Unequivocal blue-ribbon position within the Australian beef industry. - Autonomous managerial role within elite Wagyu company.
- Darling Downs QLD – hotspot for family & community life.
- Attractive remuneration package including accommodation.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a permanent, full time Feedlot Manager to become part of a well-regarded and established company, owned by Japan’s largest meat wholesaler. Our client’s recent acquisition of this extensive and successful elite wagyu beef breeding, feeding, and farming operation covers approximately 6,900 hectares of premium rangelands in the highly productive Darling Downs region of Southeast Queensland. This flagship position is unparalleled and offers the successful candidate a chance to take pride in representing a reputable company, known as a leading Wagyu brand, worldwide.
The company runs a specialised Wagyu feedlot featuring 32 pens, with plans approved to construct an additional 10 pens, increasing the licensed capacity to 4,800 SCU. A significant portion of the grazing area has been enhanced with improved pasture, while around 800 hectares are dedicated to farming, including 285 hectares managed under lateral irrigation primarily by contractors. Every element of breeding, feeding, and farming in this business is meticulously measured and managed to ensure efficiency throughout the entire operation.
Reporting to the General Manager, the successful Feedlot Manager will be a natural hands-on leader. The hands-on manager will be expected to collaborate with staff in the pens, sheds, and other areas when needed. Initially, the successful candidate will focus on learning and developing within the role by collaborating with the current Acting Manager during the initial months of employment with the aim of taking on the position independently as soon as feasible. Once established in the position, the Feedlot Manager will enjoy a degree of autonomy.
There are three staff members on-site responsible for rolling grain (all dry rolling), walking the pens, and performing maintenance and repairs, all of which will require managerial oversight. An external maintenance company will be engaged to handle major maintenance tasks within the feedlot.
Duties include but may not be limited to: - Leading, organising, and training a small team of 3-4 staff on a daily basis.
- Identifying sick cattle and administering appropriate treatment.
- Conducting various animal husbandry tasks, including treatments, inductions, and drafting.
- Drafting and weighing cattle for sale.
- Liaising with commodity suppliers, such as grain and cottonseed providers, and coordinating deliveries.
- Communicating with custom feed clients.
- Overseeing the Quality Assurance (QA) program.
- Managing the scheduled maintenance of machinery and equipment.
- Providing regular reports to the owners.
- Participating in a weekend roster every four weeks.
- Contributing to the budgeting process.
Selection Criteria: - Proven experience in the broader livestock sector, with a skill set that would favourably include livestock handling, machinery operation and maintenance, team leadership, record-keeping and reporting, effective time management, and computer proficiency.
- The transferable skilled Feedlot Manager doesn’t necessarily need to have experience specifically with Wagyu cattle but should possess strong managerial skills and livestock management expertise, ideally within a feedlot, intensive grazing, or stud operation.
- A clear ambition for career advancement eventually towards a General Manager role. While not necessarily at that level yet, there should be a strong desire to progress.
- Transferable technology skills for utilising reporting programs that include Stockbook and FY3000 in addition to regular operating programs.
- Must possess the ability to provide clear reports and work directly with the Japanese owners. Effective communication is crucial, so both email and verbal interactions are highly important.
- To eventually be capable of taking charge of a budget, with opportunities for growth in the role and greater involvement in the financial aspects of the business as a key requirement.
- To comprehend and uphold the existing Quality Assurance program while ideally showcasing prior experience in QA work.
Additional Particulars: - The gross annual remuneration, along with suitable rental accommodation, a work vehicle, laptop, and mobile phone, will be determined through negotiation and will take into account the candidate’s experience relevant to the position.
- Work for a partner as the company’s Financial Officer is a possibility depending on skills and experience. This work would include financial data management, data entry and administrative work and may be a part time, work from home position.
Additionally, the successful candidate will be a person who has a sincere passion for the beef industry, and someone who demonstrates these characteristics through their highly developed personal standards and motivations. While a manager who is looking to transfer from their current comparable position will be highly regarded, a future leader wishing to progress within their career will also be deemed as a very suitable applicant.
Applications should contain an updated resume and covering letter. References will be requested.