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$110k

Per Year DOE (Depends on Experience) Dairy Farm and Herd Operations Manager

Wright's Dairy Farm Inc.

Occupation:

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Location:

North Smithfield, RI - 02896

Job Type:

Regular, Full Time (30 Hours or More), Permanent Employment

Posted:

09/28/2026

Positions available: 1

Source:

EmployRI

Web Site:

EmployRI

Onsite /

Remote:

Work onsite all of the time

Updated:

09/28/2026

Expires:

11/27/2026

Job #: 1569037

Job Requirements and Properties

Help for Job Requirements and Properties. Opens a new window. Work Onsite

Full Time Education

Associate's Degree Experience

60 Month(s) Age

18 and up Schedule

Full Time Job Type

Regular Duration

Permanent Employment Public Transit

Available Benefits

Job Description

Help for Job Description. Opens a new window. The Dairy Farm and Herd Operations Manager leads all aspects of herd health, milk production, and daily farm operations, with direct accountability for animal welfare, operational performance, and business outcomes. This hands-on role is responsible for an excellent herd of high-producing, healthy, registered Holsteins across all life stages, including milking, dry, maternity, and young stock. The herd is housed at one cow per deep-bedded sand stall and milked 2x in a double-ten parallel parlor. It averages 90 lbs of milk at 4.3% BF and 3.4% protein, with SCC under 150,000.

This Manager partners closely with the Director Crops to plan and the herd's forage inventory and quality needs, and pitches in when it's time to "make hay while the sun shines."

As a key part of Wright's "Cow-to-Customer" model, this role ensures the highest standards of herd care while driving the milk quality, efficiency, and consistency of our customers' experience. We're looking for a business leader who can balance strategic decisions with day-to-day execution in a fast-paced, 365-day environment, and who builds a culture of accountability, safety, and care for both animals and people. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following: Herd Health, Production & Animal Welfare

Lead and oversee all aspects of herd health management, including daily observation, early illness detection, diagnosis, and treatment decisions

Establish and maintain best-in-class animal welfare, biosecurity, and humane handling practices

Own reproductive performance, including heat detection, breeding strategy, artificial insemination coordination, and pregnancy tracking

Partner with veterinarians and nutritionists to optimize herd health, milk production, and long-term sustainability

Ensure high-quality calf care, development, and successful transition into the milking herd

Maintain accurate, timely, and actionable herd health and production records to support data-driven decision-making

Drive continuous improvement in milk quality metrics in collaboration with the Dairy team Farm Operations & Business Performance

Oversee daily farm operations to ensure efficiency, cleanliness, and adherence to all protocols across barns, milking systems, and facilities

Drive operational performance by optimizing feed utilization, labor efficiency, and herd productivity

Monitor and manage key herd and operational metrics, including production, reproduction, culling, and replacement rates

Identify operational gaps and implement improvements to enhance productivity, workflow efficiency, and cost management

Manage inventory of veterinary supplies, medications, and herd-related resources

Oversee maintenance and functionality of farm equipment and facilities, coordinating repairs as needed

Leadership & Team Development (

LMA:

Lead, Manage, Accountability)

Lead, coach, and develop farm staff, setting clear expectations and holding the team accountable to performance and behavioral standards

Build and maintain a high-performing, safety-focused, and team-oriented culture aligned with Wright's core values

Oversee staffing, scheduling, and workforce planning to ensure consistent coverage for a 365-day operation

Train team members on herd care protocols, safety practices, and operational procedures

Provide real-time feedback, address performance concerns, and support employee development and retention

Partner with HR and leadership on hiring, onboarding, and performance management initiatives

Facilitate regular team communication to ensure alignment, accountability, and continuous improvement

Strategic Leadership & Continuous Improvement

Lead ongoing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance herd performance, operational efficiency, and team effectiveness

Analyze data and trends to identify opportunities and implement solutions that improve outcomes

Partner with leadership to support long-term farm strategy, sustainability efforts, and operational growth

Contribute to cross-functional initiatives that strengthen alignment between farm operations and the broader Wright's business

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

Ensure full compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations related to livestock health, environmental standards, and workplace safety

Maintain audit and inspection readiness at all times

Enforce safety protocols for animal handling, equipment use, and workplace practices

Identify, address, and proactively mitigate operational risks

Ensure proper use of PPE and adherence to all company safety policies

Promote a culture of safety, including reporting and addressing hazards, injuries, and near-miss incidents

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Success in this role will be measured by:

Milk production and quality metrics (SCC, bacteria counts, yield)

Reproductive performance (pregnancy rate, calving intervals)

Herd health outcomes (illness rates, mortality, treatment effectiveness)

Labor efficiency and operational productivity

Compliance and audit readiness

Team performance, engagement, and retention

Required Competencies

Deep expertise in dairy herd management, including animal health, reproduction, and nutrition

Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate, coach, and hold others accountable

Data-driven mindset with experience using herd management and production tracking systems

Strong operational and business acumen

Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

High level of organization with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment

Mechanical aptitude with experience operating and troubleshooting farm equipment

Ability to work independently while aligning with organizational goals

Flexibility, resilience, and a strong sense of ownership

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct supervision of Farm staff, including performance management, scheduling support, and day-to-day oversight Minimum Qualifications

Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree preferred in Animal Science, Dairy Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

5+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in dairy herd management and/or farm leadership

Proven experience leading teams in an agricultural or production environment

Strong working knowledge of herd health, reproduction, nutrition, and milk production systems

Experience with herd recordkeeping and data management systems

Ability to operate tractors, skid steers, and other farm equipment

Valid driver's license with a clean driving record

Preferred Certifications

Artificial Insemination (AI) Certification and current KPI's to prove ability

Dairy Herd Management or Herd Health Training

CPR/First Aid Certification Position Type & Work Hours

Full-time, year-round role

Schedule varies based on operational needs

Availability required on weekends, holidays, and as needed to support a 365-day operation

This role requires a high level of ownership and responsiveness to urgent herd or operational needs

Travel

Occasional travel may be required for veterinary visits, continuing education, or supply/vendor coordination Work Environment & Physical Demands The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. Physical Requirements

The employee is regularly required to:

Stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8-12 hours per shift)

Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb

Use hands to handle, grasp, reach, and operate tools and equipment

Lift, carry, push, and/or pull:

Up to 50 pounds frequently

Up to 75 pounds occasionally

Perform repetitive motions involving hands, arms, and shoulders

Maintain balance and coordination while working on uneven, wet, or slippery surfaces

Work in close proximity to large animals and moving equipment

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in agricultural and outdoor environments, including barns, milking parlors, and open fields. The employee is regularly exposed to:

Varying environmental conditions, including extreme heat, cold, humidity, rain, and snow

Wet, muddy, uneven, and slippery surfaces

High noise levels from machinery, equipment, and livestock

Dust, hay, feed, and airborne agricultural particles

Animal waste, manure, and strong odors

Chemicals, including cleaning agents, disinfectants, and veterinary products

This role involves direct and frequent interaction with livestock, which may present unpredictable behavior and physical risk. Safety-Sensitive Position

This position is considered safety-sensitive due to:

Operation of farm machinery and equipment

Handling and proximity to large livestock

Exposure to environments where inattention could result in injury to self or others

Employees must maintain the ability to perform duties safely at all times. Wright's Dairy Farm & Bakery is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We operate a drug-free environment and adhere to ADA regulations as applicable.