North Valley Farms is a family-owned dairy operation located in Shepherd, MI, with a legacy dating back to the 1950s. Today, we milk approximately 1,600 Holstein cows and care for nearly 3,000 head of cattle on-site. In addition to our dairy operation, we farm over 3,000 acres of corn, alfalfa, and wheat - producing high-quality feed that supports our herd and closes the loop on sustainability.
Built on generations of hard work and integrity, North Valley Farms is committed to excellence in animal care, operational efficiency, and employee development. Our leadership team is hands-on, approachable, and focused on creating a respectful, team-oriented work environment where employees are valued and supported. As we continue to grow, we are investing in strong management to enhance both our people and our processes.
Position Overview
North Valley Farms is seeking an experienced Dairy Parlor Manager to oversee daily operations within our milking parlor and lead a team of employees to ensure efficiency, consistency, and exceptional animal care. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for someone passionate about dairy management, team development, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and lead all milking parlor staff (approximately 12 direct reports)
- Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing performance management
- Develop and manage employee schedules, including tracking time off and attendance
- Maintain parlor inventory (chemicals, iodine, parts, and supplies)
- Ensure proper maintenance and upkeep of parlor equipment
- Monitor and perform routine maintenance on barns, including fans, gates, drinkers, and alley scrapers
- Support herd health and reproduction efforts, including:
- Breeding and heat detection
- Sorting cattle
- Administering treatments and diagnosing health issues
- Collaborate closely with the herd manager and overall farm leadership
- Utilize dairy management software systems such as AFI, CowManager, and PCDart (preferred)
- Participate in an on-call rotation for nights and weekends
Qualifications
- 3–5+ years of management experience in dairy or agriculture
- Degree in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Ag Business, or related field preferred
- Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Hands-on mindset with a willingness to work alongside the team
- Detail-oriented, reliable, and self-motivated
- High standards for animal care and team accountability
- Interest in long-term career growth within a dairy operation
Work Schedule
- Typically 5 days per week
- 6 days per week during peak seasons
- On-call responsibilities shared with farm management
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Paid vacation
- Yearly bonus
- Christmas bonus: Employees are gifted 1/4 of a steer (freezer beef) after completing one year of employment.
- 401(k) plan
- Clothing allowance
Why Join North Valley Farms?
- Be part of a multi-generational, family-run dairy with a strong reputation
- Work in a modern, large-scale dairy operation with integrated crop production
- Opportunity to grow into a key leadership role
- Supportive, respectful team culture focused on continuous improvement
