Territory Manager, Farmer & Industry Relations

The Territory Manager, Farmer & Industry Relations is responsible for establishing, maintaining and growing business relationships with dairy farmers, industry representatives, and key organizations within the assigned Dairy MAX region. This role plays a critical part in ensuring continued engagement and support for dairy promotion, education, and research initiatives at the local, regional, and national level.

The Territory Manager, Farmer & Industry Relations serves as a trusted connector between dairy farmers and the dairy checkoff, communicating the value, impact, and outcomes of initiatives led by Dairy MAX, Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), and other national dairy organizations.

• Develop business relationships with area dairy farmers, dairy industry representatives, co-op field reps and community leaders representing dairy interests
• Utilize a sales-minded approach to effectively communicate the value of Dairy MAX check-off programs and how they drive demand for dairy farmers and industry leaders.
• Build and manage relationships with strategic partners, cooperatives, universities, industry organizations and community stakeholders to help amplify our impact and value for our dairy farmers.
• Navigate difficult conversations and differing viewpoints with professionalism and composure.
• Develop and execute a territory engagement strategy that leverages one-to-one, one-to-few, and one-to-many interactions, with a primary focus on scalable engagement opportunities (one-to-many or one-to-few) that strengthen farmer connections, foster dialogue, and effectively communicate the value of dairy checkoff investments.

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships that advance Dairy MAX priorities, adds value to our dairy farmers and helps us amplify impact.
• Identify opportunities to collaborate with universities, industry organizations, agriculture partners, and community leaders, especially around next generation ag leadership.
• Represent Dairy MAX at industry meetings, conferences and stakeholder engagements (ex. Cooperative meetings).
• Foster collaboration among farmers, partners, and Dairy MAX teams.

• Work with the Director and the Farmer Relations team to develop and implement effective programming in assigned territory related to regional (Dairy MAX) and national (DMI) dairy check-off.
• Lead select territory-based projects and initiatives.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, stakeholders, partners and KPI outcomes.
• Proactively identify and leverage opportunities to advance Dairy MAX programs, partnerships, and initiatives that drive value for dairy farmers.
• Collaborate with internal subject matter experts (SME’s) to connect farmers with relevant resources and information.
• Lead and support strategic farmer and agriculture industry events that advance Dairy MAX priorities, strengthen dairy farmer relationships and awareness of dairy checkoff.

• Maintain accurate territory plans, stakeholder records, engagement activities, and event outcomes.
• Report farmer insights, stakeholder feedback, opportunities, risks, and emerging trends.
• Track progress against territory goals and organizational priorities.
• Utilize organizational systems (business cases, tactic charters, etc.) and tools (Hub Spot, ) to document activities and support data-driven decision making.

• Increase industry awareness and knowledge through trainings and other educational activities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and engaging with professional organizations.

• Collaborate with other departments within Dairy MAX to support and accomplish our strategic objectives and foster a culture of trust.

• Ability to communicate complex concepts in a clear and compelling manner and connect farmers to the impact of dairy checkoff investments.

• Ability to build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, events, and…