BEEF BACKGROUNDING FARM MANAGER

Farm Manager SA; Mpumalanga; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 680,000; Full time

Job summary

Farm Manager SA in South Africa seeks an experienced Farm Manager to lead cattle backgrounding operations and drive production targets on a large-scale farm.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication, and the ability to manage staff and health programs while maintaining cost efficiency and compliance with safety standards.

Qualifications

• BSc Animal Science or equivalent required.
• 5–7 years proven farm experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Strong business acumen.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Managing and operating the backgrounding cattle to maintain production levels.
• Supervise staff, organize workflow and monitor tasks.
• Oversee cattle processing and health management, including medicine administration.
• Liaise with feedlot backgrounding manager on health and feeding protocols.
• Ensure safety, maintain facilities and conduct inspections.

Skills

Independent work

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Relationship building

Interact at various levels

Decision making

Organizational skills

Motivating people

Numerate

Problem solving

Leadership skills

Self and people management

Education

BSc Animal science or similar qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• BSc Animal science or similar qualification
• 5-7 years proven farm experience with a solid track record
• Fully competent in Microsoft Office and Excel
• A high degree of business acumen
• Valid driver’s license

CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED

• Must be able to work independently and without supervision
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build effective relationship
• Ability to interact at various levels within the organisation
• Able to make quick decisions
• A good organizer, you should be able to plan and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
• Able to motivate people
• Numerate
• Able to solve problems
• An analytical mind
• Leadership skills
• Self and people management

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

• Managing and operating the backgrounding cattle as cost effective as possible and maintaining production levels and targets
• Supervising staff, organising and monitoring workflow
• Off-loading of cattle and feed
• Pasture and grazing management
• Management of hay bale feeding
• Sorting of new cattle
• Completing paperwork of new cattle and arrivals
• Manage the processing of cattle
• Monitor of all pharmaceuticals and ear tags (ordering and receipt)
• Treatment of sick cattle
• Daily recon of medicine used
• Daily management of cattle on grazing – opening up of new grass and clean water management
• Monitor administration of medicine, the number of administrations and morbidity and mortality
• Oversee diet and intake management
• Logistical management for the disposing of mortality meat
• Processing of cattle
• Capturing hospital data on the Cattle Management System
• Liaising with the feedlot backgrounding manager regarding animal health, processing and feeding protocols
• Perform frequent job inspections to ensure safe work areas, quality of workmanship and effectiveness of maintenance and repairs
• Direct, monitor and evaluate occupational health and safety procedures to minimize risk in the workplace along with the Health and Safety Consultant
• Conduct general farm maintenance

HUMAN RESOURCES FUNCTION

• Implement policies and procedures ensuring that standard operating procedures exist for all critical operations of production
• Ensure management of human resources in accordance with company practices and legislation
• Supervising the processing employees, organizing and monitoring workflow, directs and co-ordinates their activities
• Ensure staff discipline is managed in accordance to company policies, procedures & code of conduct
• Any breaches of discipline are immediately dealt with, and correct rectification/disciplinary action is initiated
• Ensure that employee performance is managed, and performance reviews are conducted regularly
• To report to management any breach of rules, act of dishonesty, malpractice or corruption by any member of the public, visitor to the site, or member of staff
• To attend daily, weekly, monthly management meetings
• Must be capable and willing to work overtime when required
• Must be available after hours to keep contact with all relevant parties, 7 days a week
• Perform general administrative tasks

ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted