Lead, NDA Environmental Stewardship and Policy

We’re excited to share we’re actively seeking a Lead, Northwest Dairy Association (NDA) Environmental Stewardship and Policy to effectively represent NDA's interest in the Environmental Stewardship (ES), Policy and Milk Quality space. This position leads our efforts in ensuring the highest standards of environmental stewardship and policy across our dairy farms. This position is responsible for implementing and overseeing the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Environmental Stewardship and policies to monitor and improve our practices. This position works collaboratively with the NDA team, closely related departments and the senior leadership team. Our team serves as the liaison between NDA and Darigold.

What You Will Do:

• Manage and lead the NDA and Darigold’s Environmental Stewardship efforts to help meet and exceed timelines on targets. Oversee completion of FARM ES assessments on farms as requested by farmer owners in a timely fashion. Update the FARM ES database and share aggregate data with staff to stimulate future product sales and opportunities. Work with Darigold partners to identify areas of need for farmer owners to enhance their business, conserve resources and reduce GHG emissions. Work with partners such as the Dairy Federations and Dairy Commissions to direct public policy relating to Environmental Stewardship toward the benefit of farmer owners. Assist in the representation of NDA at industry forums, working groups and initiatives locally, regionally and nationally to raise awareness of our commitments to sustainability. Maintain certification in FARM Environmental Stewardship program.
• Support the timeline, research and execution of Environmental Stewardship programs that operate within the co-op, such as Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), Materiality and Double Materiality, and Sustainable Dairy Platform (SDP/SAI). Work across the co-op to collect scope 1 and 2 data, as well as within the NDA team and dairies to collect scope 3 data. Provide evidence that allows the co-op to make informed decisions on sustainability programs and policies. Provide data as needed to co-co customers and business partners.
• Support the implementation of the FARM Animal Care Program across NDA farms, ensuring adherence to program standards and protocols. Support the management of the FARM program database to keep us in good standing across all platforms as needed. Upload data as needed by staff to provide aggregate information used for customer communication. Work with Darigold partners to fill out surveys with requirements for animal welfare data. Work with NDA staff and local stakeholders, including veterinarians, to keep them informed of program updates and progress.
• Support the Director of Farm Practices regarding animal welfare complaints in a timely and effective manner including follow up and report writing for the NDA Quality Committee. Effectively utilize our veterinarian on retainer as needed for animal welfare allegations. Report to the NDA quality committee at board meetings as needed.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Quality Committee working closely with the Committee Chairman and members of the committee. The liaison role involves collaboration with the Chairman on meeting agendas, the general business of the committee and providing management and oversight of the NDA Milk Quality Policy.
• Monitor overall cooperative milk quality and work closely with the Quality Assurance team, corporate lab, accounting and NDA team in developing and administering the NDA Quality Program, resolving issues, performing analysis and communicating program changes.
• Serve as a liaison with state and federal regulators. Work to promote NDA/Darigold positions on regulatory issues.
• Work with NDA Field Staff to provide training, tools and communication about FARM ES and AC requirements or timelines. Work with NDA Field Staff to follow up on ES data collection and AC corrective actions to remain in good standing within the FARM program to meet or exceed timelines for ES assessments.
• Contribute to the evaluation and development of cooperative policies and guidelines related to milk quality, food safety and sustainability. Serve as a liaison with state and federal regulators. Work to promote NDA/Darigold positions on regulatory issues.
• Perform analysis and provide recommendations as needed surrounding NDA programs, policies and services as requested by NDA, the Board of Directors, the Senior Leadership Team or other departments such as Supply Chain.
• Identify, create and communicate new NDA programs, policies and services or make changes to existing NDA programs and services.
• Support the needs of the farmer owners through working with the NDA Field Staff while acting as a liaison between the Field Staff and Corporate Office.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Dairy Science, Environmental Science or other related field OR a minimum of 8 years of applicable experience in lieu of education.
• 3 years of experience and familiarity with FARM program pillars and have certification in appropriate pillars such as Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship, Workforce Development and Biosecurity are a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience within the dairy industry required.
• Self-starter who executes on schedule while setting high, yet realistic, standards of performance and achieving excellence in deliverable outcomes.
• Flexibility in scheduling and time management and able to adapt and adjust to multiple demands and changes in the workplace.
• Acts independently in a self-confident, forward-thinking manner to streamline workflow and complex business processes.
• Capable of recognizing problems, developing pertinent facts, formulating feasible solutions and recommending appropriate conclusions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish trust, maintain confidence and build and nurture strong, high value relationships which support the ability to partner and collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Possesses a sharp memory, recall and is detail oriented.
• Possesses sound judgment and problem resolution skills in the execution of daily duties.
• Ability to effectively carry out verbal and/or written instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Possesses fundamental mathematical skills.
• Ability to mentor others in team on core job functions.
• Seen as a subject matter expert in their area of work.

Benefits of Working at Darigold:

We understand that as an employee, benefits that support you and your family in and out of work are important. We’re proud to offer eligible positions a competitive total rewards package that includes:

• 401k competitive employer contribution
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits
• Employer paid life & disability coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 8 weeks paid parental leave.
• Education assistance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible working arrangement where applies (up to 2 days/week after initial 90 days and approval by hiring manager and HR)
• Access to great dairy products & participation in our employee butter purchase program
• Compensation range: $81,517 - $122,275 (individual wage based on previous experience, knowledge and skills)

Our Commitment to Diversity:

Achieving our vision to Lead Dairy Forward requires cultivating and supporting a team with varying backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to providing a workplace based on mutual respect where all employees feel included and can bring their best and authentic selves to work every day. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, creed, religion, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. As a condition of employment applicants offered a role will be required to successfully pass our pre-employment background screen, receive a negative drug screen result & confirm eligibility to work in the U.S. We participate in E-Verify - please follow the links for details, English / Spanish & view our Right to Work Statement, English / Spanish.

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)