Job description
GreenPasture Farms is seeking a Livestock Farm Operations Manager to lead our day-to-day operations at our Ames, IA facility. You will oversee cattle, sheep, and poultry operations, ensuring exceptional animal welfare, health, and efficient production schedules. This role blends hands-on farm leadership with strategic planning and data-driven decision making.
As a core member of our operations team, you will partner with veterinarians, nutritionists, and field staff to create a safe, productive, and compliant environment that supports sustainable farming and strong profitability.
We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, professional development, and a collaborative culture designed to help you grow as a leader in modern livestock farming.
Responsibility
- Lead daily operations for cattle, sheep, and poultry units, ensuring high welfare standards and productive schedules.
- Develop and implement welfare protocols, biosecurity measures, vaccination programs, and health monitoring in collaboration with veterinarians.
- Optimize feed management and ration planning with nutritionists; manage feed inventory and supplier relationships.
- Monitor key performance indicators such as animal growth, mortality rates, feed efficiency, and production timelines; prepare action plans to improve metrics.
- Coordinate staffing, training, and safety protocols; conduct regular performance reviews and succession planning.
- Ensure regulatory compliance and accurate record-keeping for traceability, audits, and reporting.
- Oversee facility maintenance and equipment upkeep; manage vendor contracts and capital improvement projects.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Agribusiness, or equivalent experience; or 5+ years of hands-on livestock management.
- Proven leadership and team management skills; ability to motivate staff and drive results.
- Deep knowledge of livestock nutrition, welfare standards, disease prevention, and biosecurity.
- Experience with farm management software, data analysis, and KPI-driven decision making.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational abilities; comfortable working outdoors in varying weather.
- Valid driver's license; ability to operate farm equipment; forklift certification a plus.
- Flexibility to work weekends or extended hours during peak production periods; commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.