Farm Marketing Group Leader/Consultant

Status: Exempt | Regular Hours: 40+ hours/week | Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

About the Role

The Group Leader provides leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to Farm Marketing Consultants and office staff while promoting Hurley & Associates’ farm marketing services. This role drives office growth, strengthens client relationships, expands market presence, and ensures the delivery of disciplined risk management services to agricultural producers.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Networking
  • Uphold and exemplify Hurley & Associates’ mission statement to clients, industry advocates, and consultants.
  • Collaborate in developing greater market share as risk management consultants.
  • Develop and maintain an Advocate network in the office’s geographic area.
  • Communicate with industry, business, and community executives and leaders in the geographic areas covered by the office(s).
  • Network through public relations activities in the agricultural community.
  • Maintain current knowledge of grain and livestock market trading and its impact on client operations.
  • Set direction for cash grain marketing decisions with office consultants and assist in developing marketing plans.
  • Be available to discuss client positions at any time.
  • Maintain strong ability to review and analyze farm financials: accounting, cash flow, and breakeven reports/spreadsheets.
  • Build and maintain strong rapport with office employees to maximize team potential.
  • Make prospect and client visits as needed.
  • Mentor, supervise, train, and coach employees on risk management services and related tasks.
  • Ensure employee Goals Update Meetings occur at least once a year.
• Management and Local Compliance
  • Protect and perform within Hurley’s policies and guidelines.
  • Understand Futures market operations, controls, policies, and procedures.
  • Ensure all consultants comply with Hurley’s Marketing Plan.
  • Review trades made by brokers to ensure proper positions and inform the Hedge Desk Group Leader of any compliance concerns.
  • Monitor quality control indicators for clients via cash flows, marketing plans, budgets, and overall performance.
  • Ensure Hurley associates conduct business professionally with all clients and maintain excellent communication.
  • Coordinate office activities to ensure clients are well cared for.
  • Provide support for Consultants and/or Branch Manager in resolving client or consultant issues.
  • Handle customer complaints efficiently and with poise.
  • Hold office planning/update meetings at least twice a year.
  • Establish office routines, ground rules, and expectations for all employees.
  • Ensure regular communication with employees on office-related items.
  • Maintain an organized and efficient office environment.
  • Assign and oversee mentor relationships.
• Education
  • Identify and provide for the educational needs of office employees.
  • Offer client education and/or client appreciation opportunities regularly.
• Scope of Responsibility and Decision Making
  • Research, recruit, interview, and collaborate in hiring new employees (or replacement positions) and interns using established assessment processes.
  • Discuss staff performance issues with corporate to determine appropriate action.
  • Select mentors to work with interns and new consultants.
  • Collaborate on compensation adjustments when needed.
  • Provide input for annual office budget development and review monthly profit & loss statements.
  • Negotiate and maintain contracts with landlords under corporate oversight.
  • Assume responsibility and accountability for decisions impacting people, costs, and service quality within corporate and branch offices.

Requirements

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
  • Futures market operations and rationale.
  • Local cash grain market trading specifics and its impact on client operations.
  • Understanding of farmers’ environment, operations, and financial risk tolerance.
  • Farm finances, accounting, cash flow, and breakeven analysis.
  • Marketing knowledge of tools to assist in managing producer risk.
  • Customer service, satisfaction, and retention skills.
  • Excellent salesmanship, communication, and time management skills.
  • Managing, supervising, mentoring, coaching, and delegating skills.
  • Networking within the grain industry to develop industry Advocates.
  • Presentation skills for public speaking and training programs.
  • Ability to inspire people to take action.
  • Psychology in working with people and establishing relationships.
  • Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Technical Skills
  • Futures market proficiency.
  • Proprietary Hurley & Associates software.
  • Microsoft Office Suite.
• Educational and Experience Requirements
  • Associate’s degree with 5 years of direct farmer marketing experience, or
  • Bachelor’s degree with 3–5 years of experience in grain marketing (cash or Futures), or
  • 4 years of equivalent experience in agri-business with a successful track record in sales and management.
• Licensing or Certification Requirements
  • Series 3 license for grain brokers (required after hire).
  • Series 30 license for Branch Managers (required after hire).

Duties and responsibilities may change according to the needs of the company.