Operations Manager

Dairy Management•Chicago, IL

7d•Remote

About The Position

Newtrient LLC's mission is to reduce the environmental footprint of U.S. dairy and make it economically viable to do so. We work with farmers, cooperatives, and companies within the dairy supply chain to accelerate environmental practices, technologies, and markets to help all farms voluntarily adopt climate-smart practices. The Operations Manager will play a crucial role in advancing Newtrient’s customer-driven conservation projects through evaluating dairy farms and recommending a range of solutions that drive on-farm efficiencies, reduce the environmental footprint, enhance resiliency and improve economic viability. The role will also serve as a subject matter expert on dairy farm practices and technologies to a wide range of stakeholders including dairy farmers, cooperatives, processors, technology providers and other industry stakeholders. The position includes travel of 25-50%, with limited extended travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or 10 years of relevant experience preferably in agriculture or related field
Project management experience with a proven ability to deliver on time and on budget
Strong technical acumen related to dairy production and manure management
Highly skilled in translating science in a way that is actionable for farmers, policymakers, technology vendors and supply chain companies
Experience in conducting environmental assessments or research, preferably in the dairy or agricultural sector
Understanding of project budgeting, costing and performance metrics reporting
Knowledge of greenhouse gas emissions, climate-smart practices, and sustainable agriculture
Familiarity with policies related to agriculture/dairy and environmental issues
Ability to work independently and travel to farms as needed
Able to handle conflicting priorities in a multi-task environment
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in addition to presentation skills
Able to speak effectively to a wide variety of audiences, specifically the agriculture community
Demonstrated strong judgment, time management and problem-solving skills
Strong work ethic and integrity; a good representative of farmer values
Comfortable navigating in an entrepreneurial/ambiguous environment
U.S.-based and authorized to work for any U.S. employer without current or future visa sponsorship

Responsibilities

Conduct farm assessments to evaluate baseline conditions and to develop farm-specific plans with economically viable recommendations for practices and technologies that reduce a farms environmental footprint.
Provide support for industry resources on environmental practices and technologies including managing initiatives related to evaluating technologies, practices, manure additives, and feed additives for Newtrient's Solution Catalog.
Serve as a subject matter expert on dairy farm practices and technologies through direct direction consultation with farms interested in adopting practices and technologies as well as dairy companies and trade associations engaged in the processing, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of dairy products.
Provide technical expertise on existing and emerging policies affecting dairy farms through conversations with Newtrient members, the dairy community, vendors, and industry stakeholders.
Participate in industry groups, such as the American Biogas Council, to stay abreast of industry developments and to insure a voice for the dairy industry.