International Marketing Program Manager - Internal

State of Washington•Thurston County - Multiple Locations, WA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is seeking an International Marketing Program Manager for its Farm & Food Systems Development Division. This division focuses on strengthening food systems and the economic viability of Washington agriculture. The International Marketing Program specifically aims to help Washington businesses expand their food and agricultural exports globally by providing export development services, connections to foreign buyers, and assistance with navigating regulations. The program also promotes Washington agriculture in foreign markets and works to address trade barriers. The Program Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing a cohesive trade development strategy for Washington's food and agriculture industry, aligning it with the state's international trade efforts. This role involves overseeing all aspects of the program, including strategic planning, budget and legislative issues, staff supervision, contract and grant management, and stakeholder relations. The position also acts as an advisor on agricultural trade policy and maintains a strong understanding of industry needs and priorities, directly supporting the agency's mission to ensure agriculture remains viable in Washington State.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher or four (4) years of professional experience in international trade, agricultural business development, agricultural marketing, or a related field.
Supervisory or management experience.
Experience managing financial resources and budgets.
Experience managing contracts and/or grants.
Experience managing complex, collaborative projects.
Exceptional communication and leadership skills with the ability to work effectively with executive leadership, policy makers, and industry stakeholders.
Strong ability to analyze complex regulatory and policy issues and develop strategic solutions.
Demonstrated ability to represent local, state, or federal agencies on behalf of executive leadership.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in public presentations, in meetings and one-on-one discussions, and in written documents.
Demonstrated ability to cooperatively work with disparate groups to find practical and effective solutions to problems.
Demonstrated ability to solve problems independently, analyze and make effective decisions.
Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and judgment in solving, implementing and applying solutions.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities and time constraints.
History of strong leadership competencies and high-level professional skills.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience as a state or federal International Trade Specialist or similar position.
Working knowledge of the export process for food or agricultural products.
Working knowledge of agricultural trade policy.
Experience developing and implementing strategic plans.
Experience managing international trade missions.
Experience using Salesforce or other customer relationship management software.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a strategic plan to increase exports of Washington State's agricultural and food products in collaboration with business and industry stakeholders.
Administer overall program operations, ensuring plans, programs, activities, and policies are effectively carried out.
Establish priorities for staff and contractors and ensure program activities and events are run efficiently and effectively, including trade missions, trade shows, international trade representative visits, agricultural promotions, incoming government delegations, outreach, and export education.
Prepare and oversee the program's budget, allocate resources, and seek additional funding.
Procure and manage contracted international trade representatives to facilitate export, conduct matchmaking and promotional activities, and help resolve trade barrier issues.
Collect stakeholder feedback on needs and markets of interest, coordinate and manage the Request for Proposals (RFP) process, and ensure hired trade representatives fulfill contract obligations.
Seek and obtain outside financial resources and grants, including USDA Market Access Program (MAP), Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP), Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP), and other pertinent grants.
Administer grants in accordance with grant requirements.
Work on trade issues and agricultural marketing activities in collaboration with state, federal, and foreign agencies, industry associations, and agricultural stakeholders.
Track, understand, and report on market access and trade policy issues affecting Washington's agricultural industry.
Serve as the Director’s advisor on international trade policy issues and assist in agency communication efforts related to foreign trade.
Work closely with the Governor’s Director of International Affairs & Protocol and track trade policy issues for state trade missions and incoming government delegations.
Track trade barriers and work with other states and USDA to address trade issues.
Track and report on legislative issues pertinent to international trade and marketing.
Prepare presentations, reports, and other materials on legislative and policy issues.
Appear before legislative committees or other policy committees as needed.
Collect, analyze, and report on Washington’s food and agriculture export statistics, including determining collection methodology and overseeing annual publication.
Serve as the Washington State Marketing Official (SMO) for the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) and serve on committees that determine policies for marketing activities.
Organize and implement Government Trade Missions, including working with various state offices and international entities to develop and implement an agenda.
Prepare information and talking points for the WSDA Director and others as needed for trade missions.
Serve as the spokesperson and liaison for agricultural international trade development for the state of Washington.
Cultivate external relationships with other agencies, legislators, stakeholders, USDA, other states, WUSATA, and other partners to optimize support for international trade opportunities.
Oversee and effectively distribute program work.
Coach and mentor staff through regular feedback, instruction, and encouragement.
Assure appropriate and optimum use of program resources and enhance employee effectiveness through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities.
Address and resolve conflicts.
Evaluate staff performance and addresses concerns.
Support effective communication throughout the program.
Maintain the highest standard of professional and ethical conduct.