Chief Technology Officer

Job Title: Chief Technology Officer 

Reports To: President/CEO 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Prepared Date: February 2025 

SUMMARY 

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is responsible for developing and executing a strategic technology vision that supports Ag Partners' long-term growth and operational excellence. This role drives business expansion by leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and optimize investments. The CTO provides leadership and mentorship to the IT team, oversees software applications, ERP platforms, and data management, and ensures seamless integration across the organization. As a strategic business partner, the CTO collaborates with all divisions to implement innovative solutions while managing technology budgets, cybersecurity, privacy and vendor partnerships. Additionally, this role stays ahead of industry advancements to drive continuous improvement and successful technology adoption. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

(Includes the following and other duties may be assigned) 

Responsible for: 

• Developing and executing a technology strategy aligned with the company’s long-term goals, ensuring scalability and adaptability to future needs. 
• Leveraging technology to drive business expansion, enhance operational capabilities, and maintain a competitive edge. 
• Identifying and implementing innovative solutions to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and optimize technology investments. 
• Providing leadership and coaching of the IT team, ensuring the right mix of skills, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.  
• Leveraging technology to enhance operational effectiveness and service delivery, ensuring clear expectations for key technology services, including downtime management and incident response. 
• Managing all software applications, ERP platforms, and data management systems to ensure seamless integration and operational excellence. 
• Serving as a strategic business partner to all divisions, understanding their unique technology needs and providing solutions that drive success. 
• Developing and managing Ag Partners' technology budgets to maximize ROI while continuously seeking efficiencies. Overseeing technology investments, vendor management, and procurement strategies to ensure cost-effective and high-performing solutions. 
• Developing and enforcing security protocols to safeguard company data and IT infrastructure against evolving threats. 
• Staying informed on technology trends and advancements, evaluating their relevance for Ag Partners while proactively introducing innovations to enhance business operations. Leading the adoption and implementation of technology solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, and service, ensuring successful change management and stakeholder engagement. 
• Developing, implementing, and overseeing data privacy policies and practices to ensure the protection of employee and customer information collected by Ag Partners, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and industry best practices. 
• Adherence to safety policies and providing safety leadership. 
• Promoting and adhering to the company Core Values of honesty, integrity & teamwork. 
• Perform all other duties as directed. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Directly supervises the employees in the IT & Data departments.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.  

QUALIFICATIONS   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The qualifications, demands and environments described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  The requirements list below is representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE  

Required 

• 10 years of experience in the Ag industry; Understands Ag business (retail and grower perspectives) 
• 5 years of experience successfully understanding and implementing value-added technologies in the Ag industry; Understands how Ag can and should leverage technology (practical view) 
• 5 years direct team leadership and proven supervisory experience in a management capacity; Proven values-based, people-first leader 
• 5 years of experience in roles of increasing technology scope and responsibility, including strategy, service, and partner management; Has developed strong and strategic business and vendor partnerships 
• 3 years driving value-added technology innovations/transformations 
• Ability to work at least 3 days/week in the office (a partially remote option is available) 
• This role requires periodic travel to industry conferences, vendor meetings, and leadership functions to stay informed on emerging technologies and maintain key relationships. Candidates should be comfortable with moderate travel as part of their responsibilities. 

Optional/Preferred 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, MIS, Information Technology, or a related business field 

LANGUAGE SKILLS  

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.   

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS  

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, volume, and weights. 

REASONING ABILITY 

The ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Able to deal with problems with several concrete variables in standard situations.  Must be able to think quickly and perform a mental assessment of workplace hazards, take appropriate precautions, and choose appropriate PPE as dictated by need, regulation and labeling.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk or hear, taste or smell; stand; walk; sit and climb or balance.  The employee is required to regularly stand or sit for long periods of time.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus 

WORK ENVIRONMENT   

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Employee must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

DISCLAIMER 

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected.  It is not designed to cover every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the employee.