Working Ranch Manager
Storybook Ranch (Private)
Details
Application Deadline:
08/01/2025
Published:
06/05/2025
Starting Date:
after 6/9/2025
Hours per Week:
at least 50
Salary:
starting at $60,000 per year
Education Required:
Some Undergraduate
Experience Required:
at least 5 years
Location:
Winona, Texas
Description
Position Title: Working Ranch Manager
Start Date: Immediate
Reports to: Property Owners
Location: Winona, Texas
About Storybook Ranch:
Storybook Ranch is a growing equestrian ranch located in the scenic heart of Northeast Texas. With a vision to become a premier destination for horse enthusiasts, our future combines high-quality equine care, riding facilities, and a beautiful natural landscape with active timber and hay operations. We are seeking a hands-on, experienced Working Ranch Manager to lead daily operations, manage livestock and land, and support the development of a best-in-class equestrian facility.
Position Highlights:
This is not just a management role - it's an opportunity to help shape a legacy. The ideal candidate is comfortable managing horses and working closely with owners to develop a guest-ready facility, while also maintaining ranch infrastructure, pasture and hay fields, and timberlands. You'll be involved in everything from animal care and irrigation to equipment maintenance and long-term planning.
Please note: Housing will be offered after a minimum probationary period has been met.
Essential Duties:
- This is a working ranch manager position. You will be required to lead in a management position and most importantly work side-by-side with working ranch hands.
- Leadership and hands on, proactive problem solving.
- Complete oversight of ranch, including properly maintaining grounds, buildings, equipment, and animals.
- Daily oversight and care of horses, including feeding, turnout, wellness monitoring, and coordination with vets / farriers.
- Responsible for all ground maintenance including residences, landscape, hardscape, irrigation, wells, buildings, barns, stables, chicken coop, riding arenas, trails, roads, gates, and fences.
- Schedule, manage and oversee all contractors. Contact and screen new contractors as needed. Obtain multiple bids and track expenses.
- Working knowledge of all household systems and ability to repair as needed. When necessary, schedule, supervise and maintain upkeep of all maintenance schedules for household contractors including HVAC, electrical work, plumbing, septic, wells, water system, etc.
- Work with outside vendors to maintain overall health of two onsite lakes.
- Operate and maintain heavy equipment (tractor, forklift, Verminator, mower, weed eater, chainsaw, sprayer, skid steer / loader, grabber, bush hog, etc.).
- Oversee and maintain regular maintenance schedules for multiple UTVs and ranch truck.
- Solid knowledge of hay and timber operations.
- Supervise hay production, storage and load pickups.
- Manage forested areas for sustainability, harvest and conservation goals.
- Ability to work through unpredictable and various weather conditions.
- Office / Computer skills
- Microsoft Office (MS Word and MS Outlook primarily)
- Generate and respond to email correspondence.
- Prepare realistic weekly plans and report on daily activity on a regular basis to owners.
- Limited HR and payroll.
- Limited electronic and paper filing (keeping yourself and the position organized).
- Assist with additional activities as needed.
Qualifications:
- Experience in general ranch work equipment / machinery and maintenance.
- Management experience required (minimum five years).
- General office experience required. Ability to perform light computer work to prepare daily reports and email correspondence, etc.
- General landscaping or groundskeeper experience.
- Must possess basic knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions involved with grounds keeping, working on a ranch and landscaping.
- General livestock knowledge (especially equine, chickens, and cattle) is helpful.
- Dependable, punctual, good character, sound decision making skills, attention to detail and self-motivated.
- Ability to communicate well with others, take and give directions effectively and ability to deal with conflicts and meet deadlines.
- Must be in good health.
- Clean driving record.
- US Citizen / legal to work in US.
Contact
Kelly McAnally
k_mcanally@yahoo.com (preferred contact method)