Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director Job Description

This Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Chief Compliance Officer, Head of Compliance, Ethics and Compliance Manager or Compliance Officer. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.

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Job title	Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director
Also known as	Chief Compliance Officer, Head of Compliance, Ethics and Compliance Manager, Compliance Officer
Department	Dairy leadership and board
Reports to	Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel, with direct access to the Board audit or risk committee
Direct reports	Compliance managers and specialists, including investigations, data protection and supply chain compliance

What does a Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director do?

Leads the ethics and compliance programme for a dairy business, so that it operates lawfully and with integrity in every market it serves. Owns the code of conduct and the main compliance risks, including anti-bribery, competition law, sanctions, data protection and labour standards in the supply chain, and gives independent assurance to the Board.

Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director duties and responsibilities

Compliance programme and code of conduct

Own the code of conduct and keep it clear, current and relevant to dairy operations
Run a risk-based compliance programme with policies, training, monitoring and testing
Assess compliance risks across markets, functions and business partners and set priorities each year
Deliver targeted training for higher-risk roles such as milk procurement, sales, trading and purchasing
Report on the programme, key risks and incidents to the executive team and the Board audit or risk committee

Anti-bribery and competition law

Maintain anti-bribery controls covering gifts, hospitality, donations and third-party due diligence
Advise on competition law in milk pricing, co-operative arrangements, joint ventures and customer contracts
Set clear rules for contact with competitors and for taking part in trade associations and industry forums
Review pricing, distribution and supply agreements for competition law risk with legal advisers
Prepare the business for unannounced regulator inspections and lead the response when they happen

Sanctions, export controls and trade

Screen customers, distributors, suppliers and shipments against applicable sanctions lists
Ensure exports of dairy products, ingredients and equipment comply with export controls and trade restrictions
Carry out due diligence on agents, distributors and joint venture partners in higher-risk markets
Give commercial teams fast, practical advice so compliance supports export growth

Speak-up, investigations and data protection

Run a confidential whistleblowing channel open to employees, farmers, suppliers and contractors
Protect people who raise concerns from retaliation and make sure concerns are handled fairly and promptly
Lead or oversee investigations and agree remedial and disciplinary action with management
Oversee the data protection programme for employee, customer, consumer and farmer data
Manage the response to personal data breaches with IT, legal and the teams affected

Labour standards and modern slavery in the supply chain

Set labour and human rights standards for farms, suppliers, contractors and labour providers
Assess modern slavery and forced labour risks, including in farm work, seasonal labour and recruitment
Work with procurement and milk supply teams on audits, corrective actions and supplier training
Prepare modern slavery and human rights statements and disclosures where required

Culture and team leadership

Promote a culture of integrity in which people raise concerns and leaders act on them
Lead and develop the compliance team and a network of compliance champions across sites
Use findings from audits, speak-up reports and investigations to strengthen controls

Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director qualifications and experience

Essential

Degree in law, business or a related subject, or a recognised professional qualification in compliance or law
Substantial senior experience leading an ethics and compliance programme in an international business
Practical knowledge of anti-bribery, competition law, sanctions, export controls and data protection
Experience of running sensitive investigations and whistleblowing processes
Experience of managing human rights and labour standards risks in supply chains
Track record of reporting to and advising a board or audit committee

Desirable

Legal qualification with competition law experience
Experience in food, agriculture, dairy or a co-operative business
Experience in export-led businesses operating in higher-risk markets
Professional qualification in data protection

Skills and attributes

Sound judgement and integrity
Risk assessment and prioritisation
Clear, practical advice for non-specialists
Investigation and analytical skills
Influencing senior leaders and handling challenge
Discretion with confidential information
Programme and policy design

How success is measured

Completion of code of conduct training and training for higher-risk roles
Speak-up reports received, and investigations closed within target times
Third parties screened and due diligence completed before they are taken on
Compliance audit findings closed on time
Supplier labour standards assessments and corrective actions completed
Employee survey results on confidence to speak up

Working conditions and safety

Based at head office with travel to sites, farms and international markets. Attends Board audit or risk committee meetings and may need to respond out of hours to urgent incidents.

Lead by example on health, safety, food safety and animal welfare
Uphold the code of conduct and all legal and compliance requirements
Raise concerns and report incidents promptly

Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director interview questions

Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.

How would you assess and prioritise compliance risks in a dairy business operating in many markets?
What a good answer shows: A structured assessment by market, function and third party, using data and interviews, with resources focused on the highest risks.
What competition law risks arise in milk pricing and co-operative arrangements, and how do you manage them?
What a good answer shows: Understands risks in information sharing, price coordination and buyer power, gives clear guidance and training, and involves legal advisers early.
How do you run effective sanctions and export control screening for a dairy exporter?
What a good answer shows: Risk-based screening of customers, distributors and shipments, clear escalation, recorded decisions, and fast advice so trade is not held up needlessly.
How would you identify modern slavery risks in farm labour and the wider supply chain?
What a good answer shows: Maps higher-risk areas such as seasonal or agency labour, uses audits and worker feedback, and focuses on putting things right.
A sales manager says a distributor in a new export market wants an unexplained cash payment. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Stops the payment, gathers the facts, investigates the distributor, advises the business, records decisions and reviews third-party controls.
You learn that senior staff discussed milk prices informally with a competitor at an industry event. How do you respond?
What a good answer shows: Treats it seriously, secures evidence, involves legal advisers, considers whether to report it, retrains staff and tightens rules on competitor contact.
How do you protect whistleblowers and make sure their concerns are handled fairly?
What a good answer shows: Confidential channels, zero tolerance of retaliation, independent investigation, timely feedback to the reporter, and regular reports to the audit committee.
How do you stay independent when a senior executive disagrees with your advice?
What a good answer shows: Explains the risks clearly, records the advice, escalates to the Chief Executive or audit committee if needed, and stays constructive.
How do you build a culture where people raise concerns without fear?
What a good answer shows: Leaders who model integrity, visible action on concerns, practical training, recognition for speaking up, and surveys that measure trust.
How do you make compliance practical for busy commercial and farm-facing teams?
What a good answer shows: Simple policies, training tailored to each role, quick routes to advice, local compliance champions, and explaining the reasons behind rules.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director do?

What qualifications does a Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director need?

Employers usually look for: degree in law, business or a related subject, or a recognised professional qualification in compliance or law; substantial senior experience leading an ethics and compliance programme in an international business; practical knowledge of anti-bribery, competition law, sanctions, export controls and data protection.

Who does a Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director report to?

A Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director usually reports to the Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel, with direct access to the Board audit or risk committee. Direct reports typically include compliance managers and specialists, including investigations, data protection and supply chain compliance.

Can I use this Dairy Ethics and Compliance Director job description for my own vacancy?

Yes. Download the free Word template, add your location, contract and salary details, and adapt the duties to your site. You can then advertise the role on Dairy Jobs.