Feed Operations Manager

Mayfly Agri (Pty) Ltd; Louis Trichardt; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy company in Louis Trichardt is seeking an experienced Feed Production Manager to oversee all aspects of feed production, ensuring high-quality, nutritionally precise dairy feed is produced safely, timely, and cost-effectively. The ideal candidate will have a tertiary qualification in Animal Science or related fields, 3-5 years of management experience in a feed mill environment, and strong operational skills. This role includes managing staff, quality assurance, and collaborating closely with the Dairy Manager to achieve optimal herd performance.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in feed mill or feed factory management.
• Knowledge of dairy cattle nutrition and TMR formulation principles.
• Effective in procurement and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the on-farm feed mill.
• Oversee procurement of raw materials and supplier negotiations.
• Ensure strict adherence to nutritional specifications for feed.

Skills

Animal Science knowledge

Operational management

Effective communication

Hands-on leadership

Problem-solving skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Computer literacy

Self-motivation

Education

Tertiary qualification in Animal Science, Agricultural, Feed Technology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (especially Excel)

Job description

SUMMARY

A proud, fully integrated dairy company is seeking the above to be responsible for overseeing all aspects of feed production — from raw material procurement and inventory to mixing, quality assurance, and delivery — ensuring that high-quality, nutritionally precise dairy feed is produced safely, on time, and at optimal cost to support maximum herd performance and farm profitability.

POSITION INFO

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have a tertiary qualification in Animal Science, Agricultural , Feed Technology, Food Science/Technology, or a related field
• Minimum 3–5 years' proven experience in feed mill / feed factory management, TMR production, or animal feed processing, preferably in a dairy or livestock farming environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of dairy cattle nutrition, TMR formulation principles, raw material quality assessment, and feed safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, R158, or equivalent standards)
• Strong operational management experience, including team supervision, inventory control, procurement, and cost management in a production setting
• Effective communicator and team player able to work collaboratively across departments (feed, dairy, farm management)
• Hands‑on leader with strong problem‑solving skills and a practical approach to farm‑based operations
• Excellent command of English (spoken and written), high computer literacy (Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel for reporting/inventory)
• High attention to detail, organizational ability, and commitment to safety and quality
• Self‑motivated, resilient, and comfortable in a rural, agricultural environment with potential variable hours during peak seasons
• Must have a valid driver’s license

RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Managing day‑to‑day operations of the on‑farm feed mill and TMR mixing facility, ensuring efficient, safe, and uninterrupted production schedules.
• Overseeing procurement of raw materials (grains, forages, concentrates, additives, minerals), including sourcing, supplier negotiations, quality checks, and cost optimisation.
• Maintaining accurate inventory control for raw materials, finished feeds, and consumables, implementing stock rotation, minimising waste, and preventing shortages or overstocking.
• Supervising the formulation, mixing, and production of high‑quality TMR and supplementary feeds in strict adherence to nutritional specifications, recipes, and dairy herd requirements.
• Implementing and enforcing comprehensive quality control procedures, including sampling, testing, record‑keeping, and corrective actions to ensure feed meets nutritional, hygiene, and safety standards.
• Leading, training, motivating, and supervising feed mill staff (operators, mixers, maintenance, loaders), including scheduling, performance management, safety training, and compliance with labour regulations.
• Collaborating closely with the Dairy Manager to align feed production with herd nutritional plans, milk yield targets, reproduction goals, and seasonal variations in forage availability.
• Monitoring production costs and efficiency metrics (e.g., milling losses, energy use, throughput) while implementing continuous improvement initiatives to reduce expenses and maintain quality.
• Ensuring full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including occupational safety, waste management, feed hygiene standards, and biosecurity protocols.
• Preparing regular reports on production output, inventory status, cost variances, quality results, and operational performance for senior management, troubleshooting issues, and recommending upgrades or process improvements.

NOTE

Please note that subsequent to the screening and shortlisting process, all further communication will be entered into only with the shortlisted candidates. If you do not receive any feedback from us within 2 weeks of applying,