Manager - Producer Relations

At Hilmar Cheese Company we improve lives around the world through wholesome dairy products. Since our founding in 1984, Hilmar Cheese Company has been committed to innovation and sustainability. Our state-of-the art production facilities convert an abundance of locally sourced high-quality milk into a variety of nutritious cheeses, whey protein and lactose. The Cheese and Ingredients that we produce create a wide variety of retail and food service products from sliced and shredded cheeses, to protein supplements and infant formula. We are a trusted partner to premier food and beverage brands in more than fifty countries helping bring their vision into reality.

Throughout our decades of success and growth we have remained committed to our mission and values and these principles unite our people and guide all that we do.

A Brief Summary:  

The Dairy Relations Manager is responsible for leading the Producer Relations group in achieving its goals of procuring the highest quality milk available; procuring the highest value milk available; being the milk buyer of choice in our respective markets; and supplying plants with milk components needed for cheese production. 

Responsibilities 

• Overseeing milk quality programs that both enforce quality standards and incentivize improvement. 
• Developing and maintaining producer programs designed to optimize producer and company value creation and retention. This includes environmental stewardship, animal husbandry practices, and bio-security and food safety programs. 
• Integral participation in the retention of the company’s producers as well as participation in the recruitment of new producers and any subsequent assimilation requirements upon starting with HCC when necessary. 
• Develop and maintain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with milk producers. 
• Assist in the coordination of milk hauling and participate in ongoing communications with milk haulers. 
• When thinking of this role:  

What You Will Need  

• Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Ag Economics/Ag Business, Business, or related field and 7 years of related experience or Master’s degree and 3 year of related experience 
• Ability to understand and effectively communicate risk management program to producers. 
• Experience developing strong internal and external business relationships across departments 
• Experience in an analytical role supporting finance or supply chain functions 
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze industry dynamics, suppliers, marketplace trends, and proactively identify new technologies and solutions and act/plan accordingly 

What Will Put You Ahead  

• Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Ag Economics/Ag Business, Business, or related and 10 years of related experience or Master’s degree and 5 year of related experience 
• valid Sampler and Weigher license with the California Department of Food and Agriculture 
• Dairy or manufacturing experience 
• Knowledge of OSHA and Environmental regulations 

Physical Demands & Work Environment 
The role has periods of time when the work environment is sedentary and conducted in an office environment balanced with frequent occasions that require prolonged walking or standing, lifting/ carrying/handling moderate weight objects on a regular basis.   Is required to wear PPE and have a regular presence in manufacturing and warehouse environments in both temperature controlled and uncontrolled locations. Must frequently interact with people verbally.  Specific details of the essential functions of the position is available in the Job Safety Analysis, made available on request. 

Safety and Food Safety is a company wide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacturing and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products and expected safe behavior in our work environment. 

Food safety is a companywide responsibility and each employee must know their role in the manufacture and distribution of safe, wholesome, and high quality products.

This description is a general statement and does not include other duties as assigned

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/EEO. We participate in E-Verify.

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4C:Salary Range: USD (99657.0 - 149486.0) ANN