Milk Marketing & Member Programs Specialist

ABOUT SELECT MILK:
Select Milk Cooperative is one of the nation's largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, known for its innovation in animal welfare, sustainability, and technology. We are dedicated to providing superior value to our co-op members through advanced operational practices and strong, trust-based relationships.

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS:

The Milk Marketing & Member Programs Specialist will support the cooperative's milk marketing, member relationship, and various member program activities. This role will support the Senior Director of Industry Research & Analysis with customer and member relationship management, milk buying and selling activities, and the disciplined administration of member programs. The position will maintain accurate program records, prepare reports and communications, and provide proactive support regarding milk production, milk quality, milk pricing, hauling programs, on-farm storage, and other member programs that may evolve over time. The goal of this position is to strengthen member service, support effective milk marketing decisions, and help maximize Co-Op returns to owners.

SUPERVISION / DIRECT REPORTS:

The Milk Marketing & Member Programs Specialist will have no direct reports.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Customer Engagement & Support:

• Serve as a key liaison and support resource for cooperative members and customers, addressing inquiries and providing support regarding milk marketing, production metrics, milk pricing, member program participation, and industry trends.

• Assist the Senior Director of Industry Research & Analysis with relationship management by preparing member and customer meeting materials, documenting follow-up items, and helping ensure timely responses to questions and issues.

Data Verification & Analytics:

• Maintain, review, and reconcile member, customer, production, quality, and program data to support accurate reporting and sound commercial decision-making.

• Analyze milk supply, base ownership, hauling, on-farm storage, customer demand, and other information relevant to milk marketing, buying, and selling activities.

• Be driven to always learn new skills, systems, and modeling techniques to better explain the drivers and outcomes of critical operational, member program, and financial decisions.

• Use independent judgment to analyze data and make recommendations for changes that support significant business initiatives and improve member/customer service.

• Prepare reports, spreadsheets, decision summaries, and communication materials, as requested.

• Collaborate with the Membership and Sales team and other internal teams to analyze operational data and prepare reports for co-op members, customers, and senior management.

Member Program Tracking and Compliance:

• Learn, maintain records, and prepare monthly reporting for various cooperative member programs.

• Administer base program records, including base ownership, transfers, allocations, requests, exceptions, approvals, and related communication history.

• Support hauling program tracking, reporting, member follow-up, and issue resolution.

• Support on-farm storage program tracking, documentation, reporting, and related member communication.

• Maintain decision logs, approval records, audit trails, and process documentation to ensure member programs are administered accurately and consistently.

• Help build and maintain processes for other member programs that may evolve over time.

Compliance & Process Improvement:

• Assist with member and internal programs related to adherence to local and federal regulations, customer requirements, and cooperative policies.

• Assist in developing and implementing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance data collection, reporting processes, program administration, and overall operational efficiency.

• Identify opportunities to improve accountability, documentation, communication, and handoffs across member programs and milk marketing activities.

Relationship Building & Communication:

• Communicate with current and potential members and customers to maintain and develop positive working relationships, understand their unique needs, provide tailored support, and share learnings and opportunities with other areas of the Co-op.

• Develop and distribute timely communications, updates, talking points, and educational materials to keep members informed about co-op activities, member program matters, and best practices.

• Participate in selected member and customer interactions to build knowledge and grow into a more visible support role in milk marketing, buying, and selling.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Animal Science, Dairy Science, Agribusiness, or a related field.

• Experience in, or strong working knowledge of, the dairy industry, cooperative member service, milk marketing, or agribusiness operations.

• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with members, customers, and internal teams.

• Excellent analytical abilities with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with data analysis, reporting, and record management is highly desirable.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records, decision logs, and communication history for important member programs.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

• Sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to serving cooperative members while supporting efforts to maximize Co-Op returns to owners.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experience in a customer-facing or member-facing role within a cooperative, dairy organization, agribusiness, or related industry.

• Familiarity with industry-specific systems and tools for data verification, producer reporting, customer support, and program administration.

• Familiarity with milk marketing, milk pricing, base programs, hauling programs, on-farm storage, or similar member program administration.

• A proactive, detail-oriented approach and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and experience improving processes, controls, reporting, or communication practices.

• Interest and ability to grow into a more visible role supporting milk marketing, buying, selling, and member/customer relationship management.