Management Associate (Req. 11960)

General Summary

Develops management skills and leadership competencies through successful completion of Management Training assignments at multiple SSC locations. Oversees key business components in the areas of operations, sales, merchandising, inventory, and financial management. Builds upon previous experience in the agricultural industry to assume increasing levels of management responsibility. Must be willing to relocate to SSC facilities within an assigned region. 

Essential Job Functions

Essential Job Functions may vary with each assignment and the merchandise mix, customer base, and business volume at various SSC locations.

• Demonstrate commitment to successfully executing a personalized Management Training Development Plan created in coordination with division leadership, training team, and local facility management. Relocate to multiple facilities within assigned region/division. Continuously communicate with management team to track progress and modify development plan as necessary. 
• Collaborate with the management team and employees at each location to generate sales, deliver customer service, and oversee operations. Assume a variety of key responsibilities based on location and personalized development plan. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following functions: 
  • Sales & Customer Service -- Implement strategies for achieving sales and/or production goals; assist with making on-site sales consultations at customer farms; support front-end, proactively assist showroom customers, resolve customer complaints; coach staff on sales techniques, interpersonal communication skills, product usage, and issue resolution.
  • Team Building -- Build positive rapport with team; manage employee issues fairly and consistently; lead team meetings to communicate goals and recognize achievements; remove obstacles to efficient performance; execute staffing plans; create schedules; administer performance reviews and corrective action in coordination with facility management.
  • Merchandising -- Develop and implement merchandising strategies for new and existing products; manage and update showroom displays; interpret plan-o-grams; ensure correct pricing; order promotional merchandise and supplies.
  • Operations -- Maintain compliance with operating standards; serve as a key holder to open and close facility; review daily, weekly, and monthly metrics reports; support local events; lead equipment maintenance, safety, and housekeeping initiatives.
  • Inventory Management -- Oversee warehouse functions, ensure optimum quantities of merchandise and supplies are ordered; lead inventory integrity processes; resolve and prevent issues of loss and tracking errors.
  • Financial -- Oversee assigned business office functions such as accounting, payroll, returns processing, inventor receiving & management, customer/vendor relations, AR/AP, credits, and/or other transactions; monitor expenditures and control costs; ensure compliance with policies and regulations.
•  Learn and maintain awareness of industry trends, regulations, and updates to SSC products and services through a variety of resources, including: professional organizations, seminars, conferences, training courses, self-study, and on-line tools as outlined in development planning. 
• Promote the SSC brand and business philosophy in a positive and customer-focused manner throughout the local community and sales region. Develop a network of both internal and external contacts to increase product, industry, and community knowledge. Attend local meetings, truck rodeos, and customer care conferences. Build business relationships with local civic leaders and patrons. 
• Depending upon product mix, research and assess regional merchandising techniques, pricing trends and/or fluctuation in commodities markets. Gather data through observations of competitors and/or market performance. Collaborate with corporate and regional counterparts to ensure proper pricing to optimize inventory supply and profits. Partner with corporate inventory management, replenishment, and merchandising teams. 
• Effectively operate all facility equipment, including loaders, spreaders, forklifts, pick-ups, delivery trucks, blenders, and other specialized equipment on-site. Maintain valid licensing and certification as necessary. 
• Maintain a clean, safe facility to meet OSHA and EPA regulations and Southern States Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, and all applicable policies and work rules. Lead safety initiatives, safety training, and monitor employees for safe performance. Perform work safely as to not cause harm to yourself, customers, co-workers, equipment, or inventory. Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required. Maintain current Emergency Response Planning records. 
• May assume additional functions of the Retail Store Manager, Agronomy Operations Manager, or Plant Superintendent during his/her absence. 
• Perform all other job functions as assigned.

• A combination of completed coursework and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

  Education: Bachelor's Degree, will also consider an Associate's Degree from select programs with specialization in agronomy, plant science, animal science, business management, or a related field of study. 

