Ranch Manager

Summary:

The Ranch Manager is responsible for overseeing the full scope of operations across the Duval County Ranch, including cattle ranching, recreational hunting, and hospitality management. This role leads the development and execution of business plans across all ranch operations, ensuring strong financial performance, operational efficiency, and an exceptional guest experience.

Essential Duties:

• Oversee maintenance and upkeep of all ranch assets, including ranch homes, guest lodging, ranch equipment, vehicles, tools, fencing, roads, water systems, and infrastructure. 
• Manage ranch budgets, expenses, inventory, and financial performance across all ranch operations. 
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance revenue generation. 
• Maintain records, reporting and operational metrics for ownership review. 
• Hire, train, and manage all ranch personnel. 
• Establish clear expectations, schedules and accountability across all ranch operations for employees. 
• Oversee cattle operations, including herd health, breeding, feeding, and pasture management. 
• Monitor and address herd health issues. 
• Manage recreational hunting operations, including scheduling, pricing coordination, guides, lodging, and client communication. 
• Ensure compliance with all wildlife regulations, permits, and safety protocols. 
• Maintain and improve wildlife habitat to support sustainable hunting practices.   
• Regularly engage with ownership, dignitaries, high profile guests, business leaders and deliver a high level of service during ranch visits. 
• Manage marketing of ranch operations.
• Identify opportunities for growth, including scouting potential ranch acquisitions. 
• Stay informed of policy issues impacting ranching, cattle, and recreational hunting. 
• Travel periodically to other ranch properties as needed.  

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science, Agribusiness, Wildlife Management, or related field. 

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of cattle production experience is required. Education may be considered in lieu of years of experience.

• Five years of cattle production experience is required. 

Location:

Killam Ranch Properties is located at our Duval County Ranch outside of Freer, Texas, operations extend to other areas in Texas and property in Kansas. The selected candidate will be required to live onsite at the ranch full-time. Relocation is required. 

Skills:

Must have the following skills and/or abilities:

• Excellent communication skills are needed to provide regular updates, express needs, and work across the various units of the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work extended hours as needed, and adapt to seasonal demands and changing operational needs. 
• Demonstrated proficiency with handling cattle and horses. The applicant should have grazing management experience and be comfortable assessing pasture conditions and maintaining cow body condition.
• Leadership skills, highly motivated, trustworthy individual with strong integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to operate independently while managing complex operations.

Licenses/Certifications:

Must have a current valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record. 

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to perform the following physical activity on a frequent to constant basis:

• Ability to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information through verbal communications in person or detect objects in and around job site over the telephone.
• Average, ordinary visual acuity is necessary to prepare or inspect documents; operate a computer or other office or field machinery.
• Ability to walk distances on slippery, even, and/or uneven surfaces.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, reaching, twist, turn, or crawl.
• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and rain.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50-75 pounds on a regular basis. 
• Ability to safely operate and ride in ranch vehicles, ATVs, tractors, and other heavy equipment.
• Ability to work long hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. 

Working Conditions:

• Involves performing work in outdoor weather conditions with exposure to extreme cold, heat, and noise depending upon project site.
• Primarily outdoor and hands on role. 

Other Requirements:

Must be able to:

• Adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, professionalism, and discretion.
• Project a courteous, professional and positive approach with clients, subcontractors, employees, and authorizing agencies while providing prompt, efficient, and accurate assistance. 
• Follow and exchange basic instructions, information, and guidelines.
• Make decisions based on experience or knowledge with minimal supervision.
• Participate in training and development opportunities offered to maintain related software and safety knowledge.
• Adhere to and perform functions according to company and OSHA safety guidelines.
• Maintain regular, timely, and predictable attendance.
• Represent the company in a professional manner to callers and visitors.