Cattle Farm Manager

Job description

Our organization seeks to employ the services of an enthusiastic & progressive manager to handle
hands-on manage, oversee and co-ordinate the cattle operations.

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

Must have a Tertiary qualification in Agriculture; Animal husbandry and/or similar farming
management qualification.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate would have sound knowledge of Breeding Cattle. Any experience with Stud
Bonsmara cattle will be an advantage.
Project or operational management experience.
Extensive farming experience; Minimum 5 years’ cattle farming experience. Growing up on a
commercial farm may contribute to “work experience” in farming
Additional experience/knowledge/qualification in cropping will be advantageous.
Minimum five years of managerial/leadership experience leading a team
Strong MS Office knowledge. Computer skills & the ability to maintain computer records of the herd are essential. Experienced with Cattle management programs will be advantageous.
A Valid Zambian recognized driver’s license and able to drive a motorbike

Personal Attributes

Proactive and resilient individual with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Physically Strong and Healthy individual whose health and character is able to peruse a farming career in the long, very hot and demanding outdoors
Strong people and leadership skills.
Understanding of working together as a team to achieve the organizations overall best interests.
Highly organized, detail orientated multitasker with strong organizational and administrative skills.
Strong communication skills and command of spoken and written English
Strong communication skills in an additional Southern Province language preferably Tonga.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Administration
Ordering of inputs
Labour – allocation of work & manage up to 70 staff
Allocation of feed rations, feed distribution & recording of stocks
All cattle activities including medical treatments, weighing, branding, tagging etc
Maintain good records on a computerized recording program
Irrigated pasture management & ranch grazing systems• Farm mapping, monitor grazing availability
Maintain & improve water reticulation systems
Guide a team building new fences as well as R & M on existing fences
Maintain & improve on the existing handling facilities
Attend weekly management meetings
Produce monthly reports
Flexible to assist in other departments
A hands-on, out there on the ranch approach to accomplishing the above tasks
You will be expected to cooperate with fellow managers in the different sections of the company & be part of a strong management team to promote the whole business, covering & standing in for fellow managers should the need arise.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

Leadership of the cattle operations team, ensuring training, mentoring and resourcing occurs with a
focus on strengthening capacity to effectively achieve operational targets.
Oversee the induction of new staff, monitor employee performance and conduct Performance
Appraisals.
Assessing the current staffing levels, selecting appropriate staffing to ensure balance between best
farm productivity output and staffing cost input, namely not over staffed.
Lead regular operational meetings.
Record keeping of hours, overtime, annual leave, sick leave etc.

OPERATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Improve operational systems, processes and policies in support of the section’s objectives.
Maintain high standards throughout the operation
Ensure all regular & routine activities including medical treatments, dipping, weighing, branding, tagging, fencing etc are diligently completed, always at a standard of excellence.
Maintain facilities in excellent working order.
Must be able to account for Stock counts and shortages both in livestock and consumables.