Farm Marketing Group Leader/Consultant

Hurley & Associates•Britton, SD

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Group Leader provides leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to Farm Marketing Consultants and office staff while promoting Hurley & Associates’ farm marketing services. The role drives office growth, strengthens client relationships, expands market presence, and ensures disciplined risk management services for agricultural producers. The position leads local networking and client-development efforts, maintains knowledge of grain and livestock markets, guides cash grain marketing decisions, supports consultants in developing marketing plans, and reviews farm financial information. It supervises, trains, and mentors employees and coordinates office activities, client service, local compliance, and employee communication. The Group Leader helps identify, recruit, interview, and hire employees and interns; addresses staff performance in collaboration with corporate; contributes to compensation discussions and the office budget; reviews monthly profit and loss statements; and negotiates landlord contracts with corporate oversight. The position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and has direct reports including Local Field Consultants and Office Support Staff. Duties may change according to company needs.

Requirements

Associate degree and 5 years of experience in direct farmer marketing; or bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of experience in grain marketing, cash, or futures; or 4 years of equivalent agribusiness experience with a successful track record in sales and management.
Knowledge of futures market operations and rationale.
Knowledge of local cash grain market trading and its impact on client operations.
Understanding of farmers’ operating environment and financial risk tolerance.
Knowledge of farm finances, accounting, cash flow, and breakeven analysis.
Knowledge of marketing tools used to manage producer risk.
Customer service, satisfaction, and retention skills.
Excellent salesmanship, communication, and time-management skills.
Skills in management, supervision, mentoring, coaching, and delegation.
Ability to network within the grain industry and develop industry advocates.
Presentation skills for public speaking and training programs; ability to inspire people to take action.
Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and people skills, including understanding how to work with people and establish relationships.
Technical skills with futures markets, proprietary Hurley & Associates software, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Must sign a confidentiality agreement because the role has access to confidential information.
Series 3 license for grain brokers required after hire.
Series 30 license for Branch Managers required after hire.

Responsibilities

Uphold and exemplify the company mission to clients, industry advocates, and consultants.
Collaborate in developing greater market share for risk management consulting services.
Develop and maintain an advocate network and communicate with industry, business, and community leaders in the office’s geographic area.
Participate in public relations activities in the agricultural community.
Maintain current knowledge of grain and livestock markets and their effects on client operations.
Set direction for cash grain marketing decisions with office consultants and assist consultants in developing marketing plans.
Be available to discuss client positions and make prospect and client visits.
Review and analyze farm financial information, including accounting, cash flow, and breakeven reports or spreadsheets.
Build rapport with office employees and mentor, supervise, train, and coach them on risk management services and role-related tasks.
Ensure employee Goals Update Meetings occur at least annually and assign and oversee mentor relationships.
Protect and act in accordance with company policies and guidelines.
Understand futures market operations, controls, policies, and procedures.
Ensure office consultants comply with the company Marketing Plan and review broker trades for proper positions.
Inform the Hedge Desk Group Leader of compliance concerns.
Monitor client quality-control indicators, including cash flows, marketing plans, budgets, and overall performance.
Ensure professional client service and excellent communication; coordinate office activities to care for clients.
Support consultants and/or the Branch Manager in resolving client or consultant issues and handle customer complaints efficiently.
Hold office planning or update meetings at least twice a year; establish office routines, ground rules, and expectations; maintain regular employee communication; and keep the office organized and efficient.
Identify and provide for employees’ educational needs and offer client education or client appreciation opportunities regularly.
Research, recruit, interview, and collaborate in hiring employees, replacement staff, and interns using company assessment processes.
Discuss staff performance issues with corporate to determine an appropriate course of action.
Select mentors for interns and new consultants; collaborate on compensation adjustments when needed.
Provide input to annual office budget development and review monthly profit and loss statements.
Negotiate and maintain landlord contracts with corporate oversight.
Take responsibility and accountability for decisions and results affecting people, costs, or service quality within corporate and branch offices.