Member Relations Manager

Job Description

Description:

Join the always-growing family at Ellsworth Creamery as we work with our cooperative of local farmers to create award-winning cheese! Committed to our Team, Craft & Community, Since 1910.

ABOUT ELLSWORTH CREAMERY: At Ellsworth Creamery, our team members are more than employees; you are like family and we want you to succeed. This culture has contributed to the longevity of our staff, whose careers at Ellsworth Creamery span 10, 20 and even 50 years! Our Ellsworth, Wisconsin facility specializes solely in the production of our world-famous All Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds, both natural and flavored, our All Natural Cheddar Cheese Curd Crumbles and sweet whey powder.

Benefits Package:

Full Time employees are eligible for benefits on the 1st of the month, following 30 days of employment.

Medical, Health Savings Account, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital insurances available.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other free resources.

401k match, Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay

Member Relations Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt/Salaried

Reports to: CEO

Position Summary:

The Member Relations Manager serves as the primary liaison between the cooperative and its member-owners (dairy farmers). This role builds trusted relationships with dairy producers while supporting milk quality, regulatory compliance, animal care standards, and overall farm performance. The Member Relations Manager works closely with producers to help them meet cooperative requirements, protect milk quality, and understand cooperative programs, while also serving as the voice of the farm internally. This position plays a critical role in strengthening member engagement, ensuring a safe and consistent milk supply, and supporting the long-term success of both producers and the cooperative.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Member Relations & Support (Core of the Role)

Serves as the main point of contact between the cooperative and dairy producers

Builds long-term, trust-based relationships with member farms

Communicates cooperative policies, pricing updates, programs, and changes

Acts as an advocate for producers inside the cooperative

Milk Quality & Food Safety

Supports producers in meeting milk quality standards (e.g., SCC, bacteria counts)

Help troubleshoot quality issues (mastitis, sanitation, equipment concerns)

Ensures compliance with FDA / PMO regulations, cooperative quality programs, customer requirements

Coordinates testing, follow-ups, and corrective action plans

Compliance, Audits & Documentation

Prepares farms for inspections and third-party audits

Reviews records related to animal care, sanitation, and milk handling

Help producers understand and implement animal welfare standards

Ensures traceability and documentation are accurate and timely

Farm Business & Performance Support

Helps producers understand: Milk checks and pricing components, Incentives, premiums, or penalties and Production trends and benchmarks

May advise on production efficiency, cost control, herd health indicators

Identifies farms at risk and escalates early support

People Leadership & Supervision

Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and support to assigned direct report

Prioritize and delegate work to ensure timely and consistent service to member farms

Support onboarding, training, and ongoing development of direct report(s)

Participate in performance feedback and evaluation in partnership with management

Model cooperative values, professionalism, and accountability

Communication & Internal Coordination

Acts as the voice of the farm to internal teams: Operations, Quality, Logistics, Leadership

Shares field insights that influence: Policy changes, program design, capacity planning

Maintain accurate documentation, visit notes, and required reports

Participate in team meetings, training, and cooperative initiatives

Cooperative Engagement & Governance Support

Educates members on how the cooperative works (governance, voting, patronage)

Encourages participation in meetings, committees, elections

Reinforces cooperative values: shared success, long-term stability

Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned Requirements:

Required Skills/Abilities:

Strong knowledge of dairy farming operations, milk quality standards, animal care practices

Relationship-driven, credible, and trusted by producers

Sound judgment and integrity

Ability to have constructive, difficult conversations

Strong organizational and documentation skills

Problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset

Respect for cooperative values and member ownership

Quick learner, self-motivated and ability to work independently

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Troubleshoot, problem solve complex dairy/farm operations issues

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Animal Science, Agriculture, or related field or equivalent experience

Working knowledge of dairy farm operations and milk quality standards

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to build trust and credibility with producers

Demonstrated ability to guide or support others in a work setting

Ability to manage a field territory independently

Valid driver’s license and ability to travel regularly

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience in dairy field services, quality assurance, or producer relations

Familiarity with PMO regulations and third-party audit requirements

Experience working in a cooperative or producer-owned organization

Background in milk quality improvement or animal care programs

Previous informal or formal leadership experience

Physical Requirements/Special Requirements:

Regular on-farm visits in agricultural environments

Ability to work in active farm environments and perform physically demanding tasks throughout the workday

Regular walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and ladders, and entering/exiting milk tanks and farm equipment areas

Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and standing for extended periods

Ability to work in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow

Ability to safely work around livestock, machinery, and agricultural equipment

Ability to work flexible hours based on producer needs

Valid driver's license required

Maintain a Sampler’s License

Full-time