Equine Research Unit Assistant Manager

Equine Research Unit Assistant Manager

The Equine Research Unit Assistant Manager, based at 4-Square Ranch in River Falls, Wisconsin, works closely with the Equine Research Manager to assist in the day-to-day management of the equine unit. This person serves as a key operational leader for herd health practices, inventory and supply management, recordkeeping, and coordination with external service providers, including veterinarians and farriers. This role also oversees part-time employees and weekend coverage, ensuring consistent animal care, accurate documentation, and adherence to established protocols. This position plays an essential role in maintaining high standards of animal welfare, research readiness, and professional operations within a public-facing research facility.

Equine Care & Herd Health Leadership

• Along with Equine Research Manager, oversees the health and well-being of 40–50 horses, including health monitoring.
• Maintain accurate and up to date herd health records including vaccinations, deworming, floats and any injuries or medical treatment.
• Coordinate schedules and logistics for farriers, veterinarians, and other external service providers, working closely with the unit manager and ensuring records are updated.
• Monitor horse health and welfare in collaboration with the Manager, Grooming & Husbandry Lead, veterinarians, and research staff.
• Communicate health concerns promptly and assist with first aid or follow up care as needed.
• Manage inventory for feed, hay, bedding, medical supplies, and general barn materials.
• Forecast needs and ensure the facility remains appropriately stocked to support daily operations and research trials.
• Coordinate ordering and tracking of supplies for both routine care and research specific needs.
• Support budget awareness and responsible resource usage.
• Communicate service outcomes and needs with the Manager and relevant team members.

Work Environment

• Combination of barn, laboratory, and office settings.
• Physical requirements:   work requires constant physical effort and working outdoors in varying conditions.; lifting 50-75 lbs; shoveling, sweeping, walking, catching and handling horses; operates farm equipment; work requires normal hearing and vision; exposure to rabies and other zoonotic diseases, animal inflicted injuries.
• Requires irregular hours at times, including weekends or on-call responsibilities, especially during foaling season or animal health emergencies. This person may need to be available on holidays on a rotating basis with management.

Research Support, Recordkeeping, and Facility Compliance

• Assist in sample collection for research trials working with the Unit Manager and Equine Innovation Manager.
• Support equine research activities by maintaining accurate records, inventories, and documentation related to animal use and care.
• Coordinate ordering and tracking of supplies for both routine care and research‑specific needs.
• Prepare all collection materials for research trials with guidance from the Unit Manager and Equine Innovation Manager.
• Assist with preparation of research materials and coordination of animal readiness for studies.
• This person will work with the unit manager to abide by and promote all Land O Lakes EHS rules, regulations, and trainings.
• Ensure compliance with all research, animal welfare, and safety protocols, including IACUC requirements.

Staff Coordination & Supervision

• Manage part‑time employees and weekend staffing, including all trainings, performance reviews, and associated administrative tasks.
• Oversee daily feedings, watering, and cleaning pens of other livestock species at 4-Square Ranch to ensure high standards of cleanliness, safety, biosecurity, and animal welfare.
• Serve as the point person for weekend operations, addressing routine issues and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Provide guidance and support to ensure consistent animal care standards across all shifts.

4-Square VIP, Customer Engagement & Brand Advocate:

• Support VIP initiatives and help host on-site engagements
• Partner cross-functionally to strengthen customer and consumer retail experience, leading to brand loyalty and product sales through the 4-Square experience. VIP customers include veterinarians, equine influencers, retail channel partners (dealers, farm and ranch, online) and horse owners. 
• Brand Representation: Act as a proud ambassador for the Purina brand and 4 Square Ranch, consistently upholding our reputation for excellence and delivering a superior customer journey.
• Professional Demeanor: Maintain a consistently courteous, professional, and composed presence, even in fast-paced or challenging situations.

Personal Leadership & Development:

• Conduct work in alignment with enterprise and R&D team practices and goals.
• Foster a culture that prioritizes Land O’ Lakes values and expectations across all R&D and partner functions/departments.
• Engage in professional development, training and team building as needed to be successful in role.

Required Qualifications:

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Equine Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience in barn management and equine husbandry.
• Strong knowledge of horse care, behavior, and health management including recognition of problems requiring veterinary care. Experience managing teams and supervising staff.
• Experience with inventory management, recordkeeping, and operational coordination.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

Competencies & Other Skills

• Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Critical thinking and proactive problem-solving.
• Attention to detail and commitment to data quality.
• An ability to connect with people and make them feel valued and heard.
• Ability to remain calm and composed while maintaining a welcoming attitude in a dynamic environment.
• Lead and embrace change, demonstrating agility to meet business needs.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across multiple teams.
• Ability to anticipate challenges and prepare accordingly with strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills across diverse operational areas.
• Computer skills MS office.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience and Education

• Experience working in a research environment, particularly equine nutrition and exercise physiology including running horses on treadmills, utilizing an equi-ciser and familiarity with additional equine data collection systems.
• Familiarity with animal welfare, compliance, and safety programs.
• Hands-on experience with equine reproductive management (ultrasound and artificial insemination).
• Previous supervisory or lead experience.
• Familiarity with Workday or similar HR systems.
• Experience handling employee relations and performance management.
• Knowledge of foaling management and neonatal care.

Salary: $61,360-$92,040

• In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges.

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