Job Description:
Key responsibilities for this position include:
- Develop & execute plans to manage milk inventory within targets, including scheduling milk movement around planned plant down days.
- Foster and further develop existing relationships with Direct and Cooperative Milk Suppliers for Lactalis plants.
- Travel to establish and maintain strong working relationships with co-op testing labs, milk supply managers, and dairy producers.
- Develop relationships with milk haulers and coordinate hauling with farms, including managing logistics on down days (e.g., storms).
- Manage milk procurement budgeting, including tracking and maintaining a large budget as milk is the company's largest cost.
- Ensure timely milk deliveries and assess risks associated with inventory levels to prevent shortages or surpluses.
- Manage payment processes for milk producers, oversee programs for farmers, and engage with prospective farms for partnership opportunities.
- Handle the timing of deliveries, logistics, pricing, and management of milk hauling responsibilities.
- Report weight variance results to cooperatives, direct producers, haulers, and drivers.
- Investigate causes for milk component variances, analyze trends, and make recommendations to reduce variances; complete physical observations in RSPC receiving bays and testing labs.
- Share editing of milk slips in partnership with Milk Accounting, Corporate AP, and Plant Controllers.
- Cross-train to provide support and coverage for responsibilities as assigned, especially for PTO coverage.
- Demonstrate leadership ability in managing the milk procurement annual budget file, ensuring accurate numbers for each Lactalis plant.
- Become proficient in balancing and invoicing 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.
- Serve as the primary manager of the inbound milk supply to the plant.
- 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, iPad, and/or allowance(s) may be provided.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Education
- Preferred Bachelor's degree. Major in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, Animal Science, Business Management, or Accounting are strongly preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of 6+ years' experience in a manufacturing environment and/or within the dairy industry is highly desirable.
- Must have previous procurement experience. Dairy/Milk is preferred, however, food ingredient procurement is acceptable.
Specialized Knowledge
- 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.
- Managing budgets.
Skills/Abilities
- Excellent presentation and communication skills are required.
- Computer skills needed include Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Dairy.com, and DSI Milk Software.
- Strong MS Excel and spreadsheet skills required.
Candidate must be willing to relocate to Buffalo, NY