Senior Manager of the Dairy Program

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Manager of the Dairy Program

About Wolfe's Neck Center

Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment (WNC) is a fast-growing nonprofit organization based on a campus of over 600 acres of coastal farmland in Freeport, Maine. Our work is dedicated to creating a world where agriculture and food systems support farmer viability, thriving ecosystems, and vibrant communities. Through regenerative farming demonstration and training, innovative research, and collaborations, Wolfe's Neck Center works to advance agriculture - on our own farm, regionally, and nationally - to accelerate holistic change in food systems and mitigate the effects of a changing climate. In 2015, Wolfe's Neck Center established its organic dairy program, which is part of the direct farm supply for Stonyfield Organic and serves as a testing ground for new management technologies and techniques, while also training the next generation of farmers in rotational grazing and regenerative and organic agricultural systems. Wolfe's Neck Center also operates 3 acres of fruit and vegetable production, as well as several integrated small livestock systems. WNC's Dairy Program is part of the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA), an accredited National Apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Farmer Training & Partnerships and participating in WNC's Program Leadership Team, the Senior Manager of the Dairy Program is responsible for the overall management of Wolfe's Neck Center's organic dairy and cattle operations, ensuring herd health, milk quality, pasture productivity, and farm viability. The position also serves as the lead mentor and supervisor for the on-site Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program, helping train the next generation of grazing dairy farmers. This role will provide day-to-day leadership, coordination, and operational oversight for pasture-based dairy and livestock programs, working collaboratively with farm colleagues to advance the mission, vision, and strategic goals of Wolfe's Neck Center. This oversight helps to ensure efficient farm operations, strong team communication, high standards of animal care, and alignment with organizational priorities and regenerative agriculture practices.

• Oversee daily operations of the organic dairy and cattle enterprises
• Lead grazing and pasture management for the milking herd, including rotational grazing strategies
• Develop and implement grazing plans, feeding strategies, and animal nutrition programs in collaboration with nutritionists and farm staff
• Manage all aspects of herd health, including preventative care, disease monitoring, treatment protocols, and coordination with veterinarians
• Oversee breeding and reproductive programs, including heat detection, artificial insemination (AI), calving management, and replacement planning
• Ensure high standards of animal welfare, calf care, and nutrition
• Monitor milk production, milk quality, and herd performance to meet operational and production goals
• Supervise milking procedures and protocols to ensure excellence in hygiene, animal care, milk quality, and operational efficiency

Dairy Farm Operations & Resource Management

• Direct day-to-day farm operations to ensure safe, efficient, and productive dairy and livestock systems
• Manage feed inventory, feeding schedules, and ration implementation
• Oversee pasture, forage, and land management activities that support grazing-based dairy production
• Work with the Farming Operations team to ensure proper maintenance, sanitation, and functionality of the milking parlor, barns, fencing, farm infrastructure, and equipment
• Operate and oversee the safe use of farm machinery and equipment, including tractors, skid steers, and related implements
• Manage purchasing, inventory, and farm inputs to support operational needs
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and farm performance

Team Leadership, Training & Workforce Development

• Recruit, hire, supervise, schedule, and mentor dairy staff and up to four DGA apprentices
• Lead the on-site DGA program and create meaningful hands-on learning opportunities
• Develop technical skills, leadership capabilities, and career pathways for apprentices and farm staff
• Establish clear expectations, provide ongoing coaching, conduct performance evaluations, and foster accountability for apprentices
• Build and maintain a positive, collaborative, safety-focused, and high-performing workplace culture
• Collaborate with the Managing Director of Programs and the Farmer Training & Partnerships team to strengthen regional dairy workforce development structure and initiatives to expand the impact of the DGA program.

Financial Management & Administration

• Develop, manage, and monitor the Dairy Program budget
• Track and analyze production, financial, and operational performance against established targets
• Manage farm expenses, purchasing decisions, inventory control, and resource allocation
• Working with the Farming Operations team where appropriate, maintain accurate records related to herd health, breeding, milk production, organic compliance, inventory, and farm operations using herd management software and other recordkeeping systems
• Prepare reports and provide recommendations to support strategic programmatic and organizational decision-making and goals

Partnerships, Compliance & Innovation

• Along with the Director of Farmer Training & Partnerships, serve as a primary point of contact for dairy-related industry partners, service providers, and stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with USDA Organic standards, animal welfare requirements, environmental regulations, workplace safety standards, and partner quality expectations
• Support organic certification processes, audits, inspections, and recordkeeping requirements
• Collaborate with other WNC staff and external researchers, educational partners, and agricultural organizations to support on-farm dairy-related research, innovation, and demonstration projects
• Contribute to the advancement of regenerative and climate-smart agricultural practices that support the organization's mission
• Along with the Director of Farmer Training & Partnerships and other WNC staff, represent WNC at regional dairy, livestock, grazing, and farming-related conferences, meetings, and symposia.

Required Experience

• 6-8 years of dairy herd management, dairy operations leadership, or equivalent agricultural management experience
• Demonstrated experience managing pasture-based and/or grazing dairy systems
• Experience supervising employees, apprentices, interns, or farm teams
• Experience developing and/or implementing dairy and/or livestock farmer training programs

Preferred Education

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Agribusiness, Agriculture, or a related field

Technical Skills

• Calm and safe stockmanship when handling all animals
• Keen detection, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic cattle health conditions in a timely manner
• Proven skills in management-intensive grazing on perennial pasture in dairy production systems
• Knowledge of dairy herd health, reproduction, nutrition, grazing management, and milk production systems
• Experience using herd management software and production recordkeeping systems

• Ability to safely operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment, including tractors, skid steers, and related implements

Leadership Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Effective problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced agricultural environment
• Commitment to mentorship, workforce development, animal welfare, safety, and continuous improvement

Other Requirements

• Legally able to work in the United States (we cannot provide VISA sponsorship)

As a full-time employee of Wolfe's Neck Center, this position is eligible for benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, three weeks paid vacation and six sick days, Maine state holidays off, and our retirement savings plan. Compensation commensurate with experience: $70,000 - $80,000. This is a residential position and on-site housing is provided at 50% market rate.

Please visit our current list of job openings at click on the applicable position, and apply via the Apply Now button. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority given to applications received by July 17th.

Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment welcomes a diverse pool of candidates. In accordance with federal Equal Opportunity laws, Wolfe's Neck Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, veteran status, or physical or mental disability in the hiring of its employees. Applicants are selected based on their ability to perform the essential functions of the job, prior work experience, and references from previous employers.

Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. This job description summarizes the primary duties and responsibilities of the role and may change as business needs evolve. It is not an employment contract and does not guarantee employment for any specific period; employment is at will, in accordance with applicable laws.