Quality Assurance Auditor - Dairy Farms

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Select Milk is one of the nation’s largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with like-minded producers that have earned a reputation for innovation in animal welfare, environmental sustainability, technology, and overall business practices. Established in 1994, Select Milk markets and processes milk from member dairies in the Southwest and the upper Midwest. Headquartered in Dallas, the company represents over 116 family-owned dairies, 20 wholly owned subsidiaries, and 8 joint ventures with other major food/beverage producers.

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS:

Select Milk Producers (SMP) is looking to add a Quality Assurance Auditor for our Midwest dairy region. The Quality Assurance (QA) Auditor will work with the Production Practices team and dairy farm personnel to audit and monitor dairy farm operations and programs as they relate to animal care and welfare, animal safety, and regulatory issues. The selected candidate will work with dairy farm personnel to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the audit programs and will seek to establish and monitor key quality measures and locate improvement opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the other members of the Production Practices team, help initiate animal welfare and care programs as well as development and execution of programs in the areas of employee development, worker safety, environmental stewardship, sustainability, food safety and antibiotic stewardship for SMP member dairies.
• Conduct audits for the SMP dairies in the respective region, assessing the dairy’s animal welfare standards and providing a complete report and analysis of the audit findings.
• In partnership with the dairy producers, dairy managers, farm personnel, and the Production Practices team, implement changes to address the prioritized issues and train and educate farm personnel as needed.
• Operate as part of a high functioning cross disciplined team to elevate teammates and achieve objectives together.  This will include clearly communicating schedules and priorities, documenting visits, keeping accurate records, sharing findings and developing issues, as well as collaborating on innovative solutions for those issues.
• Monitor and report on the implementation of animal welfare standards and the status of all programs on the dairies and the enforcement of corrective action plans.
• Strive to ensure that animal welfare standards and guidelines reflect new research and technology, making recommendations for revision of existing or the development of new standards as needed.

• Lead by example, adapting to a continually evolving environment and helping others thrive in a results-oriented workplace; provide ongoing team building and development for dairy farm leader.

Essential experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in animal welfare, animal science or agriculture or related field or related area from four-year college or university; or two-year degree in the above with a minimum of 3 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Passion for animal care/welfare and the ability to provide objective audit analysis and reporting.
• Desired experience in and understanding of some or all of the following fields: agricultural animal health and welfare, agriculture industry, food supply chain, farm management, principles and practices associated with animal welfare including animal husbandry and/or agricultural or humane education.
• Auditing experience is desired but not required.
• Demonstrated theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in the animal welfare space and/or backgrounds or experience in the areas of employee development, worker safety, environmental stewardship, global sustainability, food safety and antibiotic stewardship is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; active listening skills.
• Bi-lingual skills (English/Spanish) highly desired.
• Ability to translate complex, technical ideas/matters into easily understandable terms for a lay person.
• Adept at building collaborative relationships and providing effective training and education to dairy farm personnel.
• Self-motivated individual with the ability to work proactively and independently to deliver results under tight timelines.
• Comfortable in animal and agricultural environments.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases for application with producers, customers, suppliers, and other auditors.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Ability to achieve certification as Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Evaluator.
• Ability to achieve Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) Certification.
• Other opportunities for growth and advancement based on developing job requirements and mutual interests that benefit you and Select Milk.

Physical demands and work environment:

• Exposure to barns/facilities and various age groups of cattle as well as working significant periods of time outdoors during all seasons.
• Each region - the Southwest and the Midwest - has one QA Auditor domiciled in each region.  There will be opportunity based on skillsets and need to cross over with other team members as well.
• Daily travel to one or more of the region’s dairies (mileage expense is provided).
• Must have reliable transportation to visit the dairies in the respective region.
• Must be physically capable of performing all aspects of dairy farm auditing role including standing for long periods of time.

Pay and Benefits:

• Competitive compensation commensurate with education and experience
• Excellent benefits package including a generous 401(k) match
• Continuing education benefits

If you are passionate about making a positive and lasting impact on the future of dairy farming, this is an opportunity to join an industry-leading team and help shape responsible dairy production practices across some of the nation's most innovative dairies.