Dairy Member Relations Manager

General Purpose

Work with field representatives providing them with direct personal contact, on-the-job training, encouragement, and support. Assist in designing and administering producer payment programs that allow DFA to remain competitive in the market area. Strive to ensure field representative activities are administered uniformly across the market area and reflect and support Area and DFA goals, strategies, and values. Ensure that DFA members receive the highest level of professional field service available.

Job Duties and ResponsibilitiES

• Work directly with field representatives to monitor member milk quality and address deviations in milk quality
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies and programs to handle emerging issues promptly and effectively
• Work with field staff to fill out paperwork promptly and accurately and submit according to deadlines
• Receive and respond promptly to all member communications. Ensure that issues are resolved rapidly and at the lowest level possible
• Coordinate with other departments to maintain regular contact with customer plant personnel to monitor milk quality, shrinkage levels, and receiving operations. Coordinate corrective measures and responses with the other affected departments within the Area
• Coordinate with other departments to maintain regular contact with haulers and address issues as needed
• Coordinate with field services team on response to membership cancellation notices and, when appropriate, intervene personally in the effort to retain members within the Cooperative
• Develop and implement solicitation strategies and programs to increase the Area's market share of producers/milk volume, as needed
• Review member pay prices monthly and recommend any changes necessary to senior management
• Monitor over-order producer payment programs and recommend possible changes to senior management
• Alert senior management and other affected departments of significant developments in the Area affecting relationships with haulers, customers, competitors, regulatory agencies, or the public
• Stay abreast of industry news and events, and represent DFA and the Area at industry and public events
• Recommend regular training and development activities for the field staff to enhance their personal growth/job satisfaction and provide higher levels of professional field service to members
• Ensure the success of DFA meetings by assisting in planning, encouraging producers to attend, and participating in them as appropriate
• Maintain field work of assigned farmers in own assigned geography
• 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

• Undergraduate degree in agriculture, agri-business, animal science, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 5 to 8 years of field representative, dairy farming, dairy industry, or related experience coupled with demonstrated leadership attributes, team leadership, or supervisory experience; 1+ year of management experience preferred
• Certification and/or License - Certified Milk Inspector, Sampler's License, FARM Evaluator Training, Valid Driver's License; additional certifications and/or licenses may be required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management
• People leadership skills
• Able to demonstrate technical knowledge gained through specialized training and experience in all aspects of milk production such as milking system evaluation, cleaning and sanitizing evaluation, mastitis prevention, milk hauling, milk marketing, milk quality troubleshooting, and membership solicitation
• Able to consistently show strong customer service attitude/focus and a sincere desire to help dairy farms succeed
• Able to adapt and manage to change effectively
• Able to anticipate and recommend needed changes
• Able to develop and maintain a wide network of strategic internal and external relationships to build confidence, trust, and respect with others and to increase competitive advantage
• Able to exchange information in a clear, concise manner appropriate for the audience; able to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization
• Able to focus efforts on understanding and meeting internal and external customer needs
• Able to analyze relevant information and alternatives to reach conclusions that are in the best interests of DFA
• Able to continually drive for success; set high expectations for personal and organizational performance and work efficiently and creatively to meet goals
• Able to identify, analyze, and solve or lead others in the resolution of problems, considering all relevant factors, to reach optimum solutions in a timely manner
• Able to create work results that are timely, accurate, thorough, and consistent while ensuring at all times that established standards are met or exceeded
• Able to treat others with respect; promote a positive, collaborative, and constructive culture; and actively lead shared/team goals
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

An Equal Opportunity Employer