Dairy Farm Director
Industry: Dairy Production & Livestock
Lead a High-Impact Dairy Operation, Reporting Directly to the CEO
Step into a rare, high-visibility leadership role at the helm of one of the region's most sophisticated dairy farm operations. As Farm Director, you will report directly to the CEO, holding full strategic and operational command over a 400-strong team — veterinarians, managers, and frontline workforce alike. This is a mandate to shape the future of a large-scale, internationally benchmarked dairy operation, with the autonomy to drive herd health, production excellence, and world-class welfare standards from the ground up.
About the Opportunity
A leading dairy production organization is seeking an experienced Farm Director to lead strategic and operational management of a large-scale dairy farm. This is a confidential search on behalf of an established employer in the GCC food production sector.
Role Purpose
The Farm Director will own end-to-end dairy farm operations — herd health, milking and husbandry standards, farm infrastructure, biosecurity, workforce management, and milk production KPIs — ensuring the operation meets international welfare, quality, and regulatory standards while driving productivity and cost efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the dairy farm's strategic operating plan aligned with milk production and business targets
- Oversee animal husbandry practices: breeding, nutrition, milking protocols, health management, and welfare standards across the herd
- Lead veterinary oversight — disease prevention, biosecurity protocols, herd health monitoring, and treatment programs
- Monitor and optimize milk yield, quality, and milking parlour/dairy processing operations
- Manage farm infrastructure, equipment, and facility upkeep to ensure operational continuity
- Build and lead a multi-disciplinary farm team (veterinary, husbandry, milking, labour, maintenance); set KPIs and performance standards
- Ensure full compliance with animal welfare regulations, dairy/food safety standards, and relevant government authority requirements
- Manage farm budgets, resource planning, and vendor/supplier relationships (feed, veterinary supplies, dairy equipment)
- Drive continuous improvement in milk yield, animal health outcomes, and operational efficiency
- Maintain accurate records for herd health, milk production, and regulatory audits/inspections
- Act as the primary point of accountability for dairy farm operations to senior leadership
- Design and monitor feed formulation and nutrition programs tailored to herd stage, yield targets, and climate conditions
- Oversee genetic selection and breeding programs to improve herd productivity, fertility rates, and long-term herd quality
- Ensure milk cold-chain integrity and quality parameters from milking through storage and dispatch
- Establish disease surveillance systems and early-warning monitoring to detect health issues before they escalate
Candidate Requirements
Education
- Master's degree in Veterinary Science / Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent) mandatory
- Additional qualification in Animal Husbandry, Farm Management, or Livestock Science is an advantage
- MBA in Agribusiness Management, Operations Management, or a related discipline will be preferred
Experience
- Minimum 15 years of overall experience in dairy farm operations, veterinary practice, or livestock/dairy production
- Minimum 8 years in a Manager / Leadership role with direct P&L, team, and operational accountability
- Proven track record managing large-scale dairy farms — herd health, milk production, breeding programs, and farm operations
- GCC experience strongly preferred; familiarity with regional dairy/livestock regulations and climate-specific husbandry practices
Technical & Functional Expertise
- Strong command of animal husbandry principles: nutrition, breeding, reproduction, milking management, and welfare
- Veterinary clinical expertise — disease diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care programs
- Biosecurity and farm hygiene protocol design and enforcement
- Dairy farm operations management: milking systems, infrastructure, equipment, labour planning, and budgeting
- Working knowledge of animal welfare and dairy/food safety regulatory frameworks
- Data-driven decision-making — milk production reporting, herd performance tracking, KPI management
- Proven expertise handling animal welfare audits and international certification standards (ISO, FSSC 22000, and other relevant food safety/quality systems); able to lead audit readiness, corrective action closure, and ongoing compliance
Leadership Competencies
- Proven ability to lead diverse, multicultural, and multilingual farm teams
- Strategic thinker with hands-on operational execution capability
- Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination
- Crisis and risk management — able to respond decisively to health, welfare, or operational incidents
Additional Details
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer(CEO)
Span of Control: Approx. 500 employees, including frontline workforce, veterinarians, managers, and operational staff
Relocation: Candidates based in Dubai / GCC preferred; relocation support to be discussed for exceptional candidates outside the region
Confidentiality: Company identity will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates only
Interested candidates meeting the above criteria may apply directly or reach out for a confidential discussion.
