Ranch Livestock Manager

About the role

Kapiti Plains Estate Ltd, a public limited company wholly owned by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), is recruiting a Ranch Livestock Manager to run its livestock operations as a research station and commercially viable farm. The postholder oversees animal health, husbandry, breeding and selection, grazing and feeding, asset maintenance, research support, security coordination, budget assistance and staff management. The position is full-time, on a contract basis and open only to Kenyan nationals.

Key responsibilities

• Livestock health and husbandry: supervise routine treatments, vaccinations and disease prevention; ensure animal identification (notching, tattoos, branding, RFID); oversee supplementary feeding and grazing management including rotational grazing and hay making.
• Breeding and selection: select breeding stock, cull and sell animals, maintain genetic quality through controlled breeding programmes, and perform or coordinate artificial insemination.
• Record keeping: maintain an electronic database of breeding, production and sales data, enter herd movements and health interventions (cattlemax), and prepare monthly livestock reports for the Senior Manager/Head.
• Assets and infrastructure: manage and maintain waterholes, boreholes, machinery, equipment and housing, schedule maintenance and recommend capital investments.
• Research support: help scientists implement trials, follow protocols and give technical input on research designs.
• Security and safety: work with the Head of Security on theft, predator control and boundary integrity, and control livestock movements.
• Admin and finance: assist in budget preparation, authorise and track feed, veterinary and fuel spending, and approve sales invoices with the Accountant.
• Personnel: recruit, train and appraise staff, allocate tasks and monitor performance.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, animal science, livestock production, veterinary science or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressive, hands-on management experience in livestock operations, preferably in a ranch or research setting.
• Demonstrated experience in breeding programmes, animal identification systems and livestock sales.
• Team leadership, supervision, scheduling and independent judgement in daily operations.

Required skills

• Knowledge of animal health, husbandry, breeding programmes and grazing management.
• Management of livestock assets such as machinery, water infrastructure and housing.
• Electronic record keeping, database management and Microsoft Office.
• Planning and implementing operational goals.

To apply, submit a cover letter and CV with three professional referees through the recruitment portal by 20 November 2026, marking the subject line with the position title and reference number Kapiti/02/2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and there is no fee at any stage of the process.