Dairy & Livestock Risk Management Associate

Description/Job Summary

Join a team focused on the success of our customers, the success of our communities, and the success of each other. Crop Growers is the leading provider of crop insurance risk management solutions to growers in the northeast. Crop Growers is the crop insurance business unit of Farm Credit East, a longstanding provider of loans and financial accounting services to farmers, foresters, fishermen, and agricultural business owners across the northeast with over $14.3 billion in loan volume and $29 million in financial accounting service revenue generated annually. When you pursue a career with Crop Growers and Farm Credit East, you have the opportunity to positively impact the families and businesses that drive the Northeast economy.

The Dairy & Livestock Risk Management Associate is a customer focused role serving in a relationship management capacity to represent the Association with both existing and prospective customers. This person delivers a personalized experience for Farm Credit East customers and employs a proactive versus reactive approach to exceed the customer's expectations. The Dairy & Livestock Risk Management Associate prioritizes and aligns their approach to customer service based on customer segmentation in lieu of a one-size-fits-all approach.

The value drivers for this role are as follows:

• Promotes FCE growth with new and existing customers through value-add interactions and high visibility in the community and on the farm.
• Cements customer relationships with a consultative approach driving sustainability for both the customer and the Association.
• Supports Farm Credit East crop insurance staff in developing livestock product knowledge while assisting in marketing to local dairy and livestock producers to grow the business.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Business Development

• Achieve growth targets by performing business development activities that expand existing customer relationships and bring new customers to the Association
• Prioritizes high value add interactions with customers day in and day out through active relationships and sound customer understanding
• Promotes the FCE brand in their region
• Builds and nurtures Centers of Influence (community presence, network, and external partners) to generate new referrals
• Manages the day-to-day customer relationships of livestock crop insurance
• Proactively manages the book of business by understanding and analyzing industry trends, market data, and customer knowledge leading to a consultative risk management approach
• Positions a team approach serving as the lead for all customer facing activities with support from fellow crop insurance agents
• Develops expertise and working knowledge within Ag segments, serving as a Trusted Advisor
• Works collaboratively with teammates while embracing transformation to generate a best-in-class customer experience utilizing the documented 360-degree customer view to drive cross-selling results across the Association

Education (Internal and External)

• Hosts internal livestock education for Association staff "Dairy Summits" two times a year
• Hosts livestock education webinars for dairy producers and Association staff annually
• Develops commodity options knowledge through active learning and attending seminars
• Completes livestock market analysis to determine target market areas with Association staff
• Provides back-up customer support to Crop Growers agents in their absence
• Manages customer and prospect communication through livestock (800) number and email
• Works collaboratively with Crop Growers staff to market and educate livestock producers
• Works collaboratively with Association credit, business consultants and financial services staff
• Collaborates with Farm Credit System livestock specialists
• Manages and grows existing relationships with commodity brokers
• Provides ongoing updates on market conditions and stay up to date on industry trends

Operational Excellence

• Works collaboratively with teammates to finalize all livestock indemnity payments in an expedited manner by leveraging direct deposit
• Monitors customer premium payments and works with agents and Association staff to ensure payments are made timely based Risk Management Agency requirements
• Provides functional reports to teammates to ensure livestock product requirements are met while conforming to Crop Growers policies and Risk Management Agency requirements

Job Qualifications and Requirements:

• This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agri-Business, Economics, Finance, Business or a related field.
• Property and Casualty License desired, but not required; if not already licensed, the successful candidate must obtain their license within the first six months of hire.
• This position requires regular travel within the specified territory to serve customers. Travel could be up to 50% depending on the time of year.
• We offer hybrid work options after two weeks of employment with Farm Credit East. Hybrid work options are determined based on job role and balancing the needs of the customers, the team, and individual work performance. This will be reviewed based on manager discretion.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary range: $55,000 - $80,000 commensurate with experience.
• Short Term Incentive to reward business results
• Retirement Contributions:
  • 401(k) match up to 6% of salary; or for those unable to take full advantage of the 401(k) match, verified student loan payments may qualify for an employer match in your 401(k) up to 6% of salary
  • Defined Contribution retirement plan funded at 2-9% of salary depending on years of service
• Time Off:
  • 15-25 days of vacation leave per year, depending on years of service
  • 12 days of holiday leave per year
  • 7.5 days of sick leave in your first year, followed by 12 days of sick leave per year thereafter; unlimited rollover of unused sick leave year to year
  • Paid Parental Leave: Up to 80 hours of paid leave for birthing, non-birthing, and adoptive parents
  • Family Care Leave: Additional leave options available under FMLA and company policy
• Health and Insurance:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including preventive care and wellness programs to support your overall health and well-being
  • Health Savings Account
  • Life insurance at 2x base pay
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance at 2x base pay
  • Long-term disability insurance at 2/3 base pay
• Additional Benefits:
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Continuing education and training
  • Employee Assistance Program offering a wide variety of tools and resources
• Benefits Eligibility:
  • Eligibility Begins: First of the month following your hire date
  • Eligible Employees: Full-time employees working 30+ hours per week; Part-Time employees working 20+ hours per week.

Farm Credit East is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. It is our goal to make employment decisions that further the principle of equal employment opportunity by utilizing objective standards based upon an individual's qualifications for a specific job opening. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), if you have a disability and would like a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position with Farm Credit East, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or e-mail View email address on click.appcast.io.