Relationship Manager

About the role

AgWest Farm Credit is a member-owned financial cooperative serving farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners, and crop insurance customers in seven Western U.S. states. We are part of the Farm Credit System, the leading provider of credit to American agriculture. Based in Paso Robles, California, this full-time position reports to the SVP, Portfolio Manager.

Essential Duties

• Market and sell products including loans and related services; establish rapport with and develop confidence in customers and prospective customers.
• Complete visits to customers' operations and document observations; this may include visually inspecting loan collateral and evaluating customers' management practices and expected repayment.
• Make quality credit decisions to ensure customer service, a high-quality loan portfolio, and loan administration.
• Maintain and manage assigned accounts with the goal of providing efficient customer service and maximizing returns; this may involve coordination with other teams and portfolio groups.
• Prepare credit analyses and submit recommendations to supervisors or loan committees for approval; approve loans within delegated authority.
• Gather financial information through interviews, reading financial statements, and verifying assets and liabilities; comply with documentation expectations, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Assist in credit investigations on applicants including public record searches, credit bureau reports, employment and income verification, and asset and liability verification.
• Participate in loan closings by ensuring proper documentation is completed and understood by the customer.
• Develop and implement sales/servicing plans and coordinate actions with credit analysts and loan specialists.
• Communicate with other groups and teams to meet customer service needs and organizational objectives.
• Represent and communicate the organization's values, purpose, and mission to employees, customers, the public, and other target audiences by joining or actively supporting appropriate agricultural organizations, civic groups, or commodity groups and participating in sponsored events and programs.
• Perform all duties and maintain standards in accordance with company policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Other duties as assigned.

Travel Requirements

Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%, including overnight travel throughout the AgWest territory. AgWest employees may occasionally be asked to travel for all-staff or team meetings not included in the standard travel requirements for the role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, or equivalent, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read or learn to read audited financial statements, legal opinions, tax records, and other financials.
• Ability to establish rapport with, and develop and maintain the confidence of, customers and prospective customers.
• Ability to effectively communicate and negotiate terms on behalf of the organization for low complexity and smaller size relationships, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to travel to perform certain required duties.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of finance and accounting principles.
• General understanding of credit-related laws and regulations.

Benefits Offered by AgWest

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid by the company).
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation, 15 sick, 12 holidays, and 3 volunteer.
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution).
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellness Program.
• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest!

Details about insurance and retirement benefits

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at: https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits.

Workplace Flexibility

This position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one-time home office stipend after an initial in-office training period. It is also eligible for coordinated hybrid flexibility.

Job level and starting annual salary

The base salary range for this position in Paso Robles, California is:

• Level I: Typical starting range $72,600 - $97,800, Full base salary range $72,600 - $110,400, Annual performance-based incentive target is 12% of base.
• Level II: Typical starting range $80,000 - $110,100, Full base salary range $80,000 - $37,800, Annual performance-based incentive target is 15% of base.

Application Instructions

To apply for this job, interested candidates should visit the AgWest Farm Credit careers page.