VP, Retail Bus & Strategic Relationship Lead - GROWMARK, Inc. - Bloomington, IL

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.

See what it's like to work at GROWMARK: https://youtu.be/CSVMnKCySsY

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

Assumes overall responsibility for the financial health, vitality, performance and results of assigned GROWMARK Retail and Subsidiary operations. Acts as member resource lead for select member companies, cultivating strategic business relationships between members and GROWMARK business units to maximize sales for the GROWMARK System.

SUPERVISION AND LEADERSHIP

Supervises, leads and develops select retail and subsidiary Managers, Director Retail Accounting, and Retail Business Managers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Participates in corporate management strategic short and long term decision making processes and recommendations through involvement with the EVP, Retail, and CEO Staff functions.

Leads, develops and provides overall direction in the short and long term strategic planning of the Retail and Subsidiary businesses.  Provides recommendations and facilitates improvements that support the overall business direction and strategy.

Provides analysis and reports to the EVP, Retail and Board of Directors along with recommendations based on key performance indicators and long term strategic business plans.  Leads assigned divisions in achieving business objectives.

Partners with, and provides overall direction, through supervised staff for the following:

• Retail market development and activities to achieve profitable GROWMARK System geographic and volume growth.
• Retail operating units ensuring management development and succession, assisting in the development and activation of their organization structure, personnel, finance, facility and marketing programs, and recommending objectives, goals, policies and practices related to retail operations.
• Development and implementation of short- and long-range marketing strategies, including the identification of primary market objectives and the design of distribution systems to reach these markets effectively to achieve budgeted growth and profit results.
• Ensures collaboration across support divisions to support Division objectives.  Responsible for ensuring business and financial operations and processes are in alignment with GROWMARK policies and standards.

Partners with select FS Members to achieve the following objectives:

• Ensure effective policies, procedures, systems, and controls are implemented and utilized to manage and mitigate risk. 
• Compliance with all aspects of the Membership Agreement and monitoring the effectiveness and administration of the Uniform Management Agreement.
• Management development and succession planning, assisting in the development of organizational structure, personnel development, goals, strategic objectives, policies, and practices that are compatible with those of GROWMARK.
• Assisting in promoting and achieving a positive image of the GROWMARK System among members, patrons, stockholders, and the general public.
• Responsible for leading, planning, identifying and analyzing potential mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, along with their impact on profitability.

• Lead System actions to achieve, where feasible, full geographic coverage for GROWMARK’S products and services.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Serves as the corporation’s representative on various boards of directors and on professional committees and advisory boards as directed.

Recommends policies relating to assigned activities and directs execution upon approval.

Innovation

• Actively collaborates with Director of Innovation and other System leaders on strategic discussions, studies, and pilot projects related to innovation
• Responsible for encouraging, supporting, and promoting innovative practices, ideas, and technologies within team

Enterprise

• Actively engaged in prioritization and monetization of digital strategies
• Engagement and adoption of an enterprise level marketing framework and support for FS Brand development.
• Engage, support and promote operational excellence to fully realize operational efficiencies and enhanced customer care within Wholesale Businesses.

Meeting Participation

• Participate in Quarterly Shareholder updates
• Leads assigned all-employee meetings
• Leads assigned Key Leadership Team (KLT) meetings
• Participates in periodic GROWMARK Board meetings for Operational Updates

Follows GROWMARK’s Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply.

Actively collaborates with Director of Innovation and other System leaders on strategic discussions, studies, and pilot projects related to innovation.

Responsible for encouraging, supporting, and promoting innovative practices, ideas, and technologies within the team.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Normally requires a college degree or equivalent and 9 or more years’ experience with member cooperative and GROWMARK staff in a leadership and management capacity.  Master’s degree is desirable.

Demonstrated knowledge of member cooperative marketing, operations, and finance.

Understanding and experience with management-related areas including management strategic thinking, leadership, and decision-making; organizational analysis and structure, managing change, motivation, policies and procedures, and compliance along with strategic planning, budgeting, and communications.

Demonstrated ability to develop and strengthen partnerships, assess business opportunities, and negotiate appropriate agreements with others inside and outside of the organization.

Proven supervisory and leadership skills including staffing, orientation, coaching, performance evaluations, training, and development, etc. and the ability to achieve results through others.

Proven professional management communication, interpersonal, persuasion, and presentation skills.

Demonstrated problem-solving skills including analysis, evaluation, and implementation of solutions.

Must have a valid driver’s license and passport and have the ability to work extended hours and travel independently and overnight

Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development.

Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK’s policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, including protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. Employment may be contingent upon receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.