Regional and DHI Manager

Hours: Full time
Location: Home-based in the eastern S.D./western Minn./northwest Iowa region, with regular travel throughout the I-29 corridor in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa.
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2026

GET MORE from your career with Central Star Cooperative, the largest Dairy Herd Information (DHI) program in the United States, and Select Sires Member Cooperative (SSMC), both part of the Select Sires Federation.

Under the general direction of the Central Star Director of DHI Services and SSMC Area Business Director, the Regional A.I. and DHI Manager oversees the effective management and selling of Dairy Herd Information (DHI) testing, dairy- and beef-cattle genetics, herd-management products, and various services, including artificial-insemination (A.I.)-sales-and-service operations within the designated region.

This multifaceted role provides leadership in both sales and farm-data management, focusing on planning, promoting, and coordinating programs to achieve balanced goals that support the cooperative’s mission and vision. The manager leads a high-performing team, drives sales strategies, builds strong customer relationships, and ensures exceptional service delivery to support growth and expand market share.

• Provide supervision, guidance, and direction to DHI field staff, Account Managers, Area Sales Managers, A.I. Technicians, Genetic Advisors, and Distributors.
• Maintain regular communication with business managers and field staff, providing coaching, goal setting, constructive feedback, and leadership modeling to strengthen team effectiveness, professional growth, and customer satisfaction.
• Plan and facilitate team meetings — including training, education, team building, and mandatory sessions — to support professional development and ensure eligibility for Central Star Team-Member Success Share.
• Work closely with business-unit teams, including A.I., DHI, laboratory, and support staff, to build strong interdepartmental relationships, as well as with partner organizations such as DRMS to support record processing.
• Develop and implement effective sales strategies aligned with company objectives and genetic-product availability.
• Analyze market trends and customer needs to identify opportunities for growth and expansion.
• Assess hiring needs, conduct interviews, and make employment selections in alignment with cooperative guidelines, budget, and business requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients and members, addressing concerns promptly through various communication channels.
• Ensure herds are fully staffed for cattle breeding and/or testing; this includes the occasional need for this role to directly provide these services, but only when necessary.
• Prepare annual budgets, track expenditures, review financial statements, and establish revenue goals.
• Manage expenses and oversee billing processes, ensuring compliance with commission programs and established financial structures.
• Monitor and analyze sales and performance metrics, providing detailed reports to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with policies and industry regulations; maintain accurate records of sales and activities; and prepare regular reports, including documentation required for National DHIA and quality control system (QCS) audits.
• Implement and support technological advancements for use by field and sales staff, evaluating effectiveness and benefits for dairy producers and the cooperative.
• Provide high-level support for on-farm-software systems such as DART, Dairy Comp 305, Bovi Sync, and others.
• Collaborate with team members to resolve producer concerns within the business units, using the most appropriate communication method for each situation.
• Represent the cooperative at industry events and functions, recruiting and initiating business opportunities in line with the company mission and vision.
• Submit sales, invoicing, travel, and expense reports accurately and timely.
• Work with human resources regarding disciplinary actions and documentation, when necessary.
• Expand personal and team knowledge through education, industry events, and seminars.
• Model a high level of integrity,…