Chief Executive Officer

Location:
Hybrid schedule with regional and national travel.

Organizational Overview

Florida Dairy Farmers is a collective funded by dairy farm families throughout Florida.

We collaborate with dairy producers, foodservice entities, educational institutions, health professionals, local organizations, state officials, media, and consumers to advocate for dairy products and enhance awareness of the dairy sector to boost sales.

Mission

Our goal is to inform Floridians about the state's dairy farming sector and promote dairy products as a vital component of a healthy diet.

We aim to improve the public perception of the dairy farming industry and elevate the sales of milk and dairy products statewide through education and public relations initiatives.

We are dedicated to representing Florida's dairy farm families, and through collaboration and effective communication, we share the responsibility to deliver excellence while upholding the highest standards of integrity.

Position Overview

The Chief Executive Officer is accountable for the comprehensive management, financial oversight, administration, member communication, and programming for the Association, which encompasses Florida Dairy Farmers and our affiliated organization, Dairy and Food Nutrition Council, a 501(c) 3.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is tasked with executing policies sanctioned by the Board.

The CEO supervises three direct reports - VP Communications, VP Youth Wellness, and VP Finance & Administration - and is responsible for a team of 12 employees and a budget of $5.5 million.

Position Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Provides strategic guidance for the Association's leadership team.
• Collaborates with the Staff Leadership Team and personnel to formulate and execute strategic plans, operational frameworks, and performance management for the organization.
• Establishes a staffing framework that promotes the effective delivery of programs and services, achievement of objectives, and efficient management.
• Oversees all human resource functions, including recruitment, evaluation, compensation, and termination of staff to ensure alignment with the organization's goals.
• Offers leadership, support, and empowerment to team members for the advancement of their objectives.
• Implements supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies, as ratified by the Board of Directors, and relevant laws.
• Engages in selected professional development and training opportunities.
• If licensed or certified in a relevant area, maintains credentials pertinent to the position.

Program Responsibilities

• Oversees the planning, development, execution, supervision, and assessment of all Florida Dairy Farmers' initiatives to ensure the fulfillment of the organization's mission.
• Acts as the primary spokesperson for Florida Dairy Farmers and manages all public and media relations.
• Represents the organization as its chief executive in