Director OF Category Management

About this Position
Oklahoma State University invites applications for the inaugural Director of the Beef Center of Excellence, a newly established virtual center dedicated to advancing cross-disciplinary research, extension, and engagement across the beef cattle industry. The Director will serve as the founding leader of this initiative, building the center from the ground up and positioning OSU as a national hub for beef cattle innovation and collaboration. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader with deep ties to the beef industry to shape a program that spans the full supply chain.

Primary Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Direction

Work with the Beef Center of Excellence advisory board, administration, faculty, and staff to develop overall vision and strategic planning for the Beef Center of Excellence

Develop and execute a long-range plan for center growth, programming, and impact

Represent the center internally across OSU colleges, OSU Extension, and experiment stations, and externally with industry, government, and academic partners

Stakeholder Engagement

Build and sustain relationships with producers, packers, feeders, breed associations, commodity groups, and other stakeholders throughout the beef supply chain

Serve as a liaison between the beef industry and OSU's research and extension communities

Coordinate and facilitate industry advisory groups, ensuring meaningful industry input into center priorities and programming, and work closely with the Beef Center of Excellence advisory board

Teaching, Research, and Extension Coordination

Identify and catalyze cross-disciplinary research opportunities that address critical needs in beef production, sustainability, food safety, economics, and market development

Collaborate with faculty across OSU Agriculture to develop coordinated research and extension programming

Support the translation of research findings into practical tools, resources, and recommendations for industry audiences through OSU Extension

Maintain a cohesive collections of resources that can be deployed to fund impactful and cutting-edge research and outreach

Develop innovative programs and curriculum to train students to be leaders in the beef industry

Fundraising & Development

Lead fundraising efforts for the center, including cultivating donor relationships, pursuing corporate partnerships, and identifying grant opportunities

Work closely with the OSU Foundation advancement staff to develop and execute a fundraising strategy aligned with center goals to include endowed chair positions and advisory board membership cultivation

Steward existing donors and industry partners to support long-term investment in the center

Communications & Outreach

In coordination with the office of communications and marketing in OSU Agriculture, develop a communications strategy that elevates the center's visibility and impact with both industry and academic audiences

Represent OSU and the Beef Center of Excellence at regional, national, and international beef industry events and conferences

About the Beef Center of Excellence
The Beef Center of Excellence is a virtual, cross-disciplinary center at Oklahoma State University designed to integrate expertise from across the university and the beef supply chain. The center's mission is to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry through coordinated research, extension, education, and industry engagement. Oklahoma State University is home to one of the nation's premier animal science programs and has a long tradition of partnership with Oklahoma's beef cattle industry. For more information, visit: https://agdivision.okstate.edu/animal-excellence

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's in animal science, agricultural business, agricultural communications, economics, range science, entomology or a related field (degree must be conferred on or before the agreed upon start date)

Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in the beef industry, agricultural research administration, extension, or a closely related field

Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, or industry relations

Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across academic, industry, and policy audiences

Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field

Experience in fundraising, development, or grant writing

Familiarity with agricultural research and extension programs

Existing relationships within the Oklahoma and national beef industry

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