DFA Risk Management Relationship Manager

As a DFA Risk Management team member, your goal will be to help dairy farmers understand and utilize risk management tools to achieve financial stability. By helping manage price risk, you’re creating opportunities for dairy farmers across the U.S. to achieve their families’ goals. You will build meaningful relationships within our team and across DFA, gain experience and knowledge in a rapidly-growing industry, and take on significant responsibilities from day one in a supportive, collaborative environment. As the largest global dairy cooperative, DFA impacts people at every point of the supply chain, from farmers to consumers. The breadth and scope of DFA’s operations are significant, and the opportunities for growth and development within DFA are substantial. 

Location: This position can be located at the DFA office Syracuse, NY office or anywhere in the Northeast.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Showcase expertise in milk pricing economics and commodity price hedging practices and demonstrate conceptual knowledge of theories, practices, programs and procedures within DFA Risk Management
• Make and take calls to and from farmer-owners to engage in low levels of strategy development, take orders, follow up on working orders, and stay engaged in building consistency
• Lead projects as assigned relating to educating and informing DFA farmer-owners and internal stakeholders about markets and price risk management
  • This may involve developing outreach campaigns to promote and share educational content during farm visits, meetings and conferences
• Lead a significant subset of relationships with DFA farmer-owners in risk management services, providing concierge service as needed, engaging with them on a regular cadence, and with an approach that works for their dairy
• Build and maintain strong relationship with DFA personnel, particularly those working with farm-owners in DFA’s Areas. Develop strong working knowledge of a wide range of DFA products and services, include farm supplies, insurance and lending services, as well as a thorough understanding of risk management tools
• Present to small groups of farmer-owners and DFA employees on topics such as risk management, milk pricing and dairy market dynamics
• Establish your own schedule and balance plans to attend meetings, take trips to visit farmer-owners and participate in events to work with farmers
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, preferably in business or agriculture, or relevant work experience.
• 5 years or more experience in risk management, agricultural commodity trading in the dairy industry preferred
• Project management experience preferred
• Position location in Syracuse, NY or Kansas City, KS hybrid remote and in-office environments

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong communication style that works to build consensus through communication across the chain 
• Ability to deliver DFA’s elevator pitch, as well as the DFA Risk Management elevator pitch 
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills that showcase understanding of a decision’s impact on business 
• A collaborative mindset with an ability to lead and influence across the team 
• Strong understanding and use of Excel, PowerPoint, Word & other programs and databases 
• Ability to balance multiple projects from stakeholders across the business and across DFA 
• High level of accountability for own projects and work, as well as team contributions and results 
• A desire to be coached, as well an ability to coach and develop other team members 
• Adaptable to changing business priorities, and shows ability to quickly change direction and challenge when appropriate 
• Acts ethically in all matters, without exception, and adheres to the Value Integrity Code of Conduct 
• Willingness to work flexible hours, as needed showcase expertise in milk pricing economics and commodity price hedging practices
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

Travel: 50% - 75% (up to 2 weeks per month)

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans