Beef Cattle Operations Manager

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

paid sick and vacation leave

paid holidays

medical, dental, life and disability보험

retirement

deferred compensation

optional supplemental retirement

Job summary

Washington State University seeks a Beef Cattle Operations Manager to oversee the cow/calf herd, feedlot, and meat sales operations. You will plan, coordinate, and direct personnel, facilities, and resources for calving, breeding, nutrition, and health, while ensuring quality and financial sustainability.

You will teach courses as assigned, manage budgets, and build stakeholder relationships with the beef industry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Animal Science, or closely related field with three years of beef cattle operation experience.
• At least one year of supervisory experience.
• Master's degree may substitute for one year of professional work experience.
• Education/experience may be substituted year-for-year for educational requirements.
• Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technologist may be required within one year.

Responsibilities

• Manage the cow/calf herd (Beef Center), feedlot (Cattle Feeding Lab), and meat sales operations.
• Plan, coordinate, and direct personnel, facilities, and resources for major activities.
• Ensure cattle performance meets industry standards for breeding, growth, feed efficiency, and meat quality.
• Support WSU Premium Beef marketing by providing finished cattle and carcass sales.
• Coordinate resources, schedules, facilities, and communications across programs.
• Teach courses as assigned by departmental chair and manage unit resources and budgets.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Budgeting

Economic forecasting

Beef industry knowledge

Pasture management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Animal Science, or closely related field

Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience

Any combination of education and animal care experience substituted year-for-year

Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technologist may be required

Valid driver's license by time of hire

Job description

Business Title

Beef Cattle Operations Manager

Position Details

As the Beef Cattle Operations Manager , you will be responsible for managing the Department of Animal Sciences' cow/calf herd (Beef Center), feedlot (Cattle Feeding Lab), and meat sales operations (WSU Premium Beef). You will plan, coordinate, and direct personnel, facilities, and resources for major cow-calf herd and feedlot activities, including calving, breeding, nutrition and feeding, animal health care, forage utilization, pasture grazing schedules, and livestock sales. You will ensure that cattle performance meets or exceeds industry standards for breeding, growth, feed efficiency, and meat quality. In partnership with the meats laboratory and retail sales coordinator, you will support the WSU Premium Beef program by providing finished cattle and assisting with the marketing of whole and half carcasses. You will coordinate resources, schedules, facilities, communications, and organizational activities to support multiple research, extension, and instructional programs. In addition, you will teach courses as assigned by the departmental chair. You will be expected to effectively manage and maintain unit resources, including budgets, equipment, land, and personnel, to promote productivity, uphold operational standards, and ensure financial sustainability. As a key representative of the Department of Animal Sciences and WSU, you will build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across the beef cattle industry.

Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions

• 35% - Animal Care, Management, and Records
• 20% - Research and Outreach and Instruction
• 25% - Personnel and Budget Responsibilities
• 15% - Facilities Maintenance
• 5% - Other Duties

Additional Information

This is a full-time (100% FTE), permanent position. Overtime eligibility will be determined based on final salary placement.

Monthly Salary

Monthly Salary: $4,508.70 - $ 6,763.06 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Benefits

• paid sick and vacation leave
• paid holidays
• medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• retirement
• deferred compensation
• optional supplemental retirement accounts

For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation .

Required Qualifications

• Positions require a Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Animal Science, or closely related field and three (3) years of experience managing a beef cattle operation.
• which has included at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.
• A Master's degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional work experience.
• Any combination of relevant education and progressively responsible animal care experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis.
• Certification as a Laboratory Animal Technologist may be required within one (1) year of employment.
• Knowledge and experience with the beef industry; knowledge and experience with pasture and range management; knowledge and experience with budgeting and economic forecasting.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Animal Sciences or related field.
• One (1) year teaching experience.
• Possess a pesticide/herbicide license and a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

Position Sponsorship Eligibility

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES

The Department of Animal Sciences at WSU offers the only four-year Animal Sciences degree in Washington state. Research in Animal Sciences is focused on mission-oriented and fundamental research in the areas of sustainable resources for society and sustaining and improving animal and human health. These research foci include animal behavior and well-being, environmental sustainability, genomics and genetics, muscle biology, nutrition, reproductive biology and physiology. Research is conducted in new state-of-the‑art research facilities that facilitate undergraduate and graduate student resear