Grower Relations Manager

Description

Job Title: Grower Relations Manager

Location: Fresno, CA (Central California- flexible)

Department: Farming

FLSA Status: (to be assigned by Corporate HR): Exempt

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Position Summary

Reporting to Vice President of Almonds, the Grower Relations Manager will be responsible for bringing in almonds by identifying new Growers to partner with and strengthening relationships with existing Growers. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing a network of Grower relationships. This role will be the main point of contact between the Growers and our almond processing plant, Hughson Nut, Inc (HNI), and be the go-to person for any information or support growers would need from HNI. As a bridge between Growers and HNI, this role will ensure that almonds are delivered and processed in a timely manner during season. A successful candidate will hold a clean driving record and be available to travel up to 90% of the time to Grower locations. The Grower Relations Manager should be able to work independently and be technically savvy. The ideal candidate will have a desire to solve problems and continually increase HNI’s handle.

Position Responsibilities

• Grow HNI’s handle of almonds sourced from California growers by identifying and acquiring new growers.
• Develop and manage relationships with existing HNI growers to maintain and grow with existing grower base.
• Serve as the main point of contact for growers, travel to grower sites to understand the challenges and opportunities that the grower community has with respect to their business with HNI and address any queries they may have.
• Provide timely solutions to any queries/concerns by partnering with internal HNI and ofi staff.
• Work with growers to identify their unique business needs to determine how HNI’s business and processes could meet their needs. Assist growers in the signing and renewal process of contracts.
• Provide Growers with their product quality reports, account statements, market reports, and proactively provide information that growers seek.
• Coordination with huller managers and third party trucking company during season to have product seamlessly delivered to HNI.
• Pro-actively research market trends in the industry to be a subject matter expert and provide Growers with valued updates.
• Gather estimates of crop size from Growers for the Sales and Marketing department. Provide samples from the Growers to determine crop size estimates.
• Other duties as needed.
  
  

Position Requirements

• High school diploma required, Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Agriculture is preferred.
• Three (3) years’ Sales or Grower Relations experience in the California Agriculture industry is required, preferably in the nuts industry.
• A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is required.
• Desire and ability to travel is required, it could be up to 90% of the time.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office: Power Point, Word, and Excel are required.
• Will be required to work long days during harvest season. Flexibility with work hours and location will be required.
• Proven ability to prospect, negotiate, and acquire new business alongside strengthening relationships with existing business is required.
• Must have a passion for the industry and be a subject matter expert.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and meet deadlines is required. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are required.
• Competitive incentive package
  
  

The pay for this role in the state of California ranges from $84,000 to $112,000 and is based on the position responsibilities and geographic location. Actual pay within this range may be determined based on candidate’s experience, qualifications and/or other determining factors.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at: [email protected]

At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. Olam Americas LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.