Cattle Ranch Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

Oversees calf ranch programs across multiple facilities, including daily operations from newborn to weaning and maternity care. Develops and implements SOPs, conducts staff training, and ensures high standards in calf health, biosecurity, and data accuracy. Supports management with data-driven tools to improve efficiency and business performance. Supervises calf and maternity teams across day, evening and overnight shifts in a 24/7 operation. Reports to the General Manager.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

· Multi-Site Farm Operations & Continuous Improvement

· Rotate across all farm locations to monitor performance, identify issues, and implement solutions that align with Dairy Calf & Heifer Association Gold Standards.

· Lead and support special farm projects, collaborating with facility teams to enhance animal care and operational performance.

· Propose and execute cost-saving strategies while maintaining high standards of care and compliance.

· Develop and refine procedures to improve task efficiency, time management, and overall workflow for team members.

· Report equipment failures or shortages to site-specific herdsmen; assist in maintaining equipment and supply inventory.

· Assist with Maternity Management

· Monitor close-up pens, identify labor stages, and intervene per dystocia protocols; escalate to veterinary care as needed.

· Perform critical calving tasks including calf resuscitation, navel dipping, tagging/ID, birth weights, sexing, and administering dam treatments.

· Lead colostrum program: ensure timely first feedings, perform Brix testing, manage culture and heat-treatment, and maintain accurate cooler/fridge logs.

· Calf Ranch & Young stock Oversight

· Manage calf intake processing, vaccinations, dehorning, and pain mitigation protocols.

· Ensure accuracy in milk and milk replacer mixing; conduct routine feeding audits and manage weaning step-down protocols.

· Monitor and maintain hutch/pen hygiene, bedding, ventilation, and seasonal stress management plans.

· Perform daily health scoring, maintain treatment logs, ensure medication withholding compliance, and coordinate mortality reviews and necropsies.

· Oversee and analyze data for all young stock to support operational decisions and improve KPI trends.

· People Management, Training & Compliance

· Schedule 24/7 maternity coverage and assign feed and health routes for crews.

· Coach, evaluate, and certify employees; lead bilingual training sessions to ensure safety, protocol adherence, and task proficiency.

· Foster a positive, collaborative work environment by modeling professional behavior and teamwork.

· Promote and enforce biosecurity, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance across all operations.

· Keep accurate digital records and submit daily operational reports to management.

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Minimum Qualifications and Education Requirements:

· High school diploma or GED equivalent required.

· 2–4+ years of hands-on cattle experience in a commercial dairy, calf ranch, or maternity barn setting.

· Proficient in computer use, including email, Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, or similar programs.

· Familiarity with recordkeeping systems and basic spreadsheet functions; DairyComp experience preferred.

· Experience with smartphones or tablets for digital recordkeeping and communication.

· Valid CA driver’s license and reliable transportation.

· Available to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and participate in an on-call rotation as needed.

· Experience working cooperatively as part of a high performing team.

· Bilingual Spanish & English

Preferred Qualifications:

· Has experience with Animal Welfare training

· DC305 Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in agricultural, animal science, or related field

· Experience operating dairy farm equipment including cattle trailer, skidsteers, loaders, etc.

Organizational Support:
Follows policies and procedures including wearing and using PPE, completes tasks correctly and on time, and supports organization's goals and values.

Mathematical Skills:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts to make conversions using variable units such as gallons, pounds, ounces, grams and tonnages; Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. As well as safely climbing off and on equipment.
• The employee must regularly lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

· Spends majority of their working hours in the open air in all temperatures and conditions.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned.

California Dairy Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer/ EEO