Job Title:           Ranch Manager

Location:           Blue Creek Ranch – Oshkosh, NE

Type:                 Full-Time / Exempt / Benefits-Eligible

Housing:            Yes

Do you enjoy wide open spaces, and do you have a passion for preserving them?  Have you dreamed of being a part of the largest and most progressive bison operation in the world?   At Turner Ranches, we’re dedicated to sustainable ranching and conservation, and we’re looking for talented, like-minded individuals to be a part of our growing team.

Blue Creek Ranch, a pristine, 85,000 acre bison operation and 3000hd feedlot in the beautiful Nebraska Sandhills, is seeking a hands-on and motivated Ranch Manager who is passionate about driving real impact in regenerative agriculture and conservation.  Learn more about Blue Creek Ranch.

JOB PURPOSE

This isn’t a desk job—it’s a leadership role for someone who thrives outdoors and leads by doing. As Ranch Manager, you’ll be deeply involved in day-to-day ranch operations, collaborating with a dedicated team to drive excellence in bison management, habitat conservation, regenerative grazing practices, and innovative finishing techniques. You’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of ranching by blending traditional skills with innovative ecological strategies. We are looking for someone to steward the ranch's resources focusing on minimizing overall inputs, utilizing and leveraging bison's natural advantages, improving soil health, and team leadership based on lead/win leadership perspective. 

As a Ranch Manager, the job responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Operational Coordination and Leadership

• Lead strategic planning efforts to align Blue Creek Ranch operations with both economic and ecological objectives.
• Oversee and coordinate daily, monthly, annual, and long-term operational planning and implementation.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with the Division Manager and other Turner Enterprises staff.
• Manage the recruitment, development, and supervision of ranch staff, including 3+ full-time employees and seasonal team members as needed.
• Provide leadership and support for internship opportunities and learning experiences.
• Collaborate with other Turner Ranches to share knowledge and resources.
• Foster and uphold a strong culture of safety across all ranch activities.

Regenerative Grazing and Land Management

• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive grazing plans.
• Oversee and actively participate in executing grazing strategies, including livestock handling and the development and maintenance of supporting infrastructure.
• Conduct and facilitate regular range monitoring to assess ecosystem health and inform adaptive management.
• Maintain detailed and accurate grazing records for tracking and evaluation.
• Plan and implement regenerative practices on irrigated lands, including seeding, grazing, harvesting, and other land stewardship activities.
• Oversee the development, operation, and upkeep of infrastructure and equipment essential to land management success.

Bison Production

• Handle bison using low-stress livestock handling techniques and ensure all team members receive appropriate training and support.
• Collaborate with the staff veterinarian to implement both proactive and responsive herd health strategies.
• Manage the bison herd holistically, balancing production goals with animal health and welfare.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of marketing strategies for both grass-fed and grain-fed markets.
• Ensure compliance with all labeling and affidavit requirements related to bison production.
• Oversee the selection and shipment of bison to various marketing partners.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain performance and production records (e.g., animal growth, feed inputs, health metrics).
• Perform hands-on tasks related to finishing bison, including feeding, grazing, and supplementing as needed.
• Plan, procure, and track inventory of feed commodities and nutritional supplements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of animal counts and feed inventories.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment essential to bison operations.

Business Administration

• Develop, manage, and oversee annual operating and capital budgets to ensure financial efficiency and alignment with ranch goals.
• Plan and execute large-scale capital development projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Prepare and analyze monthly reports, maintaining accurate records for operational and financial performance.
• Perform a variety of administrative tasks, including bill payment, data entry, and ongoing record maintenance.

Community Outreach

• Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with neighboring ranches, property owners, community leaders, government agencies (local, state, and federal), and non-governmental organizations involved with ranch operations.
• Organize, coordinate, and lead ranch tours, educational events, field days, and other community engagement activities hosted at Blue Creek Ranch.
• Serve as an advocate for the mission, values, and goals of both the Ranch and the broader Company.

Conservation and Research Projects

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

1. A high school diploma or general education degree (GED)  
2. Experience in livestock care and low-stress animal handling 
3. Passion for regenerative biological systems management
4. Experience leading a team.
5. Experience operating heavy equipment and ATVs/UTVs 
6. Openness to new ideas and creative problem solving. 
7. Basic computer skills, including preparation of reports and spreadsheets  
8. This position requires the operation of vehicles, and you’ll need to possess a valid driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of employment.  Your driving record will need to meet the standards and requirements of the Company and the Company’s insurance provider 
9. You’ll need to present documentation establishing both identity and employment authorization within three days of hire pursuant to federal law 

Preferred:

1. Relevant bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Natural Resources or a related field 
2. Five years’ experience in production agriculture 

YOUR QUALITIES 

• Extreme Ownership and Leadership capabilities.
• Commitment to Mission and Team  
• Range Management / Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) Management  
• Stockmanship  
• Initiative and adaptability  
• Humility and ability to learn from others  

 WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
The Company offers full time employees an elite benefits package, including medical dental and vision insurance, basic life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) plan with matching contributions, paid time off and paid holidays.  

ACCOMMODATIONS

On-ranch, single-family housing with basic utilities (power, water, propane) will be provided subject to a Company Housing Agreement and Company policies.   

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

On a regular basis, you can expect to:

• Stand; sit; walk; move hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. 
• Lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
• Perform physical labor for extended periods of time.

On a frequent basis, you can expect to:

• Ride an ATV/UTV for extended periods of time on uneven, rough terrain and occasionally on roads and flat terrain while performing ranch duties. 
• Climb ladders and pipe corrals, drag and place flood irrigation dams, climb in and out of irrigation ditches, and wade in thigh-deep flowing water. 
• Lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. 

On an occasional basis, you can expect to:

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

You will regularly be exposed to moving mechanical parts; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat. You will frequently be exposed to high, precarious places and fumes or airborne particles. You will occasionally be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and the work environment characteristics are representative of those you may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Accommodation inquiries must be made to the Company’s Human Resources Department for consideration.

Turner Enterprises Management, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Smoke Free/Drug-Free Workplace.

For more information, visit www.tedturner.com.