Position : Sr. Strategic Opportunities CoordinatorLocation : Kansas City, KansasRequisition ID: : 25749Are you ready for an exciting and rewarding career change where you will work with dairy farmers for the largest global dairy cooperative? At Dairy Farmers of America, you come to work each day knowing that you are making a difference by bringing value to dairy farm families and their investments in the largest US dairy business.In this role, your goal is to lead risk management hedging transactions and relationship building with a significant segment(s) of DFA’s farm-owner business as a part of the DFA Risk Management team. You will also help connect DFA members, internal DFA plants, and divisions and their customers by sharing market information, serving as an educator, and being their partner to help them understand agricultural markets and price risk management tools.You will build meaningful relationships within our team, with our farmer-owners, and across DFA; gain experience and knowledge in a rapidly growing industry; and take on significant responsibilities from day one in a supportive, collaborative environment. As the largest US dairy company, DFA impacts people at every point of the supply chain, from farmers to consumers. The breadth and scope of DFA’s operations are significant, and the opportunities for growth and development within DFA are substantial.Location of position: Kansas City, KS or Syracuse, NY. Hybrid work schedule, which includes a mixture of in-office and remote work.Job Duties & Responsibilities:
Lead a significant segment of the DFA Risk Management program by being the primary DFA RM face and the lead contact in building and fostering relationships with specifically-identified farmer-owners across the country to respond to their unique needs and help them grow into a more consistent and adaptive risk management plan
Take calls from and make calls to farmer-owners to understand their needs, educate them about our programs and keep them informed about markets and risk management opportunities.
Keep up to date on market conditions. Using this information, develop messaging to translate these complicated topics in a way that the team can use to educate members and customers on the markets and our programs
Build, establish and maintain strong relationships with DFA Farm Services personnel, and develop strong working knowledge of a wide range of DFA products and services, including farm supplies, risk management tools, insurance and lending services.
Establish your own schedule, and balance plans to attend meetings, take trips to visit our farmer owners, and participate in events to work with farmers
Take a lead role in working our risk management desk, which includes:
Taking forward contract and Dairy Revenue Protection insurance orders
Supporting orders on other crop insurance offerings like Rainfall Index, Livestock Gross Margin and Livestock Risk Protection
Executing orders in futures, options and over-the-counter derivatives markets; or through RMA’s crop insurance products
Perform daily processes to maintain our accounts and databases
Contribute to continual improvement of DFA Risk Management programs and services
Develop an appreciation and understanding of DFA’s business, programs and services and philosophy
Continue self-education of commodity risk management markets, tools and programs and regulatory requirements
Show active interest in developing an understanding of Dairy Farmers of America and the dairy industry
Lead projects as assigned to analyze and develop risk management business opportunities
Continuing education of milk pricing economics and commodity price hedging practices
Obtain P&C insurance license within 60 days of start date (needed for crop insurance offerings)
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.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college, preferably in business or agriculture
Minimum two years experience working in risk management, agricultural commodities or the dairy industry
Proven experience developing impactful business relationships with large, complex farming operations
Agriculture industry background preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent interpersonal communication and customer service skills
Strong critical thinking, judgment and decision-making skills
Enjoys working with and interpreting data to extract information and make business decisions and drive strategic direction
Desire to initiate and lead projects
A collaborative, team-focused attitude
Excellent skills in Excel, PowerPoint, Word & others such as databases
Strong attention to detail and time management skills
An ability to take complicated concepts and make them easier to understand
Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, as needed
Must be able to read, write and speak English
Travel: Up to 25% - 50%An Equal Opportunity Employer