  Experience:Prefer up to two (2) years of sales or operations experience in the agricultural industry.SSC experience strongly preferred. 

  Licensing & Certification: Requires valid Driver's License

  Depending upon location, may also require:

• Forklift Certification (or ability to obtain)
• CDL / hazmat endorsement (or ability to obtain)
• Restricted Chemical License (or ability to obtain)
• Petroleum and/or Propane Certification (or ability to obtain) 

• Requirements:

• Demonstrate a commitment to SSC mission, vision and values
• Able to learn and develop knowledge of SSC products and services and the regional agricultural industry
• Able to learn and effectively apply knowledge of daily operations to drive sales volume, minimize expenses, and enforce polices and operating procedures to support business goals
• Able to learn and effectively apply knowledge of regulations governing storage, distribution and sales of manufactured goods, agricultural products, petroleum, propane, and/or related merchandise
• Able to perform data analysis and utilize results to optimize performance and increase profitability
• Able to manage budgets and monitor expenses
• Able to utilize creative thinking and problem solving skills to develop solutions
  • Able to communicate clearly and effectively with customers, staff, management, and external counterparts
  • Able to consistently demonstrate customer-focused interpersonal skills and professional communication
  • Able to learn and develop knowledge, skills and abilities relating to servant leadership, building and motivating teams, and delegating responsibilities
  • Able to maintain composure while managing conflict and stressful situations
  • Attention to detail, accuracy and accountability
  • Computer literacy to utilize MS Office products and SSC business systems
  • Able to work in a fast paced, customer focused, team environment
  • Able to speak, read, write the English language in a proficient manner
  • Able to work extended hours to meet business demands
  • Must be willing to relocate for management career progression 

• Work Environment

  The work environment will vary based on location. Essential job functions are performed indoors in a climate controlled environment, in a warehouse environment subject to seasonal temperatures and humidity, and outdoors unprotected from weather conditions. 

  Regularly exposed to hazards including:

• Merchandise, supplies and tools with sharp edges or containing hazardous materials
• Dust, odors, fumes and hazardous chemicals associated with sales and storage of various fuels, dry and liquid fertilizers, crop protectants and other agricultural, residential, animal care and home care products
• Moving mechanical parts and vehicles, vibrations and electric current
• Draughts, temperature changes and wet floors due to facility doors opening during adverse weather
• Noise levels where hearing protection is optional per PPE Plan 

• Schedule requirements will vary based on location. Extended hours and/or alternate work schedules may be required. Ability to report to work on time and in adverse weather conditions is required. 

  Physical Activities & Requirements

  Physical activities and requirements will vary based on location and merchandise mix. Below is a general description.

• Continuously bend and stoop; manual dexterity (fingers and hands) and utilize repetitive hand motion with merchandise and tools including computers and motorized vehicles; reach with arms and hands for extended periods; stand and walk for extended periods, at times may be on concrete or uneven surfaces; utilize eye/hand coordination; twist back and neck. Pull, push, lift, carry up to 50 pounds. 
• Frequently climb, crouch, stack, and sweep. Pull, push, lift, carry 50-80 pounds, may be assisted. 
• Occasionally balance, kneel, shovel and sit. Pull, push, lift, carry 80-100 pounds, may be assisted. 

• Must be able to speak to co-workers and customers regarding sales, operations and safety. Must be able to hear customer service phone calls, hand held radio, equipment and vehicle sounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

  Tools & Equipment

  Tools and equipment will vary based on location and merchandise mix. Below is a general description.

  Hand held scanner, telephone, hand held radio, computer, printer, scanner, copier, fax machine, writing instrument, reports, logs, spreadsheets, merchandising diagrams (planograms), point-of-sale terminal, petroleum and/or propane equipment and terminals, fertilizer and crop protectant blenders and spreaders, loaders, forklifts, pick-ups, delivery trucks, and other tools and equipment. 

  Southern States Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, family medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws, or regulations.