Overview

A general manager is responsible managing and carrying out duties associated with the long-term and day-to-day duties of commercial farms involving animals and livestock. They lead operations by directing and coordinating activities such as animal care, farm maintenance, payroll and recordkeeping. General managers have a strong understanding of all operations on a farm and will assist when needed.

What responsibilities will I have?

• Develop, optimize and reformulate animal feed including soft chews, powders and pellets
• Perform research studies on the efficacy and benefits of formulations
• Build new and maintain existing diets for animals within the formulation guidelines
• Work closely with marketing and sales teams to evaluate client needs and project success
• Identify and evaluate new technologies that enhance current products
• Meet with clients to identify their needs
• Review and optimize existing processes
• Assist in sourcing ingredients for food production
• Coordinate studies to ensure optimal taste of products
• Meet and correspond with customers and suppliers
• Keep time schedules for submissions to customers, formula evaluation, pilot schedule, stability, safety testing, etc.
• Ensure that all company product and testing requirements are met
• Work with operations to transition formula from lab-scale batches to full-scale production
• Utilize the least cost formulation of feed formulations
• Capture formulation cost-saving metrics
• Produce feed nutritional labels
• Present technical data to external scientific, veterinary and business audiences
• Keep up to date with industry trends by networking with the technical community and attending meetings and conventions

What education and training is required?

A degree is not required to become a general manager, however previous hands-on farming experience is necessary. In some cases, an associate or bachelor’s degree in animal science, agricultural business, farm business management or a related field is beneficial.

To pursue a career as an General Manager :

The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, animal science, agricultural mechanics, biology, chemistry, business and personal finance.

Where can I work?

General managers are employed by animal farm owners, large farming companies or they are self-employed and work on their own farms.

Future Job Market / Outlook

Good

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• National Farmers Organization
• Young Farmers and Ranchers Organization
• American Farm Bureau Federation
• American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
• Associations specific to the type of livestock raised