Veterinary Officer – Embu, Kenya | Brown’s Food Co.

Veterinary Officer – Embu, Kenya | Brown’s Food Co.

Job Title: Veterinary Officer

Location: Embu, Kenya
Company: Brown’s Food Co.
Job Type: Full-time
Application Deadline: September 23, 2024

Company Overview

Brown’s Food Co. is a dynamic and rapidly growing natural food brand in Kenya. Established over 40 years ago, we are renowned for producing premium artisan cheese under the Brown’s Cheese brand. As pioneers in crafting wholesome and delicious foods, we source diverse local ingredients to create exceptional food products. Our food campus is home to several departments, including a sourdough bakery, vegan product range, alternative grain flour mill, dairy, ice cream production, farm-to-table restaurant, organic farm, and a living food lab classroom. At Brown’s Food Co., our mission is to bring Nature’s Bounty to life by crafting high-quality, natural food products.

Job Summary

Brown’s Food Co. is currently recruiting a full-time Veterinary Officer to oversee the milk collection process, farmers’ recruitment, and support farm operations. The Veterinary Officer will be responsible for ensuring milk quality and quantity at the cooling plants and providing on-site support to farmers. This role includes developing farmer visitation schedules, conducting farmers’ training, and addressing milk quality concerns. The Veterinary Officer will also enforce quality assurance protocols and maintain up-to-date preventive maintenance schedules for the milk collection centers.

Key Responsibilities

• Milk Collection and Farmer Recruitment: Lead efforts to recruit farmers and ensure consistent and high-quality milk supplies.
• Milk Quality and Quantity Control: Oversee daily operations at the milk cooling plants, ensuring optimal efficiency in milk quality and quantity.
• Farmers’ Training and Support: Develop and coordinate training programs for farmers, aimed at improving animal health, welfare, and milk production.
• Building Rapport with Farmers: Implement an up-to-date farmer visitation schedule to strengthen relationships with milk suppliers, ensuring long-term partnerships.
• Quality Assurance: Enforce quality assurance protocols at assigned cooling plants to maintain high standards of milk safety and quality.
• Preventive Maintenance: Ensure preventive maintenance is carried out at the milk cooling centers to prevent breakdowns and maintain plant functionality.
• Advisory and Consultation: Provide expert advisory services to farmers on animal welfare, health management, and improving milk quality. Offer guidance on best practices for cow health and well-being.
• Growth of Farmer Base: Continuously recruit new farmers to expand the milk supplier base and enhance production capacity.
• Support Milk Traders: Work closely with milk traders to resolve any concerns related to milk quality and ensure a smooth collection process.

Location

The Veterinary Officer position is based at the Mufu and Kirimiri Milk Collection Centers in Runyenjes Town, Embu County.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Health Management or Veterinary Medicine.
• At least 2 years of experience working in a similar role, preferably within a dairy farm environment.
• Valid Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) license required.
• Strong ability to make independent, objective decisions, with a clear understanding of when to escalate critical issues.
• Passion for animal welfare, particularly cows.
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant regulatory standards in the dairy industry.
• Leadership Skills: Ability to lead, train, and mentor others, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration.
• Proficiency in animal breeding and nutrition is an added advantage.
• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Valid driver’s license with the ability to travel frequently to various farm locations.

Professional Skills

• Expert knowledge in dairy farm operations, specifically milk collection, quality control, and farmer support.
• Strong understanding of veterinary protocols and animal welfare practices, especially related to dairy cows.
• Experience with implementing preventive maintenance schedules for farm and collection center equipment.
• Training and development: Proven experience in creating and conducting effective training programs for farmers and staff.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit their CV, including the names of three references and salary expectations, to hrasst@brownsfoodco.com, with a copy to hr@brownsfoodco.com and vet@brownsfoodco.com. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further interviews. Please ensure that your application is submitted by September 23, 2024.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity Statement

Brown’s Food Co. is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity within our workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for this role and become part of our team.

Company Culture

At Brown’s Food Co., we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and collaborative working environment. Our team is passionate about sustainability, innovation, and producing high-quality natural foods. Joining our company means becoming part of a community committed to excellence and making a positive impact on local agriculture and animal welfare.

Unique Value Proposition

Working with Brown’s Food Co. offers the opportunity to contribute to the animal health and dairy industry in Kenya while supporting the well-being of farmers and their livestock. The role also provides a platform for professional growth and the chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of farmers and the local community.

TELEGRAM CHANNEL

This Veterinary Officer position provides an exciting opportunity to impact both the local farming community and animal health within the dairy industry. If you meet the qualifications and have a passion for animal welfare and veterinary science, we encourage you to apply and become part of the Brown’s Food Co. team.

Feel free to share this job opportunity with anyone you know who may be interested. Together, we can ensure the best talent joins our team and contributes to our mission of creating wholesome and delicious foods from nature’s bounty.