Producer Relations Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt (Salaried)

Employment Type: Full time

Company Information

Select Milk Producers is one of the nation’s largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with 116 family-owned dairies, 20 wholly owned subsidiaries, nine processing plants, and seven joint ventures with other major food/beverage producers including Coca-Cola. Established in 1994, Select Milk Producers markets and processes milk from member dairies’ in the Southwest and the upper Mid-West. Headquartered in Dallas, the company has earned a reputation for innovation in several areas including animal health, environmental stewardship, and overall business practices including new product development (see our popular “fairlife” product). With over 650 employees, Select Milk generated $2 billion in annual revenue and produced over 9.5 billion pounds of milk last year.

Position Overview

It’s an exciting time at Select Milk Producers as we look to take an already successful enterprise and grow it to the next level. The selected candidate will serve as the primary point person for building and maintaining relationships with our valued Producers. The Producer Relations Manager (PRM) will manage a full range of Producer-related issues, concerns, and challenges on behalf of the Co-op. They are expected to collaborate closely with Producers and corporate staff.

We are seeking a well-rounded PRM with in-depth dairy industry experience and knowledge of milk production operations, logistics/hauling activities, Producer payroll, exposure to industry best practices, and Co-op organizational structure. This person’s primary focus will be to respond to the needs, problems, and concerns of our Producers and support Co-op operations changes at the Producer operations. They will be critical conduit for communication to Producers. The candidate must exhibit exceptional communication and customer relation skills, as well as strong analytic and problem-solving abilities that enable them to effectively identify underlying issues and concerns and address them effectively and appropriately.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between SMP Producers and the corporate office, facilitating communication regarding the full scope of Co-op activities impacting them.
• Build rapport with Producers through on-farm visits, educating, advising, and creating lasting business relationships.
• Manage incoming inquiries (calls, emails, texts, etc.) to provide operational expertise, share industry and organizational best practices, troubleshoot complex situations, and resolve service issues.
• Lead education and re-training related to Producers expectations of current and changing Co-op operations.
• Monitor producer quality and track quality challenges; communicate observed issues and provide support to improve their quality.
• Keep abreast of dairy industry news, current agriculture issues, and Co-op activities.
• Attend SMP and industry meetings and events as requested; assist with preparations as needed.
• Assist with Producer announcements, Co-op updates and upcoming events, etc.
• Prepare reports and spreadsheets, as requested.
• Assist dairy Producers in other areas relevant to the Co-op’s role.
• Be knowledgeable of all Co-op, Federal, and State regulations and customer requirements to ensure Producer compliance.
• Determine the optimum communication channels for Producers.
• Provide input and oversight into the analysis and review of communication technology solutions.
• Other related tasks and projects as assigned.

Competencies & Characteristics Required

To effectively perform the duties this position, individuals must be able to demonstrate a number of competencies and characteristics which include:

• Successful history of managing relationships, diagnosing client needs and recommending dynamic and complex solutions.
• Well-honed skills communicating and presenting complex concepts and ideas in a way that is intuitive for Producers to digest.
• Must be comfortable managing conflict while maintaining a high level of integrity and quality of work.
• Strong analytical and meticulous aptitude applying advanced knowledge of business protocols and metrics; a high degree of accuracy is required.
• Must be able to effectively read and interpret information, present numerical data in a resourceful manner, and skillfully gather and analyze information.
• Experience with and desire to work in a team environment.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a diverse business community, calling on and influencing people without direct authority over them.
• Must have the ability to collaborate and influence cross-functionally, and provide leadership and direction to others.
• Ability to thoughtfully exercise judgment and reasoning to improve communication, processes, and advance the greater good of the Co-op.
• Proficient in Microsoft office suite as well as other forms of communication and social media.
• Ability to prioritize, plan and problem solve to deliver results; ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
• Ability to travel up to 80%.
• Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction, and improve performance through management feedback.

Personal Characteristics

• Has a genuine interest and desire to better understand the dairy industry and how to help the dairy supply chain work smoothly.
• Demonstrates well-rounded experience that comes from starting at the bottom and working their way up, willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done.
• Possesses ability see the “big picture” and a willingness to dive into “the details.”
• Is comfortable operating in and even prefer a leaner, more hands-on environment.
• Reflects high energy and is a highly motivated person.
• Is a person of high character; is consistent and acts in line with a clear and visible set of values and beliefs; deals and talks straight; walks his/her talk; is direct and truthful but at the same time can keep confidences.
• Shows initiative and willingness to closely partner with Producers, other Co-op staff and executive leaders on projects to achieve results.
• Possesses unquestionable business ethics, personal integrity and a genuine commitment to the Co-op’s values.

Required Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in business, agriculture, communications, or other related field; MBA would be an asset but not required.
• 10+ years of dairy industry experience.

Minimum Requirements

• Must successfully complete pre-employment drug test and a background check.
• Must have proof of legal authorization to work in USA.

Physical Requirements

• May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time and demonstrate manual dexterity while performing job duties.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk, see, and hear; use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to concentrate for extended periods of time, paying attention to detail.
• Requires constant operation of standard office machines, including computer.
• Requires frequent ability to move freely about the office building and farm properties.

Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works both inside and outside, and is frequently exposed to cold, extreme heat, wet and/or humid environment.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to cluttered and slippery floor surfaces, and contact with sharp objects, skin irritants, hazardous cleaning solutions, hazardous equipment (mechanical moving parts), and nuisance dust, fumes, and sprays.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

Additional Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Employees are expected to perform duties assigned and directed by management, which may be modified when deemed appropriate by management.

Select Milk Producers and its subsidiaries offer an attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that can be tailored for you and your family. We are proud to promote an equal employment opportunity workplace and a drug free workplace.

Select Milk Producers