Animal Wellbeing Manager
ABOUT UDA:
UDA is a local, family-owned, dairy cooperative committed to serve the needs of our members, community, and customers by providing high quality milk and dairy products. As the only milk marketing co-op in the state, UDA oversees the production, processing, and marketing of Arizona’s finest milk products from farm to Retail in 48 hours or less. From sweet cream and butter to non-fat dry milk, UDA provides milk products to manufactures and supermarket chains throughout the Grand Canyon State.
Our motto at UDA is “United in Excellence.” The dairy industry’s success isn’t built on one dairy or brand, it’s built on the community as a whole - this includes our amazing employees. When you join UDA, you’re not just joining a business, you’re joining a family. Since 1960 UDA has been headquartered, operated, and managed in Arizona. We strive to provide our employees with rewarding career opportunities aimed at long-term stability, growth, and advancement. We put our heart and soul into our products and value our team who show up, every day and do the work.
Job Summary/Objective
The Animal Wellbeing Manager evaluates animal welfare conditions on dairy farms through formal assessment programs and audits, ensuring compliance with industry standards, certification requirements, and regulatory guidelines. This role helps farms implement best practices for animal care and welfare and drives continuous improvement by developing data-driven action plans, facilitating regular progress reviews, and fostering a culture of proactive animal wellbeing across dairy operations.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Conducting on-farm welfare assessments and audits of dairy operations
- Evaluating housing conditions, nutrition programs, milking procedures, and general animal handling
- Assessing animal-based welfare measures (body condition, lameness, injuries, cleanliness)
- Documenting findings and preparing detailed audit reports
- Providing recommendations for welfare improvements
- Supporting a culture of animal wellbeing on our member dairies
- Verifying compliance with specific welfare certification programs
- Educating farm employees on best practices for animal welfare
- Following up on corrective actions
*Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Qualifications:
General Skills & Abilities needed to complete job successfully:
- Knowledge of dairy cattle behavior, physiology, and welfare needs
- Understanding of dairy farm operations and management practices
- Familiarity with welfare assessment protocols and scoring systems
- Strong observational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent communication abilities (both verbal and written)
- Ability to maintain objectivity and professional integrity
- Experience working directly with dairy cattle (strongly preferred)
- Certification in specific welfare audit programs
Experience: (required)
- A combination of 5 years of education and/or on-dairy farm industry experience
Experience: (preferred)
- Basic Spanish skills needed
Education/Certifications:
| Required | Preferred | |
| Education (degree/certifications) |
|
Work Environment & Demands
Physical and environmental demands for this position are indicated below:
Physical Demands:
- Requires ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods of time.
- Requires ability to visually observe the condition of surroundings.
- Requires ability to work in varying temperatures including hot working conditions.
- Requires ability to hear and speak.
- Requires ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
- Requires ability to drive a company vehicle for extended periods of time
- Requires ability to lift 10 pounds
BENEFITS:
- Medical, Dental & Vision plans
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Health & Wellness Programs
- Paid Time Off
- Shift Pay Differential
- Education Assistance
- On-site Fitness Center
- On-Site Health Clinic
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list; employees may be subject to additional, or altered, tasks and the scope of the role may change as necessitated by business demands. UDA will not consider any application submissions from unauthorized third-parties, consulting, or external staffing firms and will not be held subject, or liable, to any terms, fees, or penalties associated with a submission.
UDA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.