Senior Manager - Dairy Supply

About the Job: 

The Senior Manager, Dairy Supply is responsible for leading third-party dairy procurement, balancing strategy, and external industry partnerships to ensure a reliable, cost-effective supply of milk, cream, and dairy ingredients across the network. This role serves as the primary point of contact for cooperatives, processors, brokers, and industry partners, while developing sourcing strategies that support operational requirements and business objectives.

The position partners closely with Supply Chain, Producer Relations, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Accounting, Sales, and Commercial teams to optimize supply, manage market risk, maximize commodity value, and strengthen strategic industry relationships. The role can be hybrid or remote with a preference to be based in Broomfield, CO.

Primary responsibilities:

• Lead procurement of third-party milk, cream, and dairy commodities to support manufacturing requirements and network supply needs.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for non-farm-direct milk supply, including cooperative, institutional, and market-based procurement channels.
• Manage external cream forecasting and procurement activities to ensure adequate supply and optimize costs.
• Oversee spot milk and cream purchasing and sales activities, balancing short-term operational requirements with financial objectives.
• Develop and execute balancing strategies to optimize the value of surplus milk, cream, and dairy commodities during periods of excess supply, plant maintenance, or network disruptions.
• Manage balancing budgets and monitor financial performance related to milk, cream, and commodity movements.
• Lead buying and selling activities for dairy commodities, including cream, condensed skim, NFDM, and other dairy ingredients as required.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with cooperatives, processors, powder plants, brokers, customers, and other industry stakeholders.
• Manage relationships and commercial activities associated with powder plants, dairy ingredient sales, and external processing partners.
• Identify and execute opportunities to improve supply reliability, reduce costs, and enhance network flexibility through strategic sourcing and partnership development.
• Monitor dairy market conditions, supply trends, pricing dynamics, and industry developments to support procurement and commercial decision-making.
• Track, analyze, and optimize excess milk and cream costs while maximizing value recovery opportunities.
• Provide timely reporting, forecasts, and market insights to support operational and strategic business decisions.
• Support mid- and long-term dairy supply strategy development, including capacity planning, sourcing alternatives, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Lead negotiations with external suppliers, customers, and industry partners to secure favorable commercial outcomes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Producer Relations, Manufacturing, Quality, Accounting, Finance, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment and execution of business objectives.
• Travel up to 25% or as needed

About You: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Agriculture, Engineering, Economics, Statistics, or a related field.
• 7 years of experience in dairy procurement, milk sourcing, dairy ingredient trading, supply chain, commodity management, or related food industry roles.
• Strong understanding of dairy markets, milk procurement, cream balancing, commodity pricing, and dairy industry dynamics.
• Experience managing supplier, customer, cooperative, broker, and industry partner relationships.
• Demonstrated success in commercial negotiations, contract management, and strategic sourcing.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex market and operational scenarios.
• Proven ability to develop and execute supply, balancing, and risk management strategies.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Dairy industry experience strongly preferred.