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 Western Dairy Center (WDC) is located in the C. Anthon Ernstrom Nutrition and Food Science building on the Logan campus of Utah State University. The WDC coordinator will be responsible for providing logistic and marketing support to the WDC for dairy industry outreach activities and coordinating dairy research for the center with Dairy Product Laboratory and faculty members in the department.  The Western Dairy Center (WDC) is the dairy industry outreach wing of the NDFS department supported by the regional dairy check-off program (Dairy West) and regional dairy industry. It is one of the six national dairy foods research centers established in 1987 by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. The WDC serves as a collaborative network of universities, researchers, students, and dairy organizations and companies across the Western region of the United States. WDC plays a critical role in strengthening dairy science research, education and outreach programs in the NDFS department and across the region. In addition, the WDC facilitates engagement with the dairy food industry, and reflects the department’s commitment to supporting a safe and wholesome food supply through science and innovation.

The WDC coordinator will report to the Director of the Western Dairy Center and will work in co-ordination with Dairy Production lab, departmental faculty members and BUILD dairy coordinator.

General responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate all aspects of the WDC programs including short courses, workshops, training, industry consultancy and services This includes organizing logistics for WDC short courses, workshops, managing reimbursements, settling expenses, etc.

• Serve as the primary contact for all stakeholders, ensuring effective information dissemination.

• Gather information from various partners (e.g., BUILD dairy, DPL, etc.) and help WDC director WDC to prepare reports for various stakeholders.

• Coordinate with the Department Business Manager on financial activities, including invoicing dairy partners, tracking WDC funds, and preparing financial reports.

• Manage 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 and communicate to the faculty members concerned and industry clients.

• Coordinate and schedule the use of equipment in the DPL with DPL manager for faculty, staff, students, and people external to the university who may be attending a short-course or contracting with the DPL for use of equipment.

• Operate research equipment in the DPL including the equipment needed to make 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 the WDC research.

• Collaborate with faculty, extension personnel, and industry stakeholders.

• Contribute to annual program planning and reporting.

• Other duties as assigned by the Director, Western Dairy Center or Department Head to support the operations of the center or the DPL.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, dairy Science or a related science.
• Experience in program co-ordination, pilot scale trial management.
• Ability to communicate at a technical and non-technical level, with university faculty, staff, students and community members.
• Ability to work independently and in team situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Food Science, Dairy Science or related science.
• Experience in an industrial setting involving the manufacture of dairy foods such as ice cream, cheese, pasteurized milk, cream, and yogurt.
• Experience in the business aspects surrounding industrial dairy processing including personnel management.
• Experience in running dairy processing equipment in safe environment.
• Demonstrated ability in preparing and delivering technical information through formal and informal learning situations.
• Experience in organizing logistics for teaching short courses, workshops, etc.   

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

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*updated 12/2025

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For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

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*updated 10/2025