Manager, Livestock Research Centres (Dairy, Beef & Sheep)

Department: OMAFRA Research Facilities
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full-time from 06/29/2026 to 05/12/2029 
Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. 
 Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) 

General Purpose

The University of Guelph is seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Manager, Livestock Research Centres (Dairy, Beef, Sheep & Ponsonby). In this pivotal role, you will oversee four separate, high-intensity livestock research operations and facilities, alongside the Precision Feed Facility. This includes the Ontario Beef Research Centres (Elora and New Liskeard), the Ontario Dairy Research Centre, the Ontario Sheep Research Centre, and the Ponsonby General Animal Facilities.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring these world-class facilities continually support the research trials of over 30 faculty members and more than 50 technicians and graduate students across multiple university departments,  bridging the gap between complex scientific research and commercial-scale agricultural production.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with research leaders to implement complex trials, managing the SOPs, associated with 1,500 animals under strict Animal Use Protocols.
• Provide leadership and full HR oversight—including hiring, training, and performance evaluations—for full-time staff, and contract workers while fostering a strict culture of health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Independently manage the 365-day operation of over 325,000 sq ft of livestock housing and labs overseeing all utilities, emergency repairs, and a 5-year capital project plan involving design, quotes, and contractor tendering.
• Take full accountability for budgets totaling $6.5 million in annual expenditures, while driving $5 million in annual revenue from milk and livestock sales and managing high-value procurement contracts. 
• Provide key operational input on design, equipment selection, and construction deficiencies during facility redevelopments, while managing the safe transition of staff, animals, and data to new builds, and serving as the primary liaison for government agencies, industry groups, and station neighbors.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, Business, or a closely related discipline. Master’s degree (M.Sc.) is an asset
• Minimum of 5 years of previous related job experience in livestock management or research facility operations.
• Hands-on expertise in beef, dairy, and sheep production systems.
• Proven experience managing diverse personnel, supervising contractors, and administering multi-million-dollar operating budgets.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills under conflicting regulatory demands, competence in financial reporting systems, and a strong understanding of technical livestock equipment.
• Valid Ontario "G" Driver’s Licence.

Highly Preferred Certifications

• Certified Worker under the Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Supervisor H&S Awareness training.
• Effective Supervisor Certificate.
• CCAC Animal Care Training modules and Livestock Medicine Certification.
• First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, Confined Space, and Working at Heights certifications.

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10447023 
Classification: P&M FT- Band 07    
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands 
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date:  06/10/2026  
Closing Date:  06/24/2026