Global Farm Development Manager

Procurement

Global Farm Development Manager

About the job

Key missions of the role:

• Identify and implement farm efficiency and GHG reduction opportunities based on performance data. Opportunities can span across herd management (youngstock, animal health, welfare, genetics/genomics), diet/feed composition, methane innovations and manure management. Proposed pipeline will need to be supported with business case at farm and Danone level.
• Technology & commercial development: Introduce upstream farm suppliers that provide services and technology enabling the implementation of the aforementioned opportunities on our global farm network. This in the territory of animal Health, animal welfare, genetics and genomics.
• Scout for new farm technologies and develop these from pilot to commercial state. Develop commercial models for suppliers and make them fit for use.
• Stakeholder engagement: Connect with agricultural scientist and universities to create and steer Danone’s research agenda for methane reduction, animal efficiency and genetics. Set new standards for animal welfare assessment, ensuring compliance between global and local teams. Influence external stakeholders and promote Danone at international forums. To increase reach and find collaborators for the strategy.

Key responsibilities:

• Design and implement strategies to meet global sustainability targets and become volatility resistant.
• Impact on Business Results: Transform local performing farms into high-performance systems, making the dairy agriculture system lower in emissions, more resistant to price volatility, and structurally lower in cost.
• Lead expert role, maintaining connections with regional teams while transforming ownership from global execution to local execution under global supervision.
• Innovation Skills & Competencies: Scout for the latest farm technologies and identify start-ups to invest in.

Scope & Level of Interaction:

Interact with internal and local directors, VPs, and external key opinion leaders and CEOs in the agriculture and ag-tech world.

You will report to Anco VAN SCHAIK, Regenerative Agriculture & Plant-Based Director.

About you

• A degree in animal science, agriculture business, or dairy management is usually necessary. This provides a strong foundation in the principles of dairy farming.
• Familiarity with farm management software and precision agriculture technology is increasingly important. This includes training in the latest technologies to improve farm efficiency and sustainability.
• Strong dairy experience or dairy experts Training Courses to be able to assess and expand knowledge, skills, and attitudes of dairy workers. Topics include feeding management, low-stress handling of cattle, fresh cow health monitoring.
• Ability to travel 20-25% of time.

Skills and competencies:

• Understanding herd performance data and recommend improvements for cattle productivity and sustainability
• Understanding of regenerative agriculture practices.
• Understanding of farm economics to support building business cases of recommended opportunities.
• Expert in levers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in dairy farming.
• Experience in integrating technologies in farming systems.
• Understand the impact of healthy soils, animal welfare, and resilient food systems.
• Expertise in cattle breeding and genetic research.
• Development of breeding programs to enhance herd performance.

About Danone

At Danone we are committed to our mission “bringing health, through food to as many people as possible”. Working together to make sure that our brands, like Hipro, Nutricia, Alpro, Activia, Nutrilon and Evian, create real benefits for people, communities and the planet. You will be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world.

Cycles & Procurement is right at the heart of making the Danone vision One Planet. Through what and how we source, we shape the world in which we operate & we build the future for Danone. With our Cycles we protect and secure our key resources (Milk, Water and Plastic) & we take a strategic approach to Procurement to support the business and social agenda of Danone. We secure competitive, sustainable resources, seek innovative solutions, and partner up with suppliers aligned to our vision.

We offer:

All Danoners receive a complete package of benefits. This includes a competitive salary and yearly bonus, a premium free pension, 30 days of annual leave (with the opportunity to purchase more) and you will receive a monthly health care allowance. In addition, you can get discount on your gym membership, and we offer initiatives focused on nutrition, physical, and mental health. We provide continuous learning opportunities through workshops, online courses and training sessions.

Job details

Dedicated to bringing health through food to as many people as possible, we are a leading global food & beverage company built on four businesses: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition.

* all applications will be considered for a vacancy without discrimination based on ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.