General Manager, Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence
PRIMARY PURPOSE
The Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) is a unique complex of both science and field laboratories that models all aspects of raising livestock on the Canadian Prairies. The LFCE encompasses the Livestock value chain, including forage development, grazing management and environmental sustainability to the science of reproduction and nutrition, cow-calf, bison, cervid, equine management, and feedlot cattle health, growth and productivity.
The LFCE is a leader in developing research, teaching and technology transfer programs that provide the livestock and forage industries of Saskatchewan and Canada with new tools and techniques for healthy, sustainable and competitive growth. The LFCE includes livestock facilities (Beef Cattle Research & Teaching Unit, Forage & Cow-Calf Research & Teaching Unit, and Goodale Research Farm), and a large base of forage production and grazing land all near Saskatoon, SK. The Centre’s research focuses on the following key areas: cow-calf production; intensive livestock production; forage, pasture and grazing management; and, bison, cervid, and equine management, nutrition, and reproduction.
The LFCE provides researchers, faculty, students, producers and the agriculture industry with an innovative, broad-based platform for research, teaching and extension activities.
The purpose of the position is to provide operational, financial, and human resource leadership to all areas associated with the Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence – a broad organization consisting of a complement of diverse operations and a large land base. The position oversees an operating budget exceeding $5 million and a staff complement of approximately 15 people within the bargaining units of ASPA and CUPE 1975. The General Manager will facilitate working relationships with and among researchers to promote the expansion of relevant industry-driven applied research in all programs across the LFCE. Such efforts will maximize LFCE resources to obtain efficient, reliable, and credible research to enhance the livestock industries of today and future generations.
NATURE OF WORK
Reporting to, and working collaboratively with the Director, the General Manager is a member of the senior management team directly involved with planning and development of the operational direction of the Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence as it relates to academic, research, production and outreach programs. The position requires close collaboration amongst and between the Management Team, with faculty and research scientists, extension specialists and instructional staff. The General Manager provides leadership in all areas associated with the LFCE and works interdependently to ensure the Centre helps facilitate research activity and the efficient use of resources by researchers, faculty, extension and teaching staff, while maintaining economic viability. This includes leadership in the operations of all facilities within the LFCE, land management and allocation, financial management, and human resource management. The General Manager is accountable for the purchase and sale of animals, contracts with respect to custom research services, custom feeding agreements, contracted services, land rental/access, and contracts with research partners within the government and livestock and forage industries and submits appropriate documentation. The General Manager is responsible for ensuring that standard practices with respect to purchasing, sales, scheduling, time reporting and vacation management are implemented and carried out within all operations of the LFCE to adhere to the University’s policies in addition to meeting the needs of the operations and fulfilling the goals of the LFCE. The General Manager provides leadership direction and oversight for the design, implementation and ongoing assessment of the occupational health & safety program and animal care program within all operations associated with the LFCE.
This position works in a complex environment providing leadership in a multi-level organization involving significant financial resources and capital investment. The General Manager requires discretion, tact, professionalism and a commitment to continuous improvement. The General Manager regularly deals with human resources and labor relations issues and maintains professionalism and confidentiality regarding people-related issues and information. Day-to-day operational purchasing, sales and human resource management decisions are made independently. The position provides critical advice for the Director with respect to extensive projects and significant issues.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: At minimum, a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture or a related discipline with substantial relevant experience.
Experience: A minimum of five years of management experience relevant to this position: experience in livestock, forage, and annual crop production; experience in recruiting, leading, and performance management of people; financial management experience; proficient in the use of PC computer systems and Microsoft Office software. A good understanding of Canadian Council of Animal Care guidelines as well as health, safety and environment protocols along with a knowledge of University requirements and processes, is required.
Skills:
• Expert administrative, financial, organizational and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, manage and evaluate employees to effectively achieve desired outcomes.
• The ability to work in a Team, communicate and collaborate effectively with faculty, research scientists, students, and a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing interests, projects and deadlines.
