Sustainability Manufacturing Programs Coordinator

The Sustainability Manufacturing Programs Coordinator at Dairy Farmers of America is responsible for implementing the sustainability framework across various business areas. Key tasks include developing training materials, tracking sustainability metrics, coordinating environmental efficiency projects, and managing documentation and reporting. The role involves engaging stakeholders, assisting with supply chain data for EPR reporting, and ensuring alignment with the company's sustainability goals.
About the position

The Sustainability Manufacturing Programs Coordinator at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) plays a crucial role in implementing and maintaining the Cooperative's sustainability framework across various business areas. This position involves a comprehensive approach to sustainability, including drafting position papers, maintaining records, and creating communications on material topics. The coordinator will also be responsible for developing training materials, measuring results, analyzing areas for improvement, and engaging stakeholders through regular dialogue and reporting. The role requires identifying and coordinating environmental efficiency projects and optimization work in assigned areas, ensuring that sustainability initiatives align with the company's goals and objectives. In this role, the coordinator will assist in the development and day-to-day coordination of DFA's sustainability program framework. This includes managing processes, documentation, assurance mechanisms, and reporting. The coordinator will track sustainability program metrics and communicate the program's status to internal stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability. Additionally, the coordinator will assist with supply chain data gathering and calculations for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reporting, acting as the sustainability lead for customer responsible sourcing needs, such as ingredient certifications and packaging recyclability. The coordinator will also facilitate and coordinate sustainability work streams at assigned locations, which may include energy efficiency projects, energy audits, waste assessments, water optimization projects, and renewable energy initiatives. Onboarding and overseeing third-party vendors that assist in performing environmental sustainability work for data reporting and EPR regulations will also be part of the responsibilities. The coordinator will coordinate sustainability communications and training, serving as a resource for sustainability pilots, programs, and related initiatives as needed. Overall, this position is integral to driving progress toward DFA's sustainability targets and ensuring compliance with internal and external reporting commitments.

Responsibilities
• Assist in the development and day-to-day coordination of DFA's sustainability program framework, including processes, documentation, assurance mechanism, and reporting
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• Track sustainability program metrics and communicate program status to internal stakeholders
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• Assist with supply chain data gathering and calculations for EPR reporting
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• Act as sustainability lead for customer responsible sourcing needs (e.g., ingredient certifications, packaging recyclability, procurement guidelines)
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• Coordinate data collection, quality control, and analysis to meet the company's internal and external reporting commitments that include U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment, and plant customer reports
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• Identify environmental efficiency projects and activities that meet internal ROI hurdle rates and drive progress toward DFA's sustainability targets
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• Facilitate and coordinate sustainability work streams at assigned locations, including but not limited to, energy efficiency projects, energy audits, waste assessments, water optimization projects, and renewable energy and/or thermal decarbonization projects
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• Onboard and oversee third-party vendors that assist in performing environmental sustainability work for data reporting and/or EPR regulations
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• Coordinate sustainability communications and training
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• Serve as a resource for sustainability pilots, programs, and related initiatives as needed

Requirements
• Undergraduate degree in sustainability, food science, agri-business, business, environmental studies, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
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• 2 to 5 years of corporate social responsibility, sustainability, or related experience
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• Experience in internal and external reporting, metrics tracking and analysis, and communications
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• Experience organizing and coordinating projects from concept through execution

Nice-to-haves
• Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment
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• Knowledge of plant manufacturing ERP systems and processes
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• Knowledge of current sustainability industry initiatives, trends, and tools
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• Knowledge of consumer and marketplace trends driving interest in sustainable agriculture
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• Solid project management skills pertaining to sustainability measurement, reporting, and communications
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• Able to synthesize, clarify, and simplify abstract topics
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• Able to create visual representations of data and progress
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• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, and including being able to communicate technical information to non-technical individuals
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• Able to work independently and in a team
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• Able to effectively interact with others and build strong relationships to accomplish goals and objectives
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• Must be able to read, write and speak English

Benefits