AGRONOMY ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER

DescriptionIt 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

QualificationsJob 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.