Member Service Representative - Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative : Job Details

Who we are:

The Voice of Milk is a collaboration between Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, the Dairy Business Association, the Minnesota Milk Producers Association, along with its affiliate Farmers for Sustainable Food working together to bring the voice of milk to communities, congress and consumers. With the strength of over 1,700 dairy farmers and industry supporters, the Voice of Milk is the only multi-state association speaking only on behalf of dairy farmers.

What we do:

We love the dairy community, and we want to see our farm families and allied businesses succeed. Thats challenging without sensible, scientifically sound and sustainable policies and regulations at the local, state and federal levels. We collectively serve the members of the individual organizations that make up the Voice of Milk, including dairy farmers, agri-businesses, dairy product processors and other supporters.

Position Overview

Management and oversight of member services programs related to producer member relations. Includes member prospecting and retention, support of farmer-led groups, and delivery of services and programs to farmers through affiliate organizations and the Farmers for Sustainable Food Climate-Smart program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Member Relations: Contacts, visits, and assesses current and prospective members to explain member benefits and describe core objectives, programs and services of the organizations with a focus. Expands organization membership and partnerships in connection with strategic growth goals. Completes on-farm check-ins with members to update them on the organizations objectives and to obtain feedback. Recruits members to be involved in the organizations initiatives, activities and events. Visits assigned lab(s) (in-person or virtually) for monthly verification checks likely one day per month.
• Farmer-Led Group Management: Support Management: Board support meeting schedule, agendas, minutes, updates, activities as needed with a group or groups in Wisconsin. Supports management of cost share program sign up and records. Maintains membership, donor and other contact lists, coordinate due renewals, requests for sponsorship and donations. Documents necessary information to support grant reporting gathering of information for and development of annual reports for all organizations and FSF; Outreach and Education: Expands organization membership and partnerships in connection with strategic growth goals. Works with a key contact from each group to organize events. Assists with promotion, materials, speakers, and other event logistics. Attends FSF board meetings as needed. Communicates and coordinate with other contractors and FSF team to execute other initiatives as needed
• Climate-Smart Execution and Enrollment: Within assigned territory, leads the execution of producer-member contracts for Climate-Smart program. This includes introductory meetings with farmers to review project opportunity and requirements, explanation of all paperwork and supporting farm in completing paperwork. Data Collection: Lead and support data collection for CS-funded projects within assigned Edge and state association territory. Work directly with farmers and project partners to collect required data; organize farm visits, conduct phone calls, and correspond via email to get all necessary farm data in specified timeline. Provide support / engage in review of farm-level reports with farms in territory.

Education

• Associates Degree, in Business and/or Communications field (or equivalent) preferred, or equivalent of 4+ years verifiable experience in position with similar duties.

Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years
• Previous experience in the agriculture industry preferred.

Core Skills

• Proper grammar and spelling
• Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook and solid grasp of web technologies
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Organizational and time management skills
• Strong reasoning, judgment and negotiation skills
• Project management skills
• Ability to work as a team, coordinating efforts toward organizational goals
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public
• Excellent customer services skills
• Ability to edit and proofread a large volume of materials
• Ability to organize and manage a variety of projects with deadlines
• Creative problem solving ability to think of solutions to emergencies, last-minute requests when the usual answer is not available
• Ability to assess a situation and determine the best course of action (Independent judgment)
• Ability to strengthen relationships between all levels of staff
• Ability to function independently where appropriate but to recognize when issues escalate and need to be referred to other resource