Field Representative I

General Purpose

Provide regular personal contact and service to all farmer owners within a field territory in order to maintain and grow the milk supply, ensure a continuous interstate milk shippers (IMS) rated farm supply of milk, improve the quality of milk, help resolve quality issues on the farm, and administer Area policies and programs at the farmer owner level. Promote value-added programs and services and important Cooperative initiatives. Communicate regularly and effectively with the membership management team. Actively support and promote DFA in the community.

This position will include coverage of three states: Southeast Minnesota, Southwest Wisconsin, and Iowa.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance relationships with farmer owners in assigned area. Serve as a strong advocate for the total value of cooperative membership
• Provide valued-added advice and guidance as well as technical direction to farmer owners on all matters concerning milk production, productivity, quality, facility sanitation, and safety issues
• Complete FARM evaluations with farmer owners in assigned territory by the evaluation due date; maintain FARM evaluator certification.
• Assist farmer owners in preparation for regulatory inspections to meet state, regional, federal, and industry requirements
• Develop working knowledge of the following areas to include (but not limited to):
  • Federal orders, milk pricing, PMO (Pasteurized Milk Ordinance), and state regulations
  • Regulatory and laboratory testing requirements and procedures including proper sampling techniques
  • Drug residues and information related to approved drugs
  • Milking system designs and the cleaning and maintenance of the systems
  • Water systems design, sources, issues affecting quality, and treatment options
  • Transportation of milk including pick up and unloading
  • Industry issues and cooperative initiatives
• Promote the overall value of Farm Services by recommending and endorsing the utilization of the appropriate services. Remain current on all Farm Services resources and offerings available to farmer owners
• Serve as the area leader and focal point for relationships with important industry contacts, key community leaders, relations with processors, and other cooperatives
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with DFA's stakeholders, including members and non-members, haulers, appropriate milk plant personnel, and regulatory authorities throughout the assigned area
• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to learn technical knowledge gained through 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 prepare for business needs and complete assignments and initiatives
• Able to adjust approach to accommodate changing situations and respond resourcefully to new demands or circumstances
• 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 performance and work efficiently and creatively to meet goals
• Able to impact the perceptions and decisions of others to advance the interests of the business
• Able to identify, analyze, and solve 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 contribute to shared/team goals
• Able to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; able to write routine reports and correspondence
• Able to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume; able to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
• Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; able to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems
• Must be able to read, write and speak English
• Requires daily travel within field territory working out of a home office
• Ideal candidate would be based in central Minnesota

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in agriculture, agri-business, animal science, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
• 1 to 2 years of experience in dairy farming, dairy industry, or related field
• Certification and/or License -Field representative sampler's license in MN,SD and ND, FARM Evaluator Certification, Valid Driver's License; additional certifications and/or licenses may be required

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans