Feed & Cattle Unit Manager

Supervise and participate in daily activities of pen riding, sorting, moving, initial and re-processing, implanting and doctoring, and shipping as required to maintain good cattle health in the feed yard and pre-conditioning areas. Also oversee facilities and maintenance as related to cattle pens, alleys, working areas, shades, and other yard infrastructure.

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

• Perform or assist with accident investigations.
• Oversee inventory of vet supplies and pharmaceuticals in order to ensure availability as well as an accurate month-end inventory count.
• Accept nothing less than neat and sanitary facilities and clean appearances in all areas of responsibility.
• Work closely with the Consulting Veterinarian to establish effective treatment and procedural protocols as well as ensure proper training and performance of cattle department employees. This training includes not only proper husbandry, but safety and proper animal handling as well.
• Manage and evaluate production schedules and procedures in order to meet requirements.
• Work with other Unit Managers and the VP and Gen Mgr. to develop and implement budgets (cattle and operating), and report any out of the ordinary issues or needs related to budgets, financial performance (including expenses)
• Ensure all King Ranch policies, procedures, and operating protocols are followed, including those implemented (and approved by GM and VP) by 2nd party consultants, engineers, etc.
• Direct and monitor pest and disease control, water management, and storage.
• Work closely with the feed yard office and ensure timely flow of information, including monitoring and coordinating scale activity as well as helping with all necessary paperwork.
• Handle but report employee disciplinary problems to the VP and Gen Mgr. or assigned supervisor.
• Take primary responsibility for bidding and implementing capital budget work on all items not directly under milling or feed delivery. Ensure all work meets contracted standards.
• Direct the work of employees and participate in human resource planning, development of job descriptions, labor strategies, employee training programs, employee support, employee recruitment, selection, development, and retention.
• Take primary responsibility for ensuring fair work schedules for all employees you supervise over a 365-day operating schedule.
• Ensure King Ranch Feed Yard operations are consistent with our Animal Welfare and Environmental Mission Statements, as well as the requirements of the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program as overseen by TCFA.
• Prepare cattle to show for sale, and sort as appropriate to ensure fair weigh-ups and that cattle meet specifications of the particular contract or sale. Evaluate cattle and develop weekly show list for buyers of properly “finished” cattle.
• Take primary responsibility and accountability for abiding by all other statutory and regulatory requirements of not only the PPP, but also OSHA, FDA, TCEQ, and other agencies as may have oversight of feed yard operations, but especially related to the yard and cattle departments. This does not include oversight of inventories and documentation relative to feed additives associated with milled feed. Work with TCFA to stay abreast of air and water permit requirements and make changes as necessary to ensure compliance as conditions change. Ensure all record keeping requirements are up to date.
• Work well with other Units and Segments.
• Represent company image in a positive light.
• Manage employees effectively and prioritize workload to ensure efficient use of time for all.
• Immediately report any concerns or occurrences which put the King Ranch feed yard in a non-compliance position relative to our Environmental Protection Agency/TCEQ, Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP). Take primary responsibility for oversight of this plan and ensure all required postings and entries are made on a timely basis.
• Assure policy compliance, growth of employees and relevant training.
• Immediately report any out of the ordinary animal health concerns or morbidities/mortalities to the Consulting Vet and the General Manager.
• Ensure all transactions, including processing, vaccinations, movements or shipments, death loss and related activities are updated through feed yard management software system on a timely basis.
• Ensures implementation of bio-security measures, including restrictions of 2nd party visitors to the feed yard only upon approval of the VP and Gen Mgr.
• Acquire and possess a working knowledge of the feed yard animal health system.
• Take primary responsibility for overseeing yard activities as relates to repair and maintenance, especially that infrastructure that relates to cattle penning. This also includes bunks, alley’s, shades, working and processing facilities, etc. Work with Mill/Delivery manager to address implementation of capital items and repairs.
• Monitor, report and correct safety concerns.
• Develop and adhere to maintenance and repair schedules for facilities, vehicles and equipment.
• Assume complete responsibility for the feedlot horses.
• Comply with all Safety and Security Policies.
• Implement SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) for all feedyard activities.
• Have a “Safety First” attitude and instill it in all employees. Take responsibility for training and safety programs and 2nd party safety presentations (1 per year) for cattle and yard employees.
• Coordinate directly with buyers on “finished” cattle show list, shipping dates, and logistics.
• Take primary responsibility in serving as the liaison with all 2nd party feeding clients, especially as relates to cattle performance and marketing.
• Perform normal maintenance/repair in a timely manner.
• Report promptly any security, hunting or environmental concerns.
• Coordinate shipping and receiving of all cattle into and out of the feed yard and is completely responsible for accurate head counts as well as shipping health and finished condition of cattle.
• Ensure drug withdrawals associated with fat cattle are properly run through the feed animal health software system and document and file all shipment clearances.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE DESIRED:

• On the job experience which equates knowledge gained through formal education will also be considered in the evaluation of an individual’s qualifications.
• Must have working knowledge and experience with feedyard management software.
• Must have working knowledge/experience of cattle health management.
• Cattle feeding/finishing and feedyard management experience required.
• Must have experience leading employees and working in conjunction with KR management team.
• Prefer a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in animal science or a comparable field of study.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC:

• Requires the ability to read, write, understand and follow instructions in English and/or Spanish.
• Must be proficient in use of a personal computer and applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must have a valid driver’s license in good standing, the ability to be an approved driver for the company and to safely operate vehicles.
• Must be able to perform mathematical equations in the calculation and estimation of various position responsibilities.
• Must be able to safely operate equipment in the management of cattle and fence repair such as tractors, augers, cube buggies, forklifts, etc.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: (IF APPLICABLE)

• Supervise and participate in daily activities of unit.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS (Lifting, Bending, Stretching, etc.)

• Must be able to handle, saddle, ride horses, often in difficult work situations without danger to self or others.
• Required to lift, push, pull the equivalent of 50 + pounds on a regular basis.
• Must be able to work out of doors much of the time with exposure to the elements including temperature fluctuation, rain, wind and dust.
• Must be physically mobile enough to climb/jump fences/corrals and evade cattle when working them.
• Must be able to ride horseback during work day, all day, and consecutive days if needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Requires exposure to all temperature and weather extremes (i.e., heat, rain, wind, cold and dusty conditions), moving equipment, loud noises, wetness, dust, fumes and requires driving, walking on soft muck and hard and uneven surfaces.
• The demands and expectations that must be met by an employee are those needed to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation, as listed in the job description.
• Ranching and feedyard operation located in South Texas.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Must be a team player who is willing to cooperate with others.

Must be able to accept corrective criticism from supervisor.

Must be willing to take on a variety of assignments as assigned by management on an as-needed basis within the department and within other areas of King Ranch if necessary.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.