Field Services Officer at Bulla Dairy Foods

Bulla Dairy Foods is one of Australia's oldest family-owned dairy companies, proudly making dairy products in country Australia for six generations. We are dedicated to making products with more care, craftsmanship and passion from only the freshest milk and cream.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Field services Officer to join our Dairy and Procurement team in a permanent role.

Reporting into the Head of Field Services you will be responsible for recruiting farmers that match Bulla’s production and quality requirements, also acting as a support link to ensure the retention of Bulla’s dairy farmers by maintaining close relationships with farmers and sharefarmers.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Identify and build relationships with farmers to ensure that production and quality meets the needs of Bulla
• Act as key contact with involvement in and following through on a range of issues including contract execution, milk quality, antibiotic investigations, milk vat failures, farmer payments and sustainability credentials
• Monitor supplier milk quality and milk volumes, provide a quick response to the problem identification, and provide recommendations to suppliers on how to overcome/meet quality parameters.
• To provide training of new and existing suppliers in the Bulla Quality Assurance Manual and where required assist in upgrading the manual.
• When required support suppliers in the preparation of budgets. Assist suppliers (existing and new) with an understanding of their supplier contracts with Bulla Dairy Foods.
• Work with farms to collect and report data on production forecasts, sustainable agricultural practices, animal welfare etc
• Work with farms and auditors to develop schedules for audits
• Work closely with all key stakeholders, including farmers, Quality, Administration, Marketing & Sales to continuously improve supply chain sustainability
• Source new farmers during recruitment and provide income estimates to potential farmers
• Collect all relevant information from Farmers to execute contracts, fulfil administrative and database requirements and allow forecasting as required
• Work with our third-party service providers – e.g. Logistics and act as contact point for all transport related issues including BVAQ testing to resolve issues
• Liaise with third party auditors to ensure audit compliance and certification
• Work with the dairies to maintain proper record keeping satisfying customer requirements.
• Assist in the maintenance Madcap and other databases
• Investigate and relay industry market intelligence from farmers
• Prepare presentations and reports that are communicated to the organisation as required
• Investigate and assist with developing Bulla’s farm field services independence

Candidate will demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

• Ability to work individually and or in teams effectively and contribute to a positive work environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively trouble-shoot and use problem solving skills
• Innately curious and lateral thinker
• Effectively interact with dairy farm owners and employees, third party service providers
• Strong decision-making skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail in daily activities
• Highly organised, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
• Effective prioritising and time management skills
• Previous experience in a similar role, or previous dairy farming experience ideal

Please note this role is working from home with some "out of hours" work required and occasional travel to other Victorian supply regions for meetings and/or to assist field team where required

If this sounds like you, please apply now to join the Bulla family.