This Dairy Chief Operating Officer (COO) job description sets out the main duties, qualifications, skills and measures of success for the role, which is also known as Chief Operations Officer, Group Operations Director, Executive Vice President Operations or Operations Executive. Download it free as a Word or PDF template and adapt it for your own vacancy.
| Job title | Dairy Chief Operating Officer (COO) |
| Also known as | Chief Operations Officer, Group Operations Director, Executive Vice President Operations, Operations Executive |
| Department | Dairy leadership and board |
| Reports to | Chief Executive Officer |
| Direct reports | Site or plant directors, Head of Engineering, Head of Supply Chain, Head of Quality and Food Safety, Head of Health and Safety, and Head of Milk Collection |
What does a Dairy Chief Operating Officer (COO) do?
Leads all operations of the dairy business, from milk collection to processing, packing and distribution. Makes sure products are made safely, to the right quality and at competitive cost, and that plant capacity and investment keep pace with milk supply and customer demand. Works with the Chief Executive and executive team to turn strategy into operational plans and results.
Dairy Chief Operating Officer (COO) duties and responsibilities
Operations strategy and planning
- Develop the operations strategy and plan in line with the strategy agreed by the Board
- Match plant capacity to milk supply, seasonal peaks and customer demand
- Lead sales and operations planning with the commercial, milk supply and finance teams
- Decide which plants make which products to get the best return from milk across market cycles
Manufacturing performance
- Oversee the safe, efficient running of all plants, including liquid milk, cheese, butter and powder
- Set and track targets for yield, throughput, efficiency, energy use and cost per litre
- Drive continuous improvement through lean methods and shared best practice between sites
- Ensure plant is maintained so it is safe, reliable and ready when milk arrives
Supply chain and logistics
- Run milk collection so that milk is collected, tested and delivered on time and in good condition
- Oversee the purchase of packaging, ingredients, energy and services with the procurement team
- Manage warehousing and distribution to retail, food-service and export customers
- Plan for disruption from weather, transport problems, energy supply and plant failure
Health and safety and food safety
- Lead a strong health and safety culture and act to prevent serious injuries
- Ensure food safety and quality systems meet regulatory, customer and certification requirements
- Lead the operational response to food safety incidents, product recalls and site emergencies
- Make sure plants comply with environmental permits and safety regulations
Capital investment and sustainability
- Prepare investment cases for new capacity, automation and plant renewal for Board approval
- Deliver major capital projects safely, on time and within budget
- Reduce emissions, water use, energy use and waste across plants and logistics
- Report operational sustainability performance to the executive team and the Board
Leadership and people
- Lead, develop and hold operations leaders to account for safety, quality, cost and service
- Plan workforce needs, shift patterns, skills and succession with HR
- Build constructive relationships with employees and their representatives
Dairy Chief Operating Officer (COO) qualifications and experience
Essential
- Extensive senior operations leadership experience in dairy or food manufacturing
- Track record of running multi-site manufacturing operations safely and efficiently
- Strong knowledge of dairy processing, food safety systems and HACCP
- Experience of planning and delivering major capital projects
- Experience of managing large operating budgets
- Proven ability to lead and develop senior managers
Desirable
- Degree in dairy science, food technology, engineering or a related discipline
- Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma qualification
- Recognised health and safety qualification
- Experience of milk collection and dairy supply chain logistics
- Experience of running operations in more than one country
Skills and attributes
- Operational leadership
- Planning and prioritisation
- Data-driven decision making
- Problem solving under pressure
- Financial and commercial awareness
- Leading change
- Clear communication at all levels
How success is measured
- Lost-time injury rate and serious incidents
- Food safety incidents, recalls and audit results
- Conversion cost per litre and operating costs against budget
- Yield, plant efficiency and capacity utilisation
- On-time, in-full delivery to customers
- Energy, water and emissions per tonne of product
Working conditions and safety
Based at head office or a main site with frequent travel to plants, depots and suppliers. PPE and hygiene rules apply in production areas, and the role includes on-call cover for serious 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 Chief Operating Officer (COO) interview questions
Use these questions to assess candidates for a Dairy Chief Operating Officer (COO) role. Each one includes what a good answer shows.
- How do you plan plant capacity to cope with seasonal milk peaks without carrying too much idle capacity?
What a good answer shows: Uses supply forecasts, a flexible product mix, toll processing or storage, and weighs capital cost against lost milk value. - Which operational measures do you watch most closely in a dairy processing business, and why?
What a good answer shows: Names safety, food safety, yield, efficiency, cost per litre and service, and links each one to profit and risk. - How do you decide which plants make which products across a multi-site network?
What a good answer shows: Considers milk location, plant capability, logistics cost, customer needs and margin, and reviews the plan as markets change. - How do you make sure a major capital project is delivered safely, on time and within budget?
What a good answer shows: Uses strong project governance, clear scope, competent contractors, active risk management, regular reviews and a careful commissioning plan. - A key powder dryer breaks down during the spring milk peak. What do you do?
What a good answer shows: Puts safety first, finds other outlets for milk, mobilises engineering, informs customers and farmers, and investigates the root cause. - A routine test finds a possible pathogen in finished product that has already shipped. How do you respond?
What a good answer shows: Holds stock, informs quality, the chief executive and regulators as required, supports traceability and recall, and investigates thoroughly. - How do you build a safety culture where people report near misses and stop unsafe work?
What a good answer shows: Leads visibly, responds positively to reports, avoids blame, fixes hazards and involves workers in safety improvements. - How would you reduce emissions, water and energy use across plants while controlling costs?
What a good answer shows: Sets clear targets, measures accurately, prioritises projects with good returns and involves site teams in finding savings. - How do you hold plant leaders to account while still supporting them?
What a good answer shows: Sets clear targets, reviews performance regularly, coaches through problems and acts fairly when standards are not met. - How have you worked with HR and employee representatives to change shift patterns or working practices?
What a good answer shows: Consults early and genuinely, explains the business case, listens to concerns and agrees fair, safe arrangements.
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Frequently asked questions
Leads all operations of the dairy business, from milk collection to processing, packing and distribution. Makes sure products are made safely, to the right quality and at competitive cost, and that plant capacity and investment keep pace with milk supply and customer demand. Works with the Chief Executive and executive team to turn strategy into operational plans and results.
Employers usually look for: extensive senior operations leadership experience in dairy or food manufacturing; track record of running multi-site manufacturing operations safely and efficiently; strong knowledge of dairy processing, food safety systems and HACCP.
A Dairy Chief Operating Officer (COO) usually reports to the Chief Executive Officer. Direct reports typically include site or plant directors, Head of Engineering, Head of Supply Chain, Head of Quality and Food Safety, Head of Health and Safety, and Head of Milk Collection.
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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