Area Manager

As employees of a farmer-owned cooperative, we come to work every day trying to honor the tireless effort and care these farming families put in every day, all day, 365 days a year. Our farmer-owners tend to think in generations, with some of our farms being run by the same families for over a century. We carry this approach into our business, knowing that each and every one of us makes a difference in allowing these generational traditions to continue, taking pride in knowing that we nourish our friends, neighbors, nation, and even the world with healthy and delicious dairy products. Our products include milk, flavored milk, yogurt, dip, sour cream, cottage cheese, and ice cream mix marketed under the Upstate Farms, Bison, Milk for Life, and Intense Milk brands.

Overview:

An area manager is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with member farms as well as implementing UNC Dairy programs in regard to Milk Quality, Animal Care, Sustainability and Worker Care.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in animal science, dairy science or other related fields of study with a minimum of 2 years of dairy farm industry experience required; minimum 6 years of dairy industry experience, in lieu of a degree, may be considered
• Basic understanding of cattle care, handling, dairy industry, milk quality and processing.
• FARM Program Animal Care Evaluator certification (preferred)
• Experience with agriculture environmental stewardship (FARM Program ES, COOL farm tool, courses, education, training, etc.)
• Understanding of best farm practices in relation to animal well-being, crop practices, functionality of the dairy
• Certified Milk Inspector License (preferred)

Qualifications/Skills and Abilities:

• Current and valid NYS Driver's License required
• Proficient in software programs (Microsoft word, PowerPoint, excel, etc.)
• Timely and clear communication
• Work well with other team members
• Ability to travel as job and tasks require
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills - ability to identify and resolve issues effectively
• Adaptability- ability to adjust to changing situations
• Time management - ability to organize and manage workload and time effectively
• Dependability - reliable and trustworthy to member farms and other team members
• Good work ethic, driven individual
• Confidentiality - able to maintain confidentiality of farms, cooperative items, etc.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

Key Responsibilities:

• Animal Care Evaluations
  • Conduct FARM Version 5.0 Evaluations annually on member farms
  • Update protocols
  • Following up with farms for paperwork and training
  • Identifying and working with farms on areas of improvement
  • Work with local veterinarians to improve various areas on farms
  • Assist and attend third party verifications
  • Meet annual training requirements
• Environmental Stewardship

• Assist farms in completing evaluations for COOL and FARM ES Version 3.0
• Entering data for farms into COOL and FARM ES V3.0
• Meeting with producers as follow up
• Farms have been asked to submit information annually by April 1st

• Worker Care
• New part of our premium program
• Ask FARM WFD evaluation questions on farms with employees
• Evaluate facilities for proper care of employees
• Regulatory Work
• Certified Milk Inspector with New York State Ag and Markets
• Will need to take exam and do practical, CMI school this summer in Ithaca (2-3 days)
• Assist farms in maintaining milk quality standards (bacteria, SCC, milking equipment cleanliness, milkhouse, etc.)
• Position Details
• We are based out of the Batavia office
• Typical week is 50-75% on farms and rest in office
• Staff meetings at minimum monthly
• Field team consists of 4 field reps that manage either all aspects mentioned above or just do regulatory
• Field team is divided into areas that they cover for regulatory, but we try to have cross over for both regulatory and FARM aspects to get exposure
• Frequently we tag team FARM evaluations and regulatory inspections depending on each person's schedule
• Participate in membership and corporate meetings either in Batavia or Lancaster office
• Looking for a qualified individual who can connect with producers well and communicates in a timely fashion
• Travel (overnight stays) are minimal 2-4 times a year for a couple days specifically in North Country and Vermont

Pay: $71,000 to $100,400 USD per year*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position's qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)