Western Dairy Center Program Coordinator

Overview

The Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences (NDFS) has an opening for the professional soft‑funded position of Western Dairy Center Program Coordinator. The WDC coordinator will provide logistic and marketing support to the WDC for dairy industry outreach activities and coordinate dairy research for the center with the Dairy Product Laboratory and department faculty. The coordinator will report to the Director of the Western Dairy Center and work in coordination with the Dairy Production Lab, departmental faculty members, and BUILD dairy coordinator.

• Coordinate all aspects of the WDC programs, including short courses, workshops, training, industry consultancy and services, and manage logistics, reimbursements, and expenses.
• Serve as the primary contact for all stakeholders, ensuring effective information dissemination.
• Gather information from partners (e.g., BUILD dairy, DPL) and help prepare reports for stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the Department Business Manager on financial activities, including invoicing dairy partners, tracking WDC funds, and preparing financial reports.
• Manage the WDC website, update information, and create branding material.
• Help conduct cost analysis of research and outreach activities run through the center on a yearly basis in coordination with the Department Business Manager and DPL Manager.
• Coordinate and schedule use of equipment in the DPL with the DPL manager for faculty, staff, students, and external participants.
• Operate research equipment in the DPL, including equipment needed to produce cheese, ultrafiltration, yogurt, etc.
• Design and conduct applied dairy research addressing regional processing challenges contracted through the WDC.
• Help develop and submit competitive grant proposals.
• Help manage externally funded WDC research projects and budgets.
• Prepare technical reports and extension publications and assist in the preparation of peer‑reviewed manuscripts from WDC research.
• Collaborate with faculty, extension personnel, and industry stakeholders.
• Contribute to annual program planning and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the Western Dairy Center or Department Head to support the operations of the center or the DPL.

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, dairy science, or a related science.
• Experience in program coordination and pilot‑scale trial management.
• Strong communication skills at both technical and non‑technical levels, with faculty, staff, students, and community members.
• Ability to work independently and in team settings.
• Graduate degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, or related science (preferred).
• Experience in an industrial dairy food setting such as ice cream, cheese, pasteurized milk, cream, and yogurt (preferred).
• Experience with the business aspects of dairy processing, including personnel management (preferred).
• Experience operating dairy processing equipment in a safe environment (preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver technical information in formal and informal learning settings (preferred).
• Experience organizing logistics for short courses, workshops, etc. (preferred).

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Utah State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Qualified applicants who require an accommodation are encouraged to contact the University’s ADA Coordinator.