RANCH MANAGER - CATTLE

Farm Manager SA; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Farm Manager SA in South Africa seeks a Ranch Manager to lead strategic system transitions, production targets and bio-security on a cattle operation. You will drive the shift to paddock-based management, coordinate field operations, and collaborate with admin to implement the Ranching ERP.

The role requires strong leadership, extensive cattle experience, and proven stockmanship, with the ability to manage logistics, reporting, and team performance to achieve elite industry benchmarks.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in agriculture is advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in agricultural field.
• Proven experience with cattle and stockmanship.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Strategic System Transition: Execute planned shift to paddock-based management including infrastructure and movement units.
• Production & Reproductive Performance: Establish protocols for neonatal survival, calving, weaning weights and body-condition scores.
• Health & Bio-Security Management: Standardise veterinary interventions and vaccination schedules, ensure biosecurity compliance.
• Operational Reporting: Translate field data into executive reports and support Ranching ERP rollout with high-quality data gathering.
• Logistics & Supplies: Oversee ordering, stocking and distribution of feed, medicines and fleet/field equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team leadership

Computer literacy

Valid driver’s license

Valid passport

Experience with cattle

Stockmanship

Maintenance orientation

Education

Agricultural Diploma/Degree advantageous

Job description

Minimum Requirements

• Agricultural Diploma/Degree advantageous
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in agricultural field
• Proven experience with cattle
• Good stockmanship
• Maintenance and mechanically orientated
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to lead and work with a team
• Computer literate
• Valid driver’s license
• Valid passport

Key Responsibilities

Strategic System Transition:

• Execute the planned shift from open-range grazing to a structured paddock system (including both physical infrastructure and managed‑movement units).

Production & Reproductive Performance:

• Establish and enforce rigorous protocols to achieve elite industry targets for neonatal survival, calving percentages, weaning weights, and body‑condition scores.

Health & Bio‑Security Management:

• Standardize veterinary interventions and bio‑security protocols, ensuring strict adherence to vaccination, dipping, and production‑based culling schedules.

Operational Reporting:

• Translate field data into comprehensive executive reports.
• Facilitate (in collaboration with administrative management) the organizational rollout of the Ranching ERP, ensuring high‑quality data gathering from the field and using system analytics to drive operational decisions.

Logistics & Supplies:

• Responsible for the timely ordering, stocking, and distribution of feed, supplements, veterinary medicines, and other operational inputs for the ranch.
• Oversee safe and efficient usage of the ranch fleet and mechanical assets, including heavy‑duty trucks, tractors, and processing equipment (mills/mixers).

ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted