American Dairy Association North East (ADANE), a dairy farmer-directed non-profit organization funded by participating dairy farmers’ checkoff investment in the northeast region is looking to hire a Dairy Checkoff Confidence Specialist.

The Dairy Checkoff Specialist is responsible for maintaining, securing dairy farmer support, and funding for promotion programs of ADANE. Reporting to the Senior Director of Industry Relations, the Specialist will also develop and maintain positive relationships with dairy farmers, key dairy industry leaders, dairy processors, and dairy cooperatives to ensure dairy checkoff funding is directed to ADANE or Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program (PDPP). The dairy farmer’s checkoff investment in the northeast region is to support the organization’s strategies, mission, and priorities to build demand for the sales of milk, dairy foods, and trust in dairy farmers throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and northern Virginia.

Position Salary Range; $66,000 - $70,000 Annually

Responsibilities:

• Meet with dairy farmers, dairy processors, and dairy cooperatives to maintain current dairy checkoff funding sources and secure additional dairy checkoff funding to support the strategies of the organization.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with, but not limited to, dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, dairy processors, dairy industry/business representatives and other dairy industry leaders throughout the ADANE region with a particular focus on Pennsylvania.
• Be an effective communicator to articulate the programs and strategies of ADANE.
• Analyze current dairy checkoff funding sources as well as industry production trends to identify opportunities and threats to the organization’s funding base.
• Possess and sustain a strong working knowledge of dairy farms in the region with emphasis on Pennsylvania and New York.
• Deliver presentations to explain the value of dairy checkoff programs, including in-person and virtual meetings; large, small, and one-on-one meetings.
• Contribute to effective communications strategies to foster dairy farmer involvement and participation in American Dairy Association North East programs.
• Actively seek out new opportunities to grow funding through cold calling, networking, and social media.
• Ability to collaborate with all teams throughout the organization.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, business, or related fields.
• Five or more years of demonstrated related industry work experience in a dairy or agriculture   background is required.
• Sales-oriented style communications skills are required.
• Knowledge of dairy industry and dairy checkoff programs in the American Dairy Association North East service region is required.
• Well-organized and detail - oriented skills are required.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have excellent time management and organizational skills to ensure projects and goals are accomplished.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
• Proficient use and knowledge of various social media platforms to be used in checkoff programs.
• Proven self-motivator with a results-driven approach is required.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License with a safe driving record.
• Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle to travel as duties require frequent local, regional, multi-state and national travel. Weekend travel and some overnight stay is required.
• Expected to travel throughout the entire service region of American Dairy Association North East as needed.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to effectively create, compose, and present information and respond to questions.
• Ability to develop and deliver both oral and written presentations.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and details simultaneously.
• Effectively lead projects from planning to successful completion. An initiative-taker and reliable.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, practices, techniques, and tools.
• Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures. Attention to details.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community with a high degree of emotional intelligence and minimal supervision.

This position will be based in the state of Pennsylvania of the American Dairy Association North East service territory.

Benefits include Medical, Dental, Life, LTD insurances and 401(k) Retirement Plan.

To apply: Submit your resume & cover letter by clicking APPLY TO THIS POSITION below.