Livestock Nutrition/Data Manager

Niewohnerbros; Albion Township (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Niewohnerbros is seeking a Corporate Feed Nutrition & Quality Manager to lead nutrition programs across Feedlot, Swine, Cow/Calf, and Feed Mill operations. You will drive feed quality, improve animal performance, and reduce costs while ensuring regulatory compliance.

You will collaborate with Operations, Veterinary Services, Procurement, and department managers to maximize profitability through superior nutrition management and continuous improvement across all locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Agricultural Sciences, Feed Science, or related field.
• Master's degree in Animal Nutrition preferred.
• 3-5 years progressive livestock nutrition/feed quality experience.
• Multi-site leadership experience preferred.
• Experience with feedlot, swine, feed mill, and cow/calf nutrition.
• Financial management and strategic planning experience preferred.
• Proven leadership and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety compliance across all locations and ensure OSHA, FDA, EPA standards.
• Develop and oversee company-wide feed quality assurance programs.
• Formulate nutritionally balanced rations to maximize performance.
• Review lab analyses and approve ingredient substitutions.
• Audit feed manufacturing accuracy, batching, and mixer performance.
• Monitor sampling programs, quality control and SOP standardization.
• Collaborate with veterinarians and nutritionists to optimize herd health.
• Drive productivity: improve feed efficiency and monitor KPIs.
• Lead cross-location training and coaching of staff.
• Present nutrition strategies and results to Executive Leadership.

Skills

Beef and swine nutrition

Feed formulation software

Feed manufacturing & QA

Commodity markets

Financial analysis

Regulatory compliance (FDA OSHA EPA)

Data analysis & reporting

Leadership & communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science / Animal Nutrition / Agricultural Sciences / Feed Science

Master's degree in Animal Nutrition (preferred)

Job description

The Corporate Feed Nutrition & Quality Manager provides strategic leadership for all feed and nutrition programs across the Feedlot, Swine, Cow/Calf, and Feed Mill operations. This position is responsible for developing nutrition programs, ensuring feed quality and consistency, improving animal performance, reducing feed costs, maintaining regulatory compliance, and supporting operational excellence across all company locations.

The position works collaboratively with Operations, Veterinary Services, Commodity Procurement, Feed Mill personnel, and Department Managers to maximize profitability through superior nutrition management and continuous improvement.

SAFETY

• Promote and model a culture where safety is the highest priority.
• Ensure all feed operations comply with OSHA, FDA, EPA, and company safety standards.
• Conduct routine safety inspections of feed mills, feed delivery systems, and feeding operations.
• Identify and correct safety hazards related to feed manufacturing, storage, and delivery.
• Develop and implement safe operating procedures for feed production and handling.
• Participate in accident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure employees receive required safety and regulatory training.
• Support biosecurity and animal health protocols across all locations.
• Maintain compliance with feed medication and feed safety regulations.

QUALITY

• Develop and oversee company-wide feed quality assurance programs.
• Ensure consistency of feed manufacturing across all feed mills.
• Formulate nutritionally balanced rations that maximize animal performance.
• Review laboratory feed analysis and nutritional reports.
• Evaluate ingredient quality and approve ingredient substitutions.
• Audit feed manufacturing accuracy, batching, and mixer performance.
• Monitor feed sampling programs and quality control procedures.
• Standardize feed operating procedures across all facilities.
• Continuously improve feed quality and nutritional consistency.
• Collaborate with veterinarians and consulting nutritionists to optimize herd health.

PRODUCTIVITY

• Improve feed efficiency and feed conversion ratios across all livestock operations.
• Monitor Average Daily Gain (ADG), feed intake, and overall production performance.
• Evaluate feed delivery systems and feeding efficiencies.
• Audit bunk management and feeding accuracy.
• Monitor feed inventory, shrink, and usage.
• Implement process improvements that increase operational efficiency.
• Utilize data analytics to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Develop and monitor department Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Assist with new technology implementation to improve productivity.

TEAMWORK & LEADERSHIP

• Build strong working relationships with Feedlot, Swine, Cow/Calf, Feed Mill, and Farming leadership.
• Provide technical guidance and nutritional expertise to operational teams.
• Train and mentor Feed Leads, and Feeding Personnel.
• Develop educational programs on nutrition, feed quality, and best management practices.
• Work collaboratively with the Company Nutritionist, Purchasing, Veterinary Services, Operations, and Executive Leadership.
• Assist in hiring, onboarding, and developing feed personnel.
• Foster accountability, communication, and teamwork across all company locations.
• Promote continuous learning and employee development.
• Support company culture through positive leadership and coaching.

STRATEGY

• Develop long-term nutrition strategies that improve profitability and animal performance.
• Evaluate emerging feed technologies and nutritional research.
• Standardize feeding programs across all company locations.
• Develop annual nutrition improvement initiatives.
• Analyze industry trends and recommend operational improvements.
• Lead feed quality audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all feed operations.
• Support expansion projects involving feed mills, livestock facilities, and feeding systems.
• Present feed performance and recommendations to Executive Leadership.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Manage feed costs while maintaining optimal animal performance.
• Analyze cost of gain and feed conversion performance.
• Monitor feed cost per ton and ingredient pricing.
• Assist Commodity Purchasing with ingredient evaluations and procurement decisions.
• Reduce feed shrink and inventory losses.
• Develop and manage department cost forecast.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through improved nutrition and operational efficiencies.
• Monitor financial KPIs and provide monthly reports to leadership.
• Evaluate return on investment for feed additives and nutritional programs.
• Ensure efficient utilization of feed resources across all operations.
• Eventually oversee feed purchasing for operational efficiencies/effectiveness

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Agricultural Sciences, Feed Science, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Animal Nutrition is preferred.

Experience

• 3-5 years of progressive experience in livestock nutrition, feed manufacturing, or feed quality management.
• Multi-site leadership experience preferred.
• Experience with feedlot, swine, feed mill, and cow/calf nutrition.
• Financial management and strategic planning experience preferred.
• Proven leadership and project management skills.

Knowledge & Skills

• Beef and swine nutrition
• Feed formulation software
• Feed manufacturing and quality assurance
• Commodity markets and ingredient evaluation
• Financial analysis and cost management
• Regulatory compliance (FDA, OSHA, EPA)
• Data analysis and reporting
• Leadership, coaching, and communication
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Physical Essential Functions

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and reach throughout office, feed mill, and livestock environments.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Operate a motor vehicle and travel frequently between company locations.
• Navigate uneven terrain, stairs, ladders, catwalks, and elevated work areas safely.
• Use computers, mobile devices, and office equipment for extended periods.
• Maintain visual and auditory ability to inspect equipment, evaluate feed quality, review reports, and communicate effectively.
• Work in indoor and outdoor agricultural environments with exposure to dust, noise, livestock, machinery, weather extremes, and other environmental conditions.
• Wear and properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing job duties.