Cattle Unit Manager

Role Summary :

Supervise, plan and coordinate activities of unit employees engaged in the management of a cattle unit.  The Unit Manager is responsible for assisting the Assistant Area Manager in executing cattle/ranch operations.  This job assists and supervises employees to achieve operational goals and company standards. 

What to Expect in the Role:
•   Implementing company programs by working directly with unit to execute action plans that meet operational and organization objectives. 
•   Create schedules to always ensure adequate and efficient staffing.
•   Recruit, interview, hire, and train employees as required.
•   Advise Asst. Area Manager on staffing needs and personnel issues.
•   Assist the Asst. Area Manager with duties and tasks as required in a ranching environment.
•   Responsible for accurate and timely reporting of monthly cattle inventory, weekly planning sheet, branding reports, weaning reports, vaccination reports, rainfall reports, weekly time sheets, monthly mileage reports, field data collection (calving, weaning, yearling and unit P.O.’s, etc.) and other reports as required and as may be assigned by the Area Manager for Cattle Operations.
•   Understands (and has access to) and strictly adheres to all supplemental feeding and mineral programs, herd culling criteria, herd health protocols, etc. for all classes of cattle and quarter horses in the unit’s care.
•   Strictly adheres to King Ranch “Cattle Calendar” for supplementation, vaccination, weaning, breeding season, marking/branding, and all other cattle activities.  Inform supervisor beforehand of any variation from this schedule. Abides by sanitary measures as outlined in the herd health protocols.
•   Works with Area Manager to schedule workings and shipments in an efficient and timely manner that allows Units to help each other when needed.
•   Understands King Ranch “value added” programs such as BQA, age and source verification, etc. and abides by the requirements and record keeping.
•   Abides by King Ranch Animal Welfare and Environmental policy guidelines.
•   Adheres to predetermined maintenance/repair schedules for vehicles and equipment.  Ensures all equipment is taken care of, is maintained in a safe and clean manner, and is used safely and appropriately.
•   Performs normal maintenance/repair in timely manner for saddles/tack, fences, corrals, water troughs, other assigned assets (horse stalls, barns).  Understands and abides by King Ranch Water Facilities Standards guidelines.
•   Inspects water facilities on a minimum weekly basis and schedules maintenance /repair in timely manner for windmills and water facilities.
•   Takes primary responsibility for the safety and actions of cowboys who are his/her direct reports, as well as ensures that all policies of King Ranch are obeyed and followed.
•   Takes primary responsibility for range cattle body condition score and production of those cattle inventoried in his/her unit.
•   Monitors and evaluates both cattle body condition score and range condition on an ongoing basis.  Informs supervisor of any potential problems in this area so that pro-active steps can be taken and proposes corrective actions. 
•   Understands and abides by budgeting process and spending policies of King Ranch.  Has working understanding of monthly financial statements.
•   Understands all production parameters such as pregnancy %, weaning %, lbs. weaned per cow exposed, calf breakeven and cow cost, remnant percentage and other production parameters and their effects on their Units profitability.
•   Oversees and implements horse care, vaccinations and treatment as assigned in the Horse care guidelines.
•   Reports promptly any theft, inventory shortages, breach of security, environment or safety concerns (contractor activities, unauthorized persons on ranch, poaching/game violations, etc.), factors affecting moral or employee job satisfaction, or other issues which might affect King Ranches ranching operations. Gives supervisor adequate warning if there is the potential loss of an employee.
•   Takes primary responsibility for immediately repairing any breach of fencing/gate integrity which might allow cattle to mix or go missing.
•   Understands and abides by the King Ranch Grazing Management system, including willingness to maximize AUs on his/her unit as are feasible under current conditions. Understands and can explain the concept of fixed cost allocation and how it affects profitability based on actual animal units on his/her unit.
•   Assist Wildlife or other Departments when requested through your Area Manager.
•   Ability and willingness to conduct prescribed burns.  Maintains Private Burn certification under Texas Department of Agriculture.

What We Will Be Needing From You: 
•   Prefer a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in animal science or a comparable field of study.  
•   On the job experience which equates knowledge gained through formal education will also be considered in the evaluation of an individual’s qualifications.  
•   Prefer prior cattle and/or ranch management experience.  
•   Communicates upper management decisions in a positive and professional manner.
•   Must be pregnancy test certified.
•   Must be horse trainer certified.
•   Possess other skills as needed for position and/or as assigned by Area Manager.
•   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.  
•   Requires the ability to read, write, understand, and follow instructions in English and/or Spanish.  
•   Must be able to perform mathematical equations in the calculation and estimation of various position responsibilities. 
•   Must have working knowledge of cattle management and care.
•   Required to lift, push, pull the equivalent of 50 + pounds on a regular basis.  
•   Must be able to handle, saddle, ride horses, often in difficult work situations without danger to self or others.  
•   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 workday, and consecutive days if needed.
•   Must be proficient in use of a personal computer and applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.  
•   Must be able to safely operate equipment in the management of cattle and fence repair such as tractors, augers, cube buggies, forklifts, etc.