Cattle Ranch Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Calf Ranch Manager

📍 Central Valley, California

💰 $75,000 - $100,000 DOE

🕒 Full-Time | Exempt

A growing and progressive dairy operation is seeking an experienced Calf Ranch Manager to oversee calf and maternity programs across multiple facilities. This leadership role is responsible for managing daily operations from newborn calf care through weaning, driving continuous improvement initiatives, developing SOPs, training teams, and ensuring excellence in calf health, biosecurity, and operational performance.

The ideal candidate will bring strong dairy management experience, leadership capabilities, and a passion for animal welfare and team development.

Key Responsibilities

Calf Ranch Operations & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee operations across multiple calf ranch locations to ensure consistency and adherence to industry best practices.
• Identify operational challenges and implement solutions to improve efficiency, productivity, and animal care outcomes.
• Lead special projects and collaborate with leadership teams on continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and refine SOPs and workflows to improve team effectiveness and operational performance.
• Monitor equipment and supply needs and coordinate maintenance and inventory requirements.

Maternity Program Oversight

• Monitor maternity operations and ensure adherence to calving and dystocia protocols.
• Oversee calf processing procedures including:
• Calf resuscitation
• Navel dipping
• Identification tagging
• Birth weights and sexing
• Treatment administration
• Manage colostrum programs including Brix testing, heat treatment processes, and feeding protocols.
• Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with all procedures.

Calf Health & Young Stock Management

• Oversee calf intake, vaccinations, dehorning procedures, and pain mitigation protocols.
• Ensure proper milk and milk replacer preparation and feeding consistency.
• Manage weaning programs and monitor calf growth and development.
• Maintain standards for hygiene, bedding, ventilation, and seasonal stress management.
• Monitor health scores, treatment records, medication compliance, mortality reviews, and necropsy processes.
• Analyze production and health data to improve KPIs and support management decision-making.

Leadership, Training & Compliance

• Lead, coach, and develop teams across multiple shifts in a 24/7 operation.
• Coordinate staffing schedules and daily work assignments.
• Conduct training programs focused on safety, animal care, and operational procedures.
• Promote a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture.
• Ensure compliance with biosecurity standards, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting for leadership review.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 2-4 years of hands-on cattle experience within a commercial dairy, calf ranch, or maternity setting.
• Experience supervising employees and leading teams preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Experience with digital recordkeeping systems and agricultural software platforms.
• Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, evenings, and on-call rotations as needed.
• Bilingual Spanish/English strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with animal welfare programs and training.
• Experience with DairyComp or similar herd management software.
• Bachelor's degree in animal science, Agriculture, Dairy Science, or related field preferred.
• Experience operating agricultural equipment such as loaders, skid steers, and cattle trailers.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to safely climb on and off equipment.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 75 pounds.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a well-established agricultural operation committed to excellence in calf care, employee development, and continuous improvement. The organization offers a collaborative environment where experienced dairy professionals can make a meaningful impact on animal health, operational success, and team performance.