This Dairy Executive Director job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Executive Board Director, Executive Board Member, Board Executive or Executive Director (Co-operative). Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.
| Job title | Dairy Executive Director |
| Also known as | Executive Board Director, Executive Board Member, Board Executive, Executive Director (Co-operative) |
| Department | Dairy leadership and board |
| Reports to | Chief Executive Officer for the executive role, and the Board for director duties |
| Direct reports | Senior leaders within the executive area of responsibility |
What does a Dairy Executive Director do?
Combines a senior executive role in a dairy business with a seat on the Board. Leads a major area of the business day to day while sharing collective responsibility, with the other directors, for strategy, oversight and the long-term success of the company or co-operative.
Dairy Executive Director duties and responsibilities
Board duties
- Act in the best interests of the company or co-operative and promote its long-term success
- Exercise independent judgement, reasonable care, skill and diligence in all Board decisions
- Declare and manage conflicts of interest, including any between the executive role and Board duties
- Share collective responsibility for strategy, risk appetite, financial statements and major investments
- Prepare thoroughly for Board meetings and contribute openly to debate and challenge
Strategy and performance
- Help develop strategy, including milk supply, product mix, markets and plant investment
- Lead delivery of agreed plans in the executive area and report progress honestly to the Board
- Bring practical insight to Board discussions on capacity, customers, commodity markets and exports
- Propose and lead major investment, acquisition or restructuring cases within the executive area
Executive leadership
- Lead the executive area day to day, setting objectives, budgets and standards
- Build a capable leadership team with clear accountability and succession plans
- Work with fellow executives to deliver joined-up plans across milk supply, operations and sales
- Make sure the executive area meets its food safety, health and safety and environmental obligations
Governance, risk and control
- Maintain effective internal controls and risk management in the executive area
- Provide accurate, timely and complete information so the Board can make sound decisions
- Attend audit, risk, remuneration and nomination committees when invited, and respect their independence
- Uphold the code of conduct and set an example of ethical behaviour across the business
Stakeholders
- Represent the business with customers, lenders, investors, regulators and industry bodies
- Engage farmer members on milk price, supply terms and performance where the business is a co-operative
- Explain Board decisions clearly to employees and promote a culture of safety and integrity
Dairy Executive Director qualifications and experience
Essential
- Substantial senior executive experience in dairy, food, agriculture or a related sector
- Track record of leading a major function or business unit and delivering results
- Sound understanding of directors' duties, fiduciary responsibilities and the role of board committees
- Strong financial literacy, including reading financial statements and assessing investment cases
- Experience of presenting to and working with a board
- Ability to separate the interests of the executive area from the collective duties of a director
Desirable
- Previous experience as a company director
- Experience of co-operative governance and farmer-member relations
- Formal governance or director development training
- Experience of international or export markets
Skills and attributes
- Strategic thinking and business judgement
- Financial and commercial acumen
- Leadership and team building
- Constructive challenge and collective decision-making
- Risk awareness
- Clear communication with the Board, employees and external stakeholders
- Integrity and independence of mind
How success is measured
- Delivery of the strategic plan and objectives in the executive area
- Financial performance against budget, including margin and return on capital
- Food safety, health and safety and audit results in the executive area
- Quality and timeliness of information provided to the Board
- Board evaluation feedback on contribution as a director
- Leadership team engagement, retention and strength of succession
Working conditions and safety
Full-time executive role with regular travel to sites, customers and markets. Attends all Board meetings and strategy sessions, and committee meetings when invited, with time set aside to prepare for each.
- 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 Executive Director interview questions
Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy Executive Director role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.
- How do you separate your duties as a director from your interests as the leader of a business area?
What a good answer shows: Understands collective responsibility, puts the whole company first, declares conflicts, and backs Board decisions even when their area loses out. - What are the most important strategic issues facing a dairy business today?
What a good answer shows: Covers milk supply, commodity volatility, customers and exports, plant investment, sustainability and talent, with clear priorities and reasoning. - How would you assess a major investment in new processing capacity?
What a good answer shows: Considers the milk supply outlook, market demand, product returns, capital cost, risks and alternatives, with honest sensitivity analysis. - How do you make sure the Board gets the information it needs to make good decisions?
What a good answer shows: Accurate, timely and balanced papers, clear options and risks, no surprises, and openness about bad news. - The Board is about to approve a strategy you believe is flawed. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Raises concerns clearly in the boardroom with evidence, listens to others, and accepts the collective decision unless it is unlawful or unethical. - A serious food safety incident hits your area just before a Board meeting. How do you handle it?
What a good answer shows: Protects consumers first, leads the response, informs the Chair and Board promptly and fully, and reports root causes and lessons. - How do you handle a conflict between your executive targets and the long-term interests of the company?
What a good answer shows: Puts long-term interests first, raises the conflict openly, and supports targets and pay that discourage short-term behaviour. - What does good risk management look like in your executive area?
What a good answer shows: A clear risk register with owners and controls, regular review, links to the Board's risk appetite, and escalation of significant risks. - How do you lead your executive team while also acting as a peer to non-executive directors?
What a good answer shows: Keeps the roles distinct, welcomes challenge from non-executives, keeps the team informed, and never uses Board status to override colleagues. - How have you developed successors for your own role and your senior team?
What a good answer shows: Gives examples of spotting talent, stretch assignments, mentoring and succession plans that led to internal appointments.
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Frequently asked questions
Combines a senior executive role in a dairy business with a seat on the Board. Leads a major area of the business day to day while sharing collective responsibility, with the other directors, for strategy, oversight and the long-term success of the company or co-operative.
Employers usually look for: substantial senior executive experience in dairy, food, agriculture or a related sector; track record of leading a major function or business unit and delivering results; sound understanding of directors' duties, fiduciary responsibilities and the role of board committees.
A Dairy Executive Director usually reports to the Chief Executive Officer for the executive role, and the Board for director duties. Direct reports typically include senior leaders within the executive area of responsibility.
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.
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