The Sunnyside, WA Darigold is hiring an Area Field Manager. The Area Field Manager works directly with the producer–owners of the cooperative to ensure they receive information and support in order to supply the plants and customers with a consistent, high-quality stream of raw milk. The person in this position will also work with state and federal regulatory personnel and agencies, industry associations, Board Directors, other NDA staff, Darigold quality control and laboratory groups, supply chain/hauling, and other company representatives. They will facilitate the information flow between and among the producer–owners and the organization in regard to billing, hauling, cooperative/company initiatives, milk sampling, equity, changes/improvements to farm facilities and regulatory issues. This position will require travel around Western Washington.

What You Will Do

• Communicates field and farm issues to the co-op and company
• Communicates cooperative and company initiatives to the members
• Monitors, communicates, and assists with correction of quality issues as needed
• Assist with preventing and resolving issues at or affecting members and their farms resulting from quality, hauling or plant disruptions or delays
• Assists with resolution of financial, contractual, and general information issues
• Maintains availability to directly support resolution of time sensitive issues such as: warm milk on the farm, antibiotic contamination, farm degrades, weather issues, and other crisis management concerns, etc.
• Assists in team activities to improve processes and resolve issues that negatively impact member farms: sample movement, variability in results, hauling and milk quality
• Producer education and/or implementation of new policies or programs
• Schedules and coordinates local producer meetings

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of the dairy industry and dairy producers including the diversity of operational goals, variable skill sets, and personalities
• History of successful development of long – term interpersonal relationships
• Demonstrated flexibility in scheduling and time management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to establish trust, maintain confidence, understand and influence behavior, negotiate acceptable solutions and influence outcomes through relationships
• Fluent Spanish preferred

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:

• Employer 401K contribution of up to 9%
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision benefits
• Employer paid life & disability coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 8 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Community giving through matching donations
• Access to great dairy products & participation in our employee butter purchase program
• Annual compensation range: $84,259-$126,389 (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)