Assoc. Professor - Sociology jobs in Ann Arbor, MI

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is seeking an experienced Sustainability Manager. In this role you will ensure the marketability of members' milk by offering comprehensive services tied to MMPA's sustainability initiatives. You will collaborate with our dairy processing facilities, corporate office, customers, and plant teams to drive sustainability efforts, including environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and animal welfare. Key responsibilities include conducting life cycle assessments (LCA) and calculating carbon footprints for various products and processes.

About Us: 

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) – established in 1916 – is a dairy farmer-owned and operated milk marketing cooperative and dairy processor. As the 10th largest dairy cooperative in the U.S., MMPA serves dairy farmers throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana, employing approximately 625 people in four states. In addition to a cheese plant in Indiana called the Middlebury Cheese Company, and a dairy product plant in Ohio called Superior Dairy, MMPA operates two SQF Level 3 dairy ingredient plants in Michigan. Products made at MMPA’s plants include fluid milk, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, and condensed skim milk.

Why you’ll love working here:

• Competitive salary
• health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Sheild, including mental health benefits
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement including 401k with employer contributions
• Personal and professional growth opportunities
• Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Employees feedback and suggestion forums 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides information as needed to assure a clear direction in MMPA’s sustainability initiatives

• Communicates sustainability related information with key customers and sustainability partners through in person or virtual meetings.
• Remains up to date on current and future sustainability trends by monitoring industry trade journals, working with industry partners, and participating in appropriate conferences and webinars such as: National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), Newtrient, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy
• Assists with the development and representation of MMPA’s position on sustainability issues
• Assists members in relaying their sustainability story in a manner that satisfies customer initiatives and expectations
• Answers customer’s sustainability related questionnaires
• Works with customers and NGOs to determine feasibility and subsequent implementation of sustainability projects
• Aggregates member, plant, and corporate sustainability data to generate MMPA’s Cooperative Sustainability Report
• Coordinates with MMPA’s dairy plant teams to develop initiatives to drive dairy plant sustainability in the areas of GHG emissions, waste reduction, water use reduction, recycling efforts, development of sustainable packaging, and workforce development
• Delineates how dairy processing initiatives advances corporate sustainability initiatives
• Directs corporate and dairy processing sustainability reporting through industry accepted tools such as Intelex

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental or Biological Sciences or related field
• Agricultural product related experience is desired, but not required
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities is required. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving mentality and consultative skills
• Proven track record of working in a team environment

• Ability to travel outside and within the state approximately 40% of the time

• Proficient in MS Office suite

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

MMPA is an equal opportunity employer.