Dairy Manager

Kansas State University

The Kansas State University Dairy Teaching and Research Center (DTRC) serves the dairy teaching, research, and extension missions of the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry. The DTRC, located 3 miles from campus, is one of the highest-producing university herds in the nation, and is supported by a dedicated team of employees. Kansas is one of the of fastest-growing dairy states, with continued expansion expected in the future. The knowledge generated at the DTRC through research, teaching, and extension activities is critical to maintaining the continued growth of the Kansas dairy industry and beyond.

We are seeking a Dairy Manager to lead a team of full- and part-time employees in day-to-day facility operations and care of our Holstein herd. You will also work closely with faculty and students to facilitate research trials ranging from reproduction to nutrition studies.

We offer a salary range of $52,530 - $70,000.00 annually along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, housing option, and PTO (vacation, sick, and holidays).

What You ll Do:
Animal care - The DTRC Manager oversees the routine care (feeding, milking, reproductive management, herd health, waste management, etc.) of the mature cows and young stock. The incumbent will work with herd veterinarians and faculty supervisors to establish, execute, and evaluate standard operating protocols for maintaining optimum animal care, herd production, and research study outcomes.

Operational management - The DTRC Manager will oversee and conduct routine daily operational management of the facility, including (but not limited to):

The Kansas State University Dairy Teaching and Research Center (DTRC) serves the dairy teaching, research, and extension missions of the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry. The DTRC, located 3 miles from campus, is one of the highest-producing university herds in the nation, and is supported by a dedicated team of employees. Kansas is one of the of fastest-growing dairy states, with continued expansion expected in the future. The knowledge generated at the DTRC through research, teaching, and extension activities is critical to maintaining the continued growth of the Kansas dairy industry and beyond.

•   Animal record maintenance

•   Feed inventory and procurement

•   Repair and maintenance of facilities and equipment

•   Regulatory compliance (environmental, milk sanitation, research, etc.)

•   Cleaning and infrastructure maintenance

•   Manure management and export

•   Coordination of research facilities and animal allocations at the DTRC

•   Coordination with researchers for scheduling and facilitation of research projects

•   Coordinate teaching and extension activities that occur on the DTRC.

•   Communicate with department and faculty in establishing goals for facility projects, herd management, and research logistics.

Supervision - The DTRC Manager will lead a talented team of employees to ensure adequate care of livestock and daily operations of the DTRC, including (but not limited to):

•   Supervise, mentor, coach, and redirect employees (fulltime, part time, and student labor)

•   Hire full time, part time, and student labor.

•   Train employees in appropriate aspects of their job responsibilities

•   Assign work responsibilities and weekly work schedules.

•   Ensure maintenance of occupational health and safety training requirements of all employees

•   Communication between researchers and farm staff of protocols and processes required for adequate research project treatment administration and data collection.

•   Maintain a motivated and vibrant working environment by facilitating communication among the DTRC staff, students, and supervisors.

•   Manage payroll.

Other responsibilities -

•   Receive emergency calls at all times. Unless delegated to others, as appropriate.

•   Work with the DTRC assistant manager to cover supervisory duties on weekends and holidays.

•   Perform additional tasks and duties as assigned by the faculty supervisors.

•   Conduct tours for visitors with different backgrounds at the DTRC, e.g., farmers, students, technicians, youth, consumers, etc.

What You ll Need to Succeed:

•   A bachelor s degree and 3+ years of relevant experience

•   Experience working with large animals, especially dairy cattle.

•   Experience operating heavy machinery and conducting facility repairs highly preferred

•   Strong interpersonal and communication skills
. Date posted: 04/07/2024