Milk Procurement Manager

The Milk Procurement Manager will be responsible for developing a strong working relationship with our direct dairy patrons supplying milk to our manufacturing plants, especially in New York State, to ensure a high-quality milk supply and accurate components sampled, tested, and recorded.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Develop & execute plans to move direct & coop. milk around planned plant down days to keep milk inventory within targets.
• Foster and further develop existing relationships with Direct, and Cooperative Milk Suppliers to the plants owned by Lactalis.
• Travel to meet with and develop strong working relationships with co-op testing labs, milk supply managers, and dairy producers.
• Develop relationships with milk haulers and coordinate hauling with farms – working with haulers on down days (i.e. storms)
• Assist the assistant manager with CSR bench marking & finding ways to improve our Carbon Footprint.
• Assist the assistant manager with Maintaining compliance with the FARM status on direct producers including FARM ES & Cooperative suppliers for FARM.
• Assist the assistant manager with Cool Farm Tool evaluations done in coordination with our Corporate Milk Procurement Team in Europe.
• Report weight variance results to cooperatives, direct producers, haulers, and drivers including weight variances.
• Investigate causes for milk component variances; analyze, create reports and make recommendations to reduce, and complete trend analysis and physical observations in RSPC receiving bays and testing Labs.
• Share editing of milk slips in partnership with Milk Accounting, Corporate AP & Plant Controllers.
• Cross-train to provide support and coverage for responsibilities as assigned, especially for PTO coverage.
• Learn the process and demonstrate leadership ability to build the milk procurement annual budget file while working with others toward an on-time delivery with accurate numbers for each of the Lactalis plants within scope.
• Become proficient in balance and invoicing of farm milk and cream; produce invoice data for Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable when direct producer milk is sold to other plants.
• Provide support on other projects as needed to accomplish tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.
• Work with other departments to achieve weekly overall company objectives.
• Be the primary manager of the inbound milk supply to the plant in NY.
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, I-Pad, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise employees in the Milk Procurement Department including an occasional intern. The incumbent is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units following the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

  Education 

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, Animal Science or another comparable discipline.

Experience

• 5+ years’ experience in a manufacturing environment and/or within the dairy industry is highly desirable.

Specialized Knowledge / Skills and Abilities

• An understanding of all phases of the raw milk procurement functions supporting a major dairy/food organization or manufacturer producing a substantial amount and variety of dairy products.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills are required.
• Computer skills needed include Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Dairy.com, and DSI Milk Software