Senior Farm Quality Compliance Specialist

Senior Farm Quality Compliance Specialist

Location – Outside
This is an outside role, which means that you will work at a distance within the assigned territory, which includes eastern Indiana, western Ohio, and the broader Mideast region. Expected travel is up to 25%, which includes travel throughout the territory as well as trips to our Wisconsin offices approximately four times per year.

Employee Type – Salaried

Bonus – This position is eligible for a 3% annual incentive bonus based on cooperative and individual performance.

Safety Sensitive – Yes

Summary of Role

The Senior Farm Quality Compliance Specialist plays a key role in supporting member-owner success by ensuring milk quality excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across CROPP Cooperative farms. This position partners closely with internal teams, member-owners, and external stakeholders to safeguard product integrity and strengthen overall farm performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Compliance and Regulatory Oversight - 45% of the time

• Ensure member-owner compliance with CROPP Cooperative quality policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards, including IMS survey compliance, FDA ratings, and on-farm inspections.
• Partner with state and federal agencies to maintain compliance with applicable organic and dairy regulations.
• Oversee milk sampling processes and coordinate with laboratories and haulers to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in testing.
• Communicate farm status updates, including suspensions, and maintain strong working relationships with milk handlers and field staff.

Milk Quality Performance and Technical Support - 45% of the time

• Monitor, analyze, and interpret milk quality data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and recommend corrective actions that improve regional performance and protect member-owner pay price.
• Conduct on-farm assessments to troubleshoot milk quality concerns, perform root cause analysis, and implement and track corrective action plans.
• Serve as subject matter expert in milking systems, Grade A requirements, and PMO regulations providing technical guidance and expertise.
• Provide respectful coaching and training to member-owners to strengthen quality practices and support long-term farm sustainability.
• Collaborate with Regional Pool Managers, internal teams, milk handlers, and industry partners to drive continuous improvement in milk quality.

Program Management and Continuous Improvement - 10% of the time

• Support member-based programs such as the Work Improvement Plan (WIP) and present complex cases and recommendations to leadership.
• Contribute to KPI development, tracking, and continuous improvement to support on-farm quality objectives.
• Monitor departmental budget activities.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in development of quality policies and procedures.
• Provide backup support for Regional Pool Managers and other team members as needed.
• Represent CROPP at industry events and producer meetings.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, reporting, and recordkeeping aligned with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and recommend innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support onboarding and mentoring of new team members or field staff.
• Respond to urgent or escalated quality issues, including after-hours support when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Minimum five years’ experience working with dairy farmers on the technical quality of raw milk.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science, Agriculture, or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of milking equipment function and design, with experience across a variety of milking systems.
• Knowledge of a broad range of milk quality attributes, with hands-on experience troubleshooting on farm issues such as elevated bacteria counts, somatic cell counts, and other quality related concerns.
• Knowledge of Grade A regulations and PMO requirements.
• Knowledge of organic production systems and certification standards.
• Strong analytical, communication, coaching, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel approximately 25% and work evenings/weekends as needed.

Base salary wage range – $67,516.80 per year - $81,827.20 per year
This salary wage range is exclusive of fringe benefits. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary bonuses. If you are hired at CROPP, your final base salary wage compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience. Additionally, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that entry-level candidates to this role should expect to be at the lower end of the salary wage range and hiring at the maximum of the salary wage range is not typical.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Insurance – Choice of plans for you and your family, including some that can be paired with an HSA (which CROPP contributes to on your behalf)
• Supplemental insurances: we offer accidental insurance, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Time Off – 136 hours in the 1st year of employment prorated by start date. Plus 9 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday to use at will.
• 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave – For all gendered partners in childbirth or adoption.
• Vision & Dental Insurance – Free annual eye exam, discounts on glasses/contacts, flexible dental network, adult ortho.
• 401k – We match 100% up to the first 3% of an employee’s contribution, and then 50% for 3.1%-5.0% of employee contributions.
• Free services at five local Neighborhood Family Clinics.
• Tuition Reimbursement – Up to $1,500 per year to support continuing higher education.
• Life Insurance - $50,000 policy funded by CROPP for each employee. Supplemental voluntary coverage available for employees, spouses, and children.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D Insurance – $50,000 of life insurance coverage of $50,000 of AD&D coverage funded by CROPP for each employee.
• Employee Assistance Program – Free and Confidential for employees, spouses, and dependents.
• Free biometric screenings (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure) and health coaching.
• Financial advisors and seminars
• Annual $360 Lifestyle Spending Account
• Flexible Scheduling