Assistant Dairy & Commodity Operations Manager
About The Position
As part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) team, the Assistant Dairy & Commodity Operations Manager assists with dairy operations and manages inventory, storage and quality control of feed commodities. Reporting to the Assistant Director, this role provides critical operational support for Dairy and Commodity operations at the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex (MALC). The Assistant Dairy & Commodity Operations Manager is a dual-function role responsible for supporting daily dairy farm operations and managing the strategic sourcing and logistics of agricultural commodities. This position ensures optimal animal health and welfare, efficient milk production, and the timely procurement and delivery of feed, forage, and other essential inputs. The role requires close collaboration with farm staff, veterinarians, nutritionists, and suppliers to maintain high standards of productivity, sustainability, and cost-efficiency across the operations. The manager collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to promote educational excellence and foster a collaborative team environment across the MALC and the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, promoting effective communication, shared accountability, and alignment of operational goals to support integrated farm management.
Requirements
- High School diploma or GED
- 4 years of experience required
- Familiarity with livestock nutrition, commodity markets, and agricultural logistics.
- Proficiency in farm management and inventory software.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in animal science, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, or related field
- 3–5 years of experience in dairy farm operations and/or commodity management.
- Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
- Proficiency in farm management and inventory software.
Responsibilities
- Assist in overseeing daily dairy operations including milking, feeding, herd health, and facility and robotic dairy equipment maintenance.
- Monitor animal welfare and collaborate with veterinary and nutrition teams to ensure herd health.
- Supervise student employees and oversee training, and scheduling to promote a safe and productive work environment.
- Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and animal welfare regulations.
- Maintain accurate records of production, treatments, and operational metrics.
- Coordinate the ordering, receiving, inventory tracking, and utilization of feed commodities to meet operational and nutritional needs
- Maintains compliance with safety, biosecurity, and regulatory standards
- Monitor commodity markets and trends to inform purchasing decisions and manage risk.
- Maintain relationships with vendors and service providers.
- Ensure feed quality through testing, inspection, and adherence to nutritional standards.
- Work closely with livestock teams, nutritionists, and finance staff to align feed and procurement strategies with operational goals.
- Ensure adherence to all local, state, and federal regulations regarding animal welfare, food safety, and environmental standards
- Work closely with the Biosecurity Manager to develop and enforce biosecurity protocols for dairy operations.
- Train staff and students on biosecurity practices.
- Support academic programs through experiential learning and may assist with hands-on instruction.
- Coordinate and support research projects conducted within the dairy facility, including data collection, protocol adherence, and reporting.
- Promote a culture of biosecurity awareness and accountability.
- Contribute to innovation in dairy and biosecurity management practices.
Benefits
- Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
- Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
- State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
