Director of Cattle Operations – Ranch

Position Title:

Director of Cattle Operations Name of Ranch/Business:
The 808 Ranch

Location:

Southwest City, Missouri Position Description

The Director of Cattle Operations leads all aspects of cattle production and ranch-based livestock operations for The 808 Ranch. The position oversees commercial cow-calf and Angus seedstock programs; establishes production and financial plans; manages personnel, systems, and resources; and ensures cattle are managed with exceptional standards of animal welfare, productivity, and stewardship. The Director of Cattle Operations will also identify, evaluate, implement, and optimize technologies that improve cattle performance, labor efficiency, data accuracy, decision-making, and financial results.

This includes the ability to build and interpret strategic financial reports that assess the cost, operational impact, payback period, and return on investment of new technologies before and after adoption. This leader will work closely with ownership and ranch leadership to translate long-term business objectives into practical operating plans. The role requires regular travel between ranch locations in Arkansas and Missouri and a highly visible, field-oriented leadership style.

• Significant leadership experience in seedstock and/or commercial cow-calf production.
• Knowledge of cattle reproduction, breeding systems, herd health, nutrition, grazing, and cattle marketing.
• Working knowledge of genetics, performance records, EPDs, genomic information, and seedstock marketing is strongly preferred.
• Experience as a leader with strong people management skills.
• Practical understanding of animal welfare, low-stress cattle handling, workplace safety, and biosecurity.
• Proven capability in preparing and interpreting strategic financial reports, capital-investment analyses, cash-flow projections, and return-on-investment calculations.
• Willingness and ability to travel routinely among ranch locations in Arkansas and Missouri as well as to other industry events.
• A bachelor’s degree in animal science, agricultural business, ranch management, or a related discipline is preferred, but substantial directly relevant experience may substitute for formal education.

• Lead daily, seasonal, and long-range cattle operations across all three ranch locations
• Oversee breeding programs, calving management, weaning, back grounding, cattle feeding, replacement heifer strategy, and culling decisions for both the seedstock and commercial herds
• Develop and execute herd health, vaccination, biosecurity, animal welfare, and record keeping protocols with our veterinarians and adviser
• Coordinate with the Director of Land and Stewardship to implement short and long term animal nutrition and forage programs, including grazing plans, hay production and inventory, supplementation, mineral programs, feed procurement, and drought contingency planning
• Monitor key production indicators, including conception and pregnancy rates, calving distribution, weaning weights, death loss, replacement rates, cow efficiency, pasture utilization, and pounds weaned per exposed female
• Coordinate cattle movement, shipping, receiving, sorting, processing, and inventory reconciliation across all locations
• Maintain high standards for cattle handling practices, facilities, working systems, fencing, water infrastructure, and ranch and herd appearance
• Collaborate and coordinate with the Director of Marketing and Branding to facilitate the capture of content for all The 808 Ranch platforms (print, digital, website, social media)

• Provide leadership and support for the Genetics Program and Sales Manager. Including development of a robust recipient herd program to…