Job Description:
Provide leadership to the Next Big Thing Cooperative, an apple grower cooperative of new and emerging varieties. Develop strategic planning to advance the company's mission and objectives and to promote communication and collaboration to the organization and its membership. Oversee company operations and finances to ensure stewardship of it brands, be informative to the membership, coordinate strategies with the marketing and technical committees, facilitate governance with the Board of Directors, manage the intellectual property agreements/licenses and oversee the finances of the Cooperative with the Audit Committee.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties:
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Develop strategic plans to advance the company's mission and objectives.
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Promote the co-op brand and communicate the success of the co-op members to the community.
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Oversee company operations and finances to ensure quality, service, and cost-effective management of resources.
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Identify issues, inform members and provide guidance of opportunities and challenges to the BOD. Develop implementation strategies as directed by the Board.
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Establishes company operational procedures, policies, and standards.
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Review activity reports and financial statements to determine progress and status in attaining objectives and revise objectives and plans in accordance with current conditions.
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Evaluate performance of member packers and sale companies for compliance with established policies and objectives of the company.
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Promote the varieties of the co-op through the Marketing Committee to local, regional, national, and international organizations, growers, breeders and marketers.
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Present company report at Annual General Meeting and Board of Director meetings.
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Direct company planning and policy-making activities in line with Board strategies and directives.
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Oversee foreign operations/partners to ensure effective interaction and harmonization of activities.
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Responsible for the hiring and oversight of support staff.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree (B. A.) in Public Relations, Business Management or related field; and 7 or more years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
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Experience in strategic planning and execution.
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Knowledge of contracting, negotiating, and change management.
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Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures.
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Experience in formulating policy and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
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Ability to develop financial plans and manage resources.
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Ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
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Knowledge of public relations principles and practices.
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Knowledge of communication and public relation techniques.
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Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
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Ability to identify and secure funding/revenue sources.
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Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
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Ability to communicate and interact with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
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Ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects.
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Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule and travel.
Areas of Interaction
ADMINISTRATION
ADMINISTRATION
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Executes all BOD approved agreements and legal documents of the co-op.
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Negotiates License Agreements and contracted services with third parties (Breeding programs, Nurseries, Universities, and third party co-operators) and presents as necessary for BOD approval.
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Develops budget forecasts in conjunction with the co-op’s Treasurer.
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Participates in the compilation of financial reports and forward-looking financial projections.
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Works with the Treasurer to maintain accurate Patronage Accounts for the membership.
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Prepares royalty reports for submission to License holders.
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Approves expense reports and accounts payable billings for payment.
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Schedules and participates in most Committee calls.
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Coordinate arrangements for the Annual Growers Meeting.
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Works with counsel to review legal questions and maintain the Co-operatives memorialized records.
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Respond to potential patent and trademark infringements and work with the Licensee to protect the Agreements and the Intellectual Property of the variety owners and/or other licensors.
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Work with the variety owner and/or other licensors on value added product extensions under the trademark.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
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Works with Treasurer to prepare for Independent Auditors work.
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Coordinates regular conference calls to review financial data.
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On the direction of the Audit committee examines financial policies and procedures, prepares operating budgets and cashflow projections, drafts policy on expense reimbursements and communicates policies to members.
BEST PRACTICES
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Work with Committee chair and members to implement horticultural protocols developed by the Committee.
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Provides year end production records.
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Maintains records members tree plantings.
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Coordinates payments, tree shipments and record keeping on research and development projects with third party vendors.
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Provides field support for Committee chair through onsite orchard visits and reporting.
MARKETING COMMITTEE
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Work with the Committee Chair on various activities such as; scheduling and preparing the agenda for all meetings, crop estimates by region, marketing budget development, packaging development and promotional opportunities.
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Work closely with the co-op’s PR firm to refine the brand position, prepare messaging points and develop communications strategies for our delivery platforms.
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Working with the co-op’s treasurer to monitor the marketing expenditure on a monthly basis and adjust future expense to maintain the budget integrity.
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Foster ongoing communications between the sales desks and the PR firm to maximize brand stories and impression in the marketplace.
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Work with all sales desks to ensure they have the proper communications tools and strategy to develop local media opportunities. Provide support material as needed.
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Communicate our outreach programs with the membership and solicit their story contributions for publication.
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Participate in national account sales calls and conference calls.
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Cultivate trade and press opportunities for the cooperative and its members.
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Work with foreign licensees to assure a cooperative sales relationship with the potential exporters to our markets.
NBT Cooperative will pay a competitive salary and benefits coverage befitting the position and the applicant’s experience. EOE AA.
