SVP Environmental Research & Impact

People. Planet. Community.

Dairy’s journey starts on the farm, and the road we travel demonstrates our unwavering commitment to sustainable nutrition, as our farmers provide lasting and meaningful nourishment to people, the planet and our communities, both urban and rural.

ABOUT DAIRY MANAGEMENT INC.

Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is funded by America’s 31,000+ dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers. Created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association, and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. DMI works with state and regional promotion organizations to implement these programs across the country.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The SVP Environmental Research & Impact role leads strategy and oversight of environmental science and research program. Provides strategic counsel on environmental priorities and strategy for the Global Sustainable Nutrition Affairs & Research (GSNAR), and Innovation Center’s Environmental Stewardship Committee. Provides technical expertise and interpretation of science to Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), National Dairy Council (NDC), the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, and close collaborators (i.e. U.S. Dairy Export Council, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and Newtrient LLC) on environmental and sustainable food systems research. Integrates within the GSNAR team members and appropriate Innovation Center committees. Serves as an internal and external resource on environmental sustainability reporting and food systems science issues.

This position requires an executive/scientific professional who: (1) can be a strong external communicator and translator of the environmental science on behalf of U.S. Dairy Farmers; and (2) has a desire and commitment to lead and develop a team of scientists.

This individual will be a self-starter who can lead and inspire a team to develop and execute a comprehensive research plan to help the industry achieve its 2050 environmental stewardship goals. Research priorities include dairy farm greenhouse gas footprint, water use and water quality, and measurement. The role also will establish and cultivate key environmental research partnerships and be responsible for driving attention and focus to environmental science, technology, and data as means to elevate Dairy’s position as a key player in a global, sustainable food system.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Oversees the execution of the environmental research program that supports business imperatives and creates value for the U.S. dairy industry.
• Collaborates with industry, government, and NGOs to facilitate and develop research that enables environmental sustainability reporting on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry nationally.
• Strategically identifying, establishing, and managing relationships with universities and other partners to drive best practices in environmental science, technology, and data to validate the effectiveness of the Dairy industry’s environmental efforts.
• Directing environmental science research and assisting in the professional development of the research team members.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong technical background in environmental science area/sustainability
• Ability to manage and inspire a technical team of researchers
• Development of environmental research strategy
• Solid technical skills including research design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of environmental research.
• Strong proficiency with quantitative and technical analysis and/or modeling
• Excellent critical thinking skills and reasoning abilities; ability and tendency to question and evaluate methods, findings, and conclusions, including one’s own
• The ability to clearly communicate research and analysis, orally and in writing, to a wide range of audiences
• Thorough, disciplined, and well-documented research techniques
• Collegiality and the ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external colleagues
• Personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and the ability to manage time, priorities, and resources effectively
• A passion for interdisciplinary, objective research and analysis

Education and Experience: 

• PhD in environmental studies/sciences, economics, environmental/chemical engineering, agriculture or related field
• Five to ten years’ experience in the analytics of environmental & food systems datasets, development and management of environmental research or a strong academic background with a proven track record in environmental research and/or food systems analytics
• 5+ years’ proven work experience managing a team of three or more people

Note: The business will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

BENEFITS

We know that in order to meet our goal of growing dairy demand, we need the best people. We offer competitive compensation and generous benefits to help our employees balance their work and personal lives.

Our comprehensive health and welfare plans offer medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability and flexible spending accounts (health care, dependent care, transit and parking). Our 401k provides up to a 10% match and includes a Roth account. DMI reserves the right to change or end its benefits plans or programs at any time.

Dairy Management Inc.™ is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to the principles of diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Note: We regret it is not possible to communicate with candidates except those who most closely match our requirements. Thank you.