Job Description

*Attention Applicants: The ideal candidate for this position will be based in Northern Michigan.

(Grayling, Kalkaska, Traverse City, Bellaire, Gaylord, Lewiston)

THE ROLE:

The Member Services Representative role will be based out of the Northern Michigan Region. In this role, you will ensure the marketability of members\xe2\x80\x99 milk by providing integrated services and value-added programs including animal care education, equipment, evaluation, and farm operations. This role partners with member farms to facilitate the production of high-quality Grade A Milk and secures new member farms capable of producing high-quality Grade A milk and secures new member farms capable of producing the highest quality milk and operating with a solid commitment to animal welfare and environmental stewardship.

ABOUT US:

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer-owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

As a cooperative, our members are owners of the business and have the opportunity to be active in its governance. The 13 dairy farmers on our board work to guide the cooperative\'s direction in our members\' best interest. MMPA works to best serve members every day by providing leading on-farm services, training, and member involvement opportunities. With a forward-thinking vision, MMPA also supports education for the next generation of dairy leaders with scholarships.

MMPA maintains a strong presence within the dairy industry with strategic business relationships through a variety of channels like processing shelf-stable, value-added dairy products. MMPA has four member-owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company. Products made at MMPA\xe2\x80\x99s plants include fluid milk, sour cream, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, and condensed skim milk.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide animal care guidelines and conduct on-farm audits to ensure the integrity of the animal care program at each assigned farm to support milk quality and environmental goals.
• Coach members in methods to reduce environmental footprint and drive sustainability efforts.
• Implement an equipment evaluation program at member farms to support milk quality and operational efficiency.
• Provide value-added service to members including resolving quality issues, addressing non-compliance, and assisting with the implementation of improvements to drive each member farm\xe2\x80\x99s success.
• Secure new member farms by educating farmers about the benefits offered by MMPA.
• Maintain positive relationships with haulers and customers through route and hauler audits.
• Encourage participation in educational opportunities for members.
• Recommend products and services to meet each member\xe2\x80\x99s unique needs based on a thorough knowledge of all MMPA member products and services.
• Manage member records and other related data in a timely manner.
• Frequent travel within assigned territory (approximately >80% of the time)

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s Degree in Biological Sciences or related field
• Agricultural or related experience
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent verbal communication and/or interpersonal skills
• Strong problem-solving and consultative skills
• Proven track record in working with a team to address regional issues
• Excellent practical learning skills \xe2\x80\xa2
• Expected to reside in the assigned territory
• Proficient in Outlook and Microsoft Office suite: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described below represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the responsibilities of this job successfully.

Physical Demands

• The employee is required to: use fine motor skills such as finger and hand dexterity to type, manipulate small objects, and operate standard office equipment frequently (> 75% of the time)
• The employee is required to: walk, stand, verbally communicate, and hear frequently (> 75% of the time)
• The employee is required to sit occasionally (< 33% of the time)
• The employee is required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally (<33% of the time)

Work Environment

• The employee functions in both a climate-controlled professional office environment and a home office
• The employee also functions outdoors and on-farm in a dairy farm environment and with exposure to the elements.

Protective Equipment

• No protective equipment is required in office environments.
• Protective equipment may be required in on-farm and plant environments.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. Our employees\' diverse talents and perspectives help us meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

PI225018591

Michigan Milk Producers Assoc