Feed Mill Manager

About the role

The Feed Mill Manager is responsible for the cooperative’s Feed Mill division. In collaboration with the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), this role oversees service, operations, sales, profitability, purchasing, pricing, inventory, supervision, reporting, safety, and maintenance related to the feed department. Additional responsibilities include promoting company and branch location employee cohesiveness through effective communication, teamwork, shared services, and by following safety policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Respond promptly and professionally to customer inquiries, concerns, and complaints
• Assist walk-in customers and answer phone inquiries as needed
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of feed products, animal nutrition, and safety regulations
• Oversee all Feed Mill operations, including personnel management, feed production, inventory, purchasing, quality control, and customer service
• Ensure feed production meets established quality control standards and customers’ expectations
• Develop and implement operational strategies related to staffing, equipment and facility needs, inventory planning, and customer demand
• Collaborate with Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and Feed Sales Manager to achieve success in reaching company goals
• Coordinate operational activities across departments with suppliers to optimize efficiency and utilization
• Manage facility and equipment cleanliness and ensure compliance with all safety standards
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and safety policies
• Stay up to date on feed and safety regulations and ensure team compliance with all applicable requirements
• Complete required documentation and reports related to safety, compliance, production, and operations
• Maintain accurate records for budgeting, purchasing, personnel, and inventory
• Develop and manage department budgets to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets
• Operate within established credit and operational guidelines
• Work cooperatively with division managers to achieve company goals
• Report personnel changes and HR-related needs to the corporate office
• Support related special projects and perform other duties as assigned
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with customers, employees, and leadership
• Present a clean, professional appearance
• Maintain prompt and reliable attendance
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers by traveling to farms and providing in-person support
• Sell feed products, including on future contracts, and advise customers based on product knowledge and industry trends
• Research and develop new feed products and improvements
• Flexible availability, including the ability to work varied schedules and hours as needed to open and close the Feed Mill

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Feed Mill Manager directly supervises all Feed Mill employees. Responsibilities include:

• Interviewing, hiring, and training employees
• Planning, assigning, and directing work
• Appraising performance
• Addressing complaints and solving problems
• Working with other division managers and Human Resources to achieve maximum utilization of employees and equipment

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); five or more years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Willingness to seek out and attend additional continuing education, seminars, classes, or other job-related education opportunities
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
• Proficient computer operation skills (including Internet usage) and knowledge of inventory software, order processing systems, spreadsheet software, and word processing software
• Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record (Class B CDL preferred)
• Forklift certification or the ability to obtain and maintain this certification
• Commercial Pesticide Certification 7B
• Ability to apply common sense and understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Able to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standard situations
• Ability to think quickly and perform a mental assessment of workplace hazards, take appropriate precautions, and choose appropriate PPE as dictated by need, regulation, and labeling

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell; stand; walk; sit; and climb or balance
• Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Must regularly lift and/or move 50 pounds
• May occasionally need to climb ladders (may range from 20’ to 180’) and stairs, including structural ladders as well as climbing into applicator rigs, large vehicles, and/or tractors
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures, and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments

Work Environment

• Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration
• The noise level in this work environment is loud
• Must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures, and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• 401(k) matching and cooperative retirement benefits
• Paid leave benefits (including parental leave)