AGRONOMY ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER

It is Centra Sota Cooperative’s vision to improve lives and create a more vibrant future for farmers, families, and communities in Central MN.  We are a people-focused cooperative offering honest and helpful information, innovative products, and exceptional service from a reliable team of experts who care.

Position Summary: The primary responsibility of this role is to assist with managing and coordinating the agronomy operational functions and staff at the location.  This person must be flexible, coachable, with a great attitude while ensuring excellent customer service.  This person must be self-driven, exercise independent judgement and manage multiple tasks with a positive attitude.  This person will have excellent leadership skills and excel at identifying ways for operations to become more effective and efficient. 

Primary Functions: (The responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to the following)

• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and all other employee relations, in coordination with HR when appropriate
• Help train new hires and provide ongoing education (including product knowledge) for all employees
• Assist the manager with setting criteria for staff, creating daily work plans, production goals and employee schedules
• Help coach, develop, and evaluate staff based on performance metrics, actively utilizing our Check-In process
• Utilize current tools and technology for equipment dispatch and deliveries
• Operating equipment, truck driving and miscellaneous shop work
• Assist with managing and maintaining accurate inventory and product handling
• Maintain quality manufacturing and mixing to assure quality standards
• Maintain safe, clean and neat equipment, warehouses and facilities
• Provide superior customer service and resolve complaints quickly and appropriately, while maintaining open communication with both sales and operators
• Enforce regular equipment maintenance plans and procedures
• Demonstrate a commitment to doing what is right, a solid work ethic, a strong sense of ownership, a passion for agriculture, and genuine respect for others
• Model and teach safe behavior while enforcing all safety policies
• Observe and enforce all company policies
• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements/Qualifications:

• 2-year college degree in related field or any combination of education, training and experience providing required knowledge, skills, and abilities
• 2 years prior experience in related setting, with demonstrated progressive track record
• Must be skilled in the operation of all location equipment
• Strong team work, leadership and listening skills, and inspires respect and trust
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact effectively with staff, customers, and other business partners
• Commitment to excellence and high standards in terms of providing outstanding customer service, problem solving and managing difficult situations
• Ability to remain flexible in a rapidly changing environment
• Resourceful, self-starter with good independent, ethical, decision-making ability
• Excellent organizational skills including detail oriented, multi-tasking, planning, and prioritizing
• Results-oriented, accurate and thorough with a commitment to accountability
• Understands and actively works with basic business concepts (budgets, profit margins and revenue)
• Strong technical competency with an interest in staying current on leading edge precision technology
• Excellent computer skills with the ability to learn key operational computer programs
• Must Comply with current driver qualification requirements and our Drug and Alcohol Policy

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in agricultural related program.
• Applicators license
• Class A CDL
• Exhibits understanding of service and product knowledge in one or more of the following areas: agronomy fertilizers, chemicals, application equipment, farming techniques, etc.
• Experience with AgVance or similar software.

Physical Demands:  The demands described are representative of those to be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk for long periods of time as well as use hands/fingers to reach or handle, and to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. All vision abilities are required to encompass close-up and distant work. Routine use of a computer and cell phone are required. The employee must tolerate and endure extended seasonal hours and maintain alertness to meet deadlines.

Work Environment:  The environment described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to machinery and moving parts, airborne particles including grain dust and hazardous materials or fumes, which will require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The employee is exposed to adverse weather conditions, high, precarious places and confined spaces.  The noise level in some of the work environments may require the use of hearing protection. While performing the duties of this job inside the office, the employee is frequently exposed to normal working conditions for an office environment with a noise level that is usually low to moderate.

Disclaimer: This job description is not a complete description of responsibility, but reflects the general duties, qualifications and requirements necessary to perform this job. Centra Sota Cooperative reserves the right to revise the job description as circumstances warrant.