• Tact, diplomacy, good judgment and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and quality assurance.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
Provide Human Resource and Labor Relations Leadership for the Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence:
• Provide leadership and support to the Director to recruit, train, and effectively outline expectations to staff, provide quality coaching and monitor staff performance to ensure the success of employees in delivering outcomes aligned with the mandate of the LFCE.
• Provide leadership to develop and implement appropriate supervisory controls ensuring objective and consistent employee relations are met across the LFCE.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with faculty, instructional staff, external partners and other LFCE personnel, in ensuring high standards in research, teaching and training.
Provide Financial and Resource Management for the Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence:
• Effective budget planning and management to achieve a cost-effective and up-to-date Centre of Excellence: Development of operating and capital budget requirements; assessment and approval of purchases, including the purchase and sale of animals, supplies, services, and equipment; review and setting of research recovery rates and implementation of subsequent administrative processes.
• Assess needs, develop, implement and delegate effective management protocols for efficient and effective Centre operation and a high standard of facility maintenance across the LFCE: Feed and animal health protocols; facility upkeep; pen cleaning and manure management; animal and feed purchases and sales; equipment maintenance, repairs, and purchases; and forage/annual crop production.
• Develop, communicate and implement effective management policies and practices across the LFCE: Build professional working relationships and use discretion in decision making; provide expertise and share best practices with other personnel.
Direct Efficient Operations and Enable Research, Teaching and Extension Activity
• Plan and develop the operations of the Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence as it relates to academic and research programs in terms of facility use and commercial operations, for presentation to the LFCE management team and approval of the Director.
· Provide leadership as a member of the LFCE management team that strives to build and grow an excellent research and teaching center through collaboration with the Director, Program Facilitators, and Head of Operations.
• Collaborate with research staff to devise and implement technology and research protocols that facilitate excellence in research and teaching in all LFCE facilities, including an effective communication strategy.
• Ensure meticulous record keeping in all operations, which is of vital importance to research and operations.
• Provide leadership of operations within all of the LFCE facilities, annual cropping, feed and forage production, land use and allocation to meet operational and research requirements, manure management, equipment maintenance and renewal, and facility maintenance, renovations, and renewal.
• Maintain a high degree of knowledge in relation to intensive and extensive livestock production and industry practices by attending scientific and industry meetings.
• Provide leadership and ensure the LFCE is available and meets the needs of teaching, outreach and extension programs.
• Participate as a member of the scientific team as appropriate.
Provide Risk Management Leadership and Direction for the Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence
• Provide leadership and direction to ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.
• Provide leadership and ensure practices are in adherence to Canadian Council of Animal Care as well as with leading standards established by industry.
• Successfully manage financial and reputational risk in negotiations with vendors and suppliers.
Competencies: Competencies are attributes, behaviours, manner and style of how skills and knowledge are applied to the position. The competencies below are the desired attributes which support the University of Saskatchewan’s strategic directions and people values. For a detailed listing of the University of Saskatchewan’s competencies, visit: http://working.usask.ca/documents/recruitandhire/recruitmentandemployment/competencies.pdf
Leadership / Vision
The demonstrated ability to build a shared, compelling and credible vision of the future, influencing people to ensure outcomes that support achieving the vision; a culture of leadership.
Support for Progress
The demonstrated ability to initiate, implement, and support innovation and institutional change and enhance programs and services.
Results Orientation
Focuses on results and completing objectives within the framework defined by the University’s plans and policies.
Personal Effectiveness
Demonstrates an ability to reflect, clarify and commit to what is important, take responsibility for growth and development, and contribute to positive and productive work and learning environments.
Communication
The demonstrated ability to convey information and ideas to individuals in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand, retain, and respond to the message.
Relationship Building
The demonstrated ability to develop the rapport necessary to build, maintain and/or strengthen partnerships and relationships inside and outside of the University.
Department: Livestock & Forage Centre of Excellence
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: Exempt
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $93,004.00 - 155,808.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 4
Posted Date: 10/1/2025
Closing Date: 10/28/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus
The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.
