
- Ensure recordings requiring a Check Test are actioned in accordance with ICAR requirements.
Risk Management
- Identify any issues that arise which might cause a reduction in data quality and/or operational performance. Undertake regular checks of random herd data as appropriate.
- To review Risk Assessments and Biosecurity documents. Create updated documents as required and circulate, i.e., milk recording protocols and specific risk assessments during COVID and during exotic disease outbreaks, such as Foot & Mouth
People
- To always respect your customers and co-workers.
- To support and help wherever possible/work as a team.
- To always act with integrity to the business.
- Ensure the health & safety for you, your colleagues and customers are at the forefront of all operations
Finance
- To always ensure spend is within budget.
- Ensure Team expenses are correct and authorised in time.
- Monthly, Quarterly & Annual stat collation to see how business is progressing.
- To always look to reduce costs. Liaise with the Field Management Team to keep costs down.
Operations
- To ensure that all relevant documentation is continually reviewed, streamlined and accessible to the Field Services Management Team.
- To ensure that work is carried out within the legal requirements and we are always compliant.
- To keep up to date with industry standards and ICAR Guidelines.
- To ensure all company policies are understood, adhered to and communicate any new company policies to the Field Services Management Team appropriately.
Experience/Skills/Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the Livestock Industry
- Proven experience of delivering and growing related industry services
- Strong business-to-business sales experience
- Extensive staff management/supervision experience
- A good standard of education, including GCSE English and Maths
- Highly computer literate in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel - Essential
What we can offer you:
- Comprehensive initial and ongoing training
- Company vehicle or Car Allowance
- Competitive Salary
- Company pension scheme
- Generous Holiday Allowance
- Christmas Savings Scheme
- Ongoing Training & Development
- Range of Other Benefits
Interested?
To apply, please forward your CV and Covering letter to
Closing Date: 20th March 2026.
You can also apply for this role by clicking the Apply Button.