Farm Relations & Development Manager (Organic Dairy)

Based on the Northern California “Redwood” Coast (with up to 50% travel by car)

Are you passionate about the health and expansion of the dairy farming ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest? Rumiano Cheese is looking for a passionate and collaborative Farm Relations & Development Manager with dairy farming operations experience and a business mindset. The Farm Relations & Development Manager will play a vital role in increasing the supply of high-quality milk by building and strengthening relationships with new and existing dairy farming partners. The candidate will serve as a trusted advisor, providing support and resources to current farmer partners to optimize milk production, while developing new relationships throughout the region with a primary focus on Northern California and Oregon. This position is critical to the company’s aggressive organic growth plan, continuing to produce the healthiest organic cheese, sauce and butter in California.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaboration with partner farms: Build strong relationships with new and existing dairy farmers to support successful farming practices and strategies. Consistent and frequent visits to partner farms.
• Business development: Support innovation and herd expansion while identifying and recruiting new dairy farms.
• Support for best farming practices, including animal nutrition, health, and welfare, to optimize milk yield. Assist with challenges such as feed quality, veterinary care, and farm management. Identify and share opportunities for farmers to access resources such as financial support, technology, and innovative tools to improve productivity.
• Business planning, financial management and reporting: Utilize financial techniques to support the organic growth plan of the company. Prepare reports on milk supply trends, farmer engagement, and potential risks to the supply chain. Analyze milk supply levels and develop strategies to increase production in alignment with company goals.
• Sustainability: Promote sustainable and ethical organic agriculture and support farming practices aligned with environmental and nutritional standards. Collaborate with farmers to maintain sustainable practices, improve efficiency, and meet environmental goals.
• Compliance: work with farmers to ensure compliance with regulatory and company requirements. Provide advisory help with organic inspections and certifications.
• Training and development: Stay updated with industry trends and innovations. Share key learnings. truly understand what is going on with the system.
• Act as a liaison between the company, farmers and other key organizations, communicating feedback, forecasts, and mutual goals.

Key Qualifications:

• Education: Degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Dairy Science, Business Administration, or related. Additional education, training and/or certifications a plus.
• 5+ Years’ Experience: Strong understanding of dairy farming operations and milk production processes. Prior experience in farm management, particularly in the dairy industry, is a plus.
• Business mindset: demonstrated ability to achieve business goals; understanding of financial management, reporting and analysis. Experience in sales, business development or similar, is a plus.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and influence skills to build relationships with partner farmers and all key stakeholders.
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to provide practical solutions to farming challenges.
• Knowledge and passion for innovative farming and agricultural sustainability practices, ideally in dairy.

• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development, as evidenced by participation in industry conferences and training and certification programs.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to farms as needed.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in the dairy industry.

About Rumiano Cheese Company
(https://rumianocheese.com)

As the leading organic retail cheese, sauce and butter brand in the Western US, Rumiano Cheese Company is dedicated to the manufacture, packaging and distribution of the highest quality cheese, butter and value-added products. We are a vertically integrated company that sources from 23 incredible family farms in Northern California. We also partner with cheese makers on the West Coast and Europe that share our values. From our Board at Home initiative that focuses on promoting regional artisanal products to our new initiatives with fellow diary and plant-based cheese companies, our work in collaboration with other farmers, cheesemakers, and artisans has only accelerated. Rumiano Cheese Company’s long-lasting success is due to a highly talented team. State of the art facilities in Crescent City and Willows provide career advancement opportunities for people to stay and grow here.

Rumiano Cheese has remained a leader in animal and environmental welfare certifications and innovator of product availability for premium Rumiano branded dairy products and wholesale ingredients for the customers we serve. Rumiano Cheese, together with Organic Family Farms located on California's Redwood Coast, is committed to the health of the planet and future generations. The North Coast of California is home to the country's premier ecological region allowing for a grass-fed, pasture-based milk shed where Rumiano partners with multi-generational family dairy operations. long