Milk Procurement Officer Job Description

This Milk Procurement Officer job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Milk Field Officer, Milk Collection Supervisor, Farmer Liaison Officer or Milk Buyer. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.

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Job title	Milk Procurement Officer
Also known as	Milk Field Officer, Milk Collection Supervisor, Farmer Liaison Officer, Milk Buyer
Department	Procurement, supply chain and logistics
Reports to	Milk Procurement Manager or Milk Supply Manager
Direct reports	None

What does a Milk Procurement Officer do?

Works in the field with dairy farmers and milk collection centres to secure a reliable supply of good-quality milk. Recruits and supports suppliers, resolves quality and payment queries, oversees collection routes and chilling centres, and advises farmers on hygiene, farm standards and yields. Works with smallholder suppliers and commercial farms alike.

Milk Procurement Officer duties and responsibilities

Farmer recruitment and relations

Recruit new milk suppliers, including smallholder groups, co-operatives and commercial farms
Explain supply terms, milk price, quality payments and collection arrangements to farmers
Visit suppliers regularly to build loyalty and keep milk volumes stable
Gather information on competitor milk prices, offers and supplier intentions in the area
Organise farmer meetings, field days and group training sessions

Milk quality and testing

Oversee sampling and testing for fat, protein, bacteria, somatic cells, residues and adulteration
Check that testing equipment at collection points is calibrated, clean and used correctly
Follow up rejected or low-quality milk with the farmer and agree corrective actions
Investigate antibiotic residue and adulteration cases in line with company procedure
Share quality results with farmers and the quality assurance team

Payments and supplier queries

Check that milk volumes and quality results are recorded accurately for payment
Resolve farmer queries on volumes, quality deductions, bonuses and payment dates
Explain the milk price and quality payment scheme in clear, simple terms
Escalate disputed payments to the milk accounts team with supporting evidence
Help farmers access inputs, credit or services where the company offers them

Collection routes and chilling centres

Review collection routes with the logistics team to cut the time from milking to chilling
Monitor milk temperatures on farms, at collection centres and on tankers
Check that chilling centres and bulk tanks are clean, working and maintained
Coordinate collection centre staff and contracted milk collectors in the area
Report equipment failures, missed collections and route problems promptly

Farm standards and advice

Assess farms against company and customer farm assurance standards
Advise farmers on milking hygiene, equipment cleaning and milk cooling
Give practical advice on feeding, fodder, water, breeding and herd health to improve yields
Promote good animal welfare and correct use of antibiotic withdrawal periods
Encourage practices that cut emissions, protect water and support sustainability goals
Refer farmers to vets, nutritionists and extension services for specialist advice

Milk Procurement Officer qualifications and experience

Essential

Diploma or degree in animal science, dairy science, agriculture or a related subject
Experience working with dairy farmers in milk procurement, extension or farm advisory work
Practical knowledge of milk quality testing and clean milk production
Understanding of dairy cow management, feeding and herd health
Good numeracy for checking volumes, quality results and payments
Driving licence, as the role involves daily travel to farms and collection centres

Desirable

Experience with both smallholder supply and commercial farms
Knowledge of farm assurance schemes and on-farm audit methods
Ability to speak the languages farmers use in the area
Experience with mobile data collection or milk accounting systems
Basic knowledge of milk cooling and refrigeration equipment

Skills and attributes

Building trust with farmers
Clear, practical communication and training
Negotiation and conflict resolution
Observation and problem solving on farm
Accurate record keeping
Self-management and planning of field visits
Integrity in quality and payment matters

How success is measured

Milk volume collected against area target
Number of active suppliers and supplier retention
Share of milk meeting bacteria, somatic cell and composition standards
Rejected milk and residue or adulteration cases
Payment queries resolved within the agreed time
Farms meeting company farm standards

Working conditions and safety

Field-based role with daily travel to farms, collection centres and chilling sites, often on rural roads. Early starts to match milking and collection times, with outdoor work in all weathers and farm biosecurity rules in force.

Follow health and safety rules and safe systems of work, and wear the correct PPE
Follow food safety, hygiene, HACCP and quality procedures at all times
Report hazards, accidents, near misses and concerns promptly

Milk Procurement Officer interview questions

Use these questions to assess candidates for a Milk Procurement Officer role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.

Which milk quality tests matter most at a collection point, and why?
What a good answer shows: Names fat, protein, density, bacteria, somatic cells, residues and adulteration checks, and links each to payment or food safety.
How would you persuade a farmer supplying a competitor to switch to us?
What a good answer shows: Learns the farmer's needs, explains price, reliability, quality payments and support honestly, and builds trust over repeated visits.
What practical advice would you give a smallholder with high bacteria counts?
What a good answer shows: Clean hands, udders and equipment, fast cooling, clean covered containers, and simple routines the farmer can keep up.
How does your approach differ between smallholder groups and large commercial farms?
What a good answer shows: Adapts to scale: group training and collection centres for smallholders; data, contracts and technical detail for commercial farms.
A farmer's milk tests positive for antibiotics. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Follows procedure: rejects the milk, traces the source, informs QA, explains withdrawal periods and confirms clear tests before resuming.
Several farmers say their payments are wrong. How do you handle it?
What a good answer shows: Listens, checks volume and quality records, explains clearly, escalates genuine errors quickly and follows up with each farmer.
A farmer offers you a gift to overlook a failed quality test. How do you respond?
What a good answer shows: Refuses, explains that standards protect everyone, and records and reports it under company policy.
What hazards do you watch for when visiting farms and collection centres?
What a good answer shows: Livestock, machinery, slurry, chemicals, road travel and biosecurity; wears PPE, follows farm rules and plans safe journeys.
How would you run a training session for a group of farmers?
What a good answer shows: Practical, hands-on demonstrations in simple language, farmers sharing experience, and follow-up visits to check changes stick.
How do you keep collection centre staff and milk collectors working to standard?
What a good answer shows: Clear expectations, regular checks, fair feedback, practical training and prompt action when standards slip.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a Milk Procurement Officer do?

What qualifications does a Milk Procurement Officer need?

Employers usually look for: diploma or degree in animal science, dairy science, agriculture or a related subject; experience working with dairy farmers in milk procurement, extension or farm advisory work; practical knowledge of milk quality testing and clean milk production.

Who does a Milk Procurement Officer report to?

A Milk Procurement Officer usually reports to the Milk Procurement Manager or Milk Supply Manager.

Can I use this Milk Procurement Officer 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.