Milk Marketing Director

General Purpose:

Execute marketing strategies that are developed through close collaboration with the vice president of sales and marketing (VPSM) within the Mideast Area (MEA) to achieve the goals and objectives for the sales, marketing and business plans. Ensure that the primary focus of maintaining and increasing customer satisfaction by ensuring that incoming raw milk quality, butterfat/milk weight variance and delivery performance consistently meets or exceeds customer expectations. Ensure that all customer issues are communicated to appropriate individuals, receive a prompt response and are successfully resolved. Develop, lead and support initiatives consistent with the expectations and guidance of the VPSM and serve as an effective liaison and team leader working with all the disciplines involved, including logistics, hauling, logistics planning, plant and membership to ensure excellent and consistent customer service, including sales and marketing strategy implementation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage customer relationships in the region from contract negotiation, reporting, market support and education of team members. Interact with customers daily, addressing their needs in a manner that provides superior and professional customer service and builds positive relationship for the ultimate benefit of our member owners
• Interact and facilitate regular communication with broader team members within marketing and operations to identify, understand, communicate and resolve any issues related to customer plants and customer relationships
• Participate with the VPSM and broader management team members in the development of business management, marketing and sales strategies
• Direct, coach, counsel, motivate and evaluate the performance of customer account representatives on a continuous basis relying heavily on firsthand observation to ensure that their actions reflect and support DFA values and goals
• Function as the key communications liaison between customers and the MEA management team, logistics planning, hauling, field service and accounting functions ensuring that critical information flows to/from all and that customer service issues receive prompt attention and response
• Continuously monitor raw milk quality, butterfat/milk weight variance, load rejections and delivery performance at all assigned plants to help ensure that milk deliveries conform to the customer's receiving standards. Alert the appropriate MEA staff to emerging issues.
• Research and respond to all inquiries, requests and concerns received from plant personnel and others regarding pricing concerns, URC programs, milk quality and delivery, customer service/satisfaction issues, industry news/events, product specifications and certifications and DFA policies/programs
• Research emerging trends/regulations/issues that may impact DFA's ability to serve the assigned customers efficiently and profitably. Develop/recommend strategies to address the potential impact
• Function as a key staff member to provide information and make sales/marketing presentations to the Mideast Area Council (MEAC) and management team
• Participate in management meetings and special project assignments as defined
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee; but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field with 10 years of commensurate training and experience or 15 years of sales and marketing management experience
• Proven capability in positive customer development, sales contract negotiation and execution, extensive experience in customer relations and proactive problem resolution

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good computer skills including knowledge of spreadsheets and word processing
• Analytical and strong business acumen
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills. Genuine, sincere and approachable personality
• Strong negotiation and project management skills
• Energized by people, versatile, driven, adaptable and outstanding work ethic
• Ability to speak publicly and present to large groups
• Experience working, leading and building high performance teams and process improvement initiatives
• Executive level written and verbal communication skills
• Continuous improvement mentality
• Outgoing, entrepreneurial, self-motivated, with flexibility to respond to a host of challenges
• Accustomed to working on multiple tasks personally, building strong team collaboration and tracking performance checkpoints
• Persuasive and tenacious in relationships while maintaining professional standards of conduct and strong employee focus
• Ability to prioritize complex objectives, manage multiple projects, change priorities when needed and be action-oriented
• Ability to analyze, problem solve and make decision using tools and processes
• Ability to interact with all levels of management
• Professional in appearance and conduct with employees and customers
• Willingness to take detailed direction while also being able to effectively adapt and to be self-managing
• Valid driver's license with no significant restrictions or violations
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

Travel

• 25%-50% (up to 1 week per month)

An Equal Opportunity Employer