Dairy Financial Consultant (Grand Rapids)

AgriGrowth Solutions – Financial Consultant – Remote

The Financial Consultant role will serve as the primary advisor and point of contact for agricultural businesses, delivering financial advice and information directly to clients. While the Consulting Analyst collects, organizes and analyzes client financial information, the Consultant interprets that analysis, presents it to clients and guides their business decisions. This role will be a remote position with regular travel to client operations and will lead a portfolio of clients as a valuable member of the financial consulting team.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Client Advisory and Financial Consulting (60%)

- Serves as the primary advisor and point of contact for an assigned portfolio of AgriGrowth Solutions dairy and agricultural clients.

- Leads quarterly financial review meetings with clients, on-farm and by video conference, presenting results and explaining what they mean for the business.

- Interprets financial statements, ratios, benchmarks and key performance indicator (KPI) scorecards, and translates them into clear, actionable recommendations.

- Leads annual budgeting with clients, setting realistic financial and production targets alongside owners and managers.

- Delivers partial budgets, expansion and feasibility analyses, asset management models and special project analyses to help clients evaluate major decisions.

- Advises clients on new and diversified revenue streams, such as beef-on-dairy, renewable natural gas (RNG) and value-added milk processing.

- Assists clients with long-range financial planning, including cash flow, debt structure, capital investment and business transition considerations.

- Collaborates with the client's other advisors, including lender, veterinarian, nutritionist and accountant, to align recommendations.

Analyst Oversight and Quality Review (15%)

- Directs Consulting Analysts on data collection, report preparation and project priorities for the Consultant's clients.

- Reviews analyst-prepared quarterly close-outs, budgets and reports for accuracy and completeness before client delivery.

- Mentors analysts on dairy financial analysis and client communication, building their readiness for client-facing work.

Client Education and Business Development (15%)

- Builds client financial literacy, coaching owners and managers on reading financial statements, tracking cost of production and using KPIs to manage the business.

- Develops and presents at client and prospect education events, workshops and industry meetings.

- Identifies new client opportunities and expands services with existing clients, in coordination with the Business Development Director.

Personal and Professional Growth (10%)

- Represents AgriGrowth Solutions at industry events, conferences and producer organizations.

- Stays abreast of dairy markets, ag lending, tax and policy changes, and financial management best practices.

- Contributes to the development of new consulting services, tools and reporting templates.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Business, Dairy or Animal Science, Accounting, Management, Finance, or experience of the like. Master's degree preferred.

- 3-5 years of experience in dairy or agricultural financial consulting, agricultural lending, farm financial management, or a related advisory role (experience as a dairy CFO, controller, or ag lender preferred).

- Demonstrated experience presenting financial information and recommendations to business owners.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

- In-depth knowledge of dairy production and management, including feed costs and inventory, cropping and agronomy, herd management, housing and labor.

- Strong command of financial statements, accrual vs. cash accounting, financial ratios, benchmarking, cost of production and cash flow analysis.

- Ability to build and explain budgets, partial budgets, feasibility studies and long-range financial projections.

- Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex financial results in plain language to owners, family members, managers and lenders.

- Sound judgment in advising on major business decisions, and the confidence to deliver difficult news and recommendations tactfully.

- Ability to build trust and long-term relationships with clients and their advisory teams.

- Ability to manage a client portfolio, set priorities and direct analyst support.

- Advanced skills in Microsoft 365, especially Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive.

- Ability to work independently in a remote environment and travel regularly to client operations, including occasional overnight travel.

- Valid driver's license.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

- Salary: $90,000 - $140,000 depending on experience, plus performance-based bonus

- Employer-subsidized health insurance

- 401K with 5% employer match

- Discretionary paid time off and sick leave (expectation of approximately 4 weeks, focused on non-peak work periods)

- Employer-supplied computer workstation

- Stipend for business use of personal cellular device

- Reimbursement for all business-related travel