Ranch Livestock Manager -Kapiti Plains Estate Limited

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Ranch Livestock Manager on behalf of Kapiti Plains Estate Ltd to manage the day-to-day livestock operations ensuring optimal animal health, productivity, and genetic improvement. The position holder will oversee livestock health and husbandry, breeding and selection programmes, electronic record keeping (breeding, production, and sales data), grazing management, hay making, and supplementary feeding. In addition, the Ranch Livestock Manager will oversee the maintenance of livestock-related assets (waterholes, boreholes, machinery, and housing), support scientists in implementing research trials, collaborates with the Head of Security on livestock security matters, assists in budget preparation, and manages livestock department personnel, including recruitment, training, and performance appraisal.

Kapiti Plains Estate Limited is a public limited company, wholly owned by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The ranch’s objective is to run as a state-of-the-art research station and a commercially viable farm. Kapiti Plains Estate Limited is located 60 km southeast of Nairobi on the Mombasa road, in Kenya’s semi-arid lands (550mm average rainfall) at an altitude of 1,650–1,900m above sea level, and is part of the Athi-Kapiti Ecosystem. Kapiti Plains Estate Limited is also home to a vast array of wildlife. These provide livestock scientists with unique opportunities to include wildlife in their research projects. Since September 2020 Kapiti Plains Estate Limited has been registered as a wildlife conservancy with the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS).

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is an international organization working for better lives and better planet through livestock. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR, a global research alliance that works to transform food, land and water systems in a climate crisis and is the only CGIAR centre dedicated to addressing multiple development challenges through sustainable livestock solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Livestock Health & Husbandry Management:

• Supervise all routine treatments, vaccinations, and disease prevention protocols.
• Ensure proper animal identification through notching, tattoos, branding, and RFID tags.
• Oversee supplementary feeding programmes and ensure nutritional requirements are met.
• Implement effective grazing management strategies, including rotational grazing and hay making.

Breeding & Selection:

• Conduct selection of breeding stock, culling candidates, and sale animals.
• Maintain and improve genetic quality through controlled breeding programmes.
• Perform or coordinate artificial insemination (AI) services as required.

Record Keeping & Data Management:

• Develop and maintain an electronic database for breeding data, production records, and sales records.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of all livestock data, including herd movements and health interventions (cattlemax).
• Prepare monthly livestock reports for the Senior Manager/Head – Kapiti.

Asset & Infrastructure Management:

• Oversee the management and maintenance of livestock-related assets, including waterholes, boreholes, machinery, equipment, and livestock housing.
• Schedule and supervise routine maintenance and repairs to prevent downtime.
• Recommend capital investments for infrastructure improvements.

Research Support:

• Support scientists during implementation of experimental trials involving livestock.
• Ensure research protocols are followed without compromising animal welfare.
• Provide technical input on livestock-related research designs.

Security & Safety Coordination:

• Work in close collaboration with the Kapiti Head of Security on all livestock security issues, including theft, predator control, and boundary integrity.
• Implement livestock movement controls to prevent straying and losses.

Administrative & Financial Duties:

• Assist in budget preparation for livestock operations and ensure financial resources are properly utilised through effective monitoring.
• Authorise and track livestock-related expenditures (feed, veterinary supplies, fuel).
• Approve sales invoices for livestock and track receipts in coordination with the Kapiti Accountant.

Personnel Management:

• Manage livestock department staff, including recruitment, orientation, and training of new personnel.
• Allocate tasks and responsibilities and monitor performance.
• Prepare staff appraisals and recommend remuneration adjustments.
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned by the Senior Manager/Head – Kapiti.

Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in animal Husbandry, Animal Science, Livestock Production, Veterinary Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive, hands-on management experience in livestock operations, preferably in a ranch or research setting.
• Demonstrated experience in livestock breeding programmes, animal identification systems, and the sale of livestock.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of animal health, husbandry, breeding programmes, and grazing management.
• Proven ability to manage livestock-related assets, including machinery, water infrastructure (waterholes and boreholes), and animal housing.
• Proficiency in electronic record-keeping, database management, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated capability in developing, planning, and implementing short- and long-term operational goals.

Leadership & Management Competencies

• Demonstrated team leadership and people management skills, including staff supervision, training, and performance appraisal.
• Proven ability to supervise, organise, prioritise, and schedule work effectively across a diverse team.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement in the management of day-to-day ranch operations.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with researchers, security teams, and ranch management.

Key Attributes

• Results-oriented and capable of balancing competing operational priorities.
• Sound decision-making and problem-solving skills in a dynamic ranch environment.
• Commitment to animal welfare, productivity, and continuous genetic improvement.

Location: Kapiti Plains Estate Ltd — Machakos, Kenya.

Terms of Appointment: This is a full-time position offered on a contract basis and is open only to Kenyan nationals.

How to apply: Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV, including contact details for three professional referees, to the Hiring Manager through our recruitment portal by clicking “Apply Now” on or before 20 November 2026. The position title and reference number REF: Kapiti/02/2026 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for Kapiti Plains Estate Ltd. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Kapiti Plains Estate Ltd does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). Kapiti Plains Estate Ltd also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.