Dairy Farm Director

Dairy Farm Director Industry: Dairy Production & Livestock Lead a High-Impact Dairy Operation, Reporting Directly to the CEOStep 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 OpportunityA 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 PurposeThe 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 ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute the dairy farm's strategic operating plan aligned with milk production and business targetsOversee animal husbandry practices: breeding, nutrition, milking protocols, health management, and welfare standards across the herdLead veterinary oversight — disease prevention, biosecurity protocols, herd health monitoring, and treatment programsMonitor and optimize milk yield, quality, and milking parlour/dairy processing operationsManage farm infrastructure, equipment, and facility upkeep to ensure operational continuityBuild and lead a multi-disciplinary farm team (veterinary, husbandry, milking, labour, maintenance); set KPIs and performance standardsEnsure full compliance with animal welfare regulations, dairy/food safety standards, and relevant government authority requirementsManage farm budgets, resource planning, and vendor/supplier relationships (feed, veterinary supplies, dairy equipment)Drive continuous improvement in milk yield, animal health outcomes, and operational efficiencyMaintain accurate records for herd health, milk production, and regulatory audits/inspectionsAct as the primary point of accountability for dairy farm operations to senior leadershipDesign 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 escalateCandidate RequirementsEducationMaster's degree in Veterinary Science / Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent) mandatoryAdditional qualification in Animal Husbandry, Farm Management, or Livestock Science is an advantageMBA in Agribusiness Management, Operations Management, or a related discipline will be preferredExperienceMinimum 15 years of overall experience in dairy farm operations, veterinary practice, or livestock/dairy productionMinimum 8 years in a Manager / Leadership role with direct P&L, team, and operational accountabilityProven track record managing large-scale dairy farms — herd health, milk production, breeding programs, and farm operationsGCC experience strongly preferred; familiarity with regional dairy/livestock regulations and climate-specific husbandry practicesTechnical & Functional ExpertiseStrong command of animal husbandry principles: nutrition, breeding, reproduction, milking management, and welfareVeterinary clinical expertise — disease diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care programsBiosecurity and farm hygiene protocol design and enforcementDairy farm operations management: milking systems, infrastructure, equipment, labour planning, and budgetingWorking knowledge of animal welfare and dairy/food safety regulatory frameworksData-driven decision-making — milk production reporting, herd performance tracking, KPI managementProven 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 complianceLeadership CompetenciesProven ability to lead diverse, multicultural, and multilingual farm teamsStrategic thinker with hands-on operational execution capabilityStrong stakeholder management and cross-functional coordinationCrisis and risk management — able to respond decisively to health, welfare, or operational incidentsAdditional DetailsReporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Span of Control: Approx. 500 employees, including frontline workforce, veterinarians, managers, and operational staffRelocation: Candidates based in Dubai / GCC preferred; relocation support to be discussed for exceptional candidates outside the regionConfidentiality: Company identity will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates onlyInterested candidates meeting the above criteria may apply directly or reach out for a confidential discussion.