Dairy Business Consultant

Description/Job Summary

Join a team focused on the success of our customers, the success of our communities, and the success of each other. Farm Credit East (FCE) is the leading provider of loans and farm advisory services to farm, forest product, fishing, and other agricultural business owners across the northeast with $11.7 billion in total loan volume and $29 million in annual financial services revenue from 18,000 customers across our 8-state territory. We are One Team Working Together with a focus on our five pillars: Outstanding Customer and Employee Experience, Quality Growth, Operational Excellence, Commitment to our Communities, and Protecting Customer Information.

As a member of the Farm Advisory Services team, the Consultant profitably delivers accurate, high quality, high impact consulting service to customers in a manner that enables them to better accomplish business/family objectives and meets Farm Credit East fee income objectives. This role strengthens and expands existing customer relationships and develops new consulting relationships. In addition, consultants develop a wide network of agricultural professionals and leaders from various sectors supporting the industry.    

A good understanding of accounting principles and a basic understanding of tax law are keys, as are excellent communication and customer service skills. This role works closely with tax and business accounting analyst staff, loan officers, and other business units to develop a strong understanding of Farm Credit East's products and services to provide valuable solutions to customers’ financial and business needs. Those successful in this role possess a proactive, self-starter mindset along with a willingness to cultivate relationships with both new and existing customers. 

The value drivers for this role are as follows:

• Demonstrates deep understanding of the Dairy industry including herd management, crop management and financial analysis. Successful candidate will be able to facilitate/lead a team of advisors to provide valuable strategic insight for our dairy farm clients
• Collaborates with the consulting team to provide a best-in-class consulting practice recognizing areas of specialization within the group that can be broadcast to all customers to further drive value 
• Adapts broad knowledge of agribusiness to clients who are not in the dairy industry which can include but is not limited to fruit, cash grain or winery clients.

Come join a collaborative, customer-focused team at Farm Credit East!

Duties and Responsibilities

Creating Customer Value

• Delivers accurate, high quality, high impact consulting services to customers in a manner that motivates and enables them to better accomplish their objectives
• Contributes to the success of customer businesses and the Association through the timely and accurate delivery of consulting services to customers for a profitable fee 

Business Development 

• Achieves growth targets by performing business development activities that expand existing customer relationships and bring new customers to the Association
• Seeks and vets both traditional and non-traditional opportunities, ranging from the farm to the agri-business along with all participants of the ag value chain who are eligible 
• Prioritizes high value add interactions with customers day in and day out through active relationships and sound customer understanding 
• Promotes the FCE brand in their marketplace 
• Builds and nurtures Centers of Influence (community presence, network, and external partners) to generate external referrals 
• Utilizes the 360-degree view of the customer to generate, or act upon, internal referrals to or from credit and financial services 
• Develops expertise and working knowledge within Ag segments, serving as a Trusted Advisor 
• Embraces the transformation of the Association through adoption and utilization of new processes, procedures, and digital tools with the intent to deliver a high-level customer experience 

Required Education or Experience

• Position requires a Master's degree in Agriculture, Agri-Business, Economics, Finance, Business, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential functions of the job. 
• We offer hybrid work options after two months of employment with Farm Credit East. Hybrid work options are determined based on job role and balancing the needs of the customers, the team, and individual work performance. This will be reviewed based on manager discretion. 

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary Range: $95,000-$145,000 commensurate with experience
• Short-Term Incentive to reward business results
•  Retirement Contributions :
  • 401k match up to 6% of salary; or for those unable to take full advantage of the 401(k) match, verified student loan payments may qualify for an employer match in your 401(k) up to 6% of salary
  • Defined Contribution retirement plan funded at 2-9% of salary depending on years of service
• Time Off:
  • 15-25 days of vacation leave per year, depending on years of service
  • 12 days of holiday leave per year
  • 7.5 days of sick leave in your first year, followed by 12 days of sick leave per year thereafter; unlimited rollover of unused sick leave year to year
• Health and Insurance:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including preventive care and wellness programs to support your overall health and well-being
  • Health Savings Account
  • Life insurance at 2x base pay
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance at 2x base pay
  • Long-term disability insurance at 2/3 base pay
• Additional Benefits: 
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Continuing education and training
  • Employee Assistance Program offering a wide variety of tools and resources

Farm Credit East is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. It is our goal to make employment decisions that further the principle of equal employment opportunity by utilizing objective standards based upon an individual's qualifications for a specific job opening. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), if you have a disability and would like a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position with Farm Credit East, please call 1-800-562-2235 or e-mail FarmCreditCareers@farmcrediteast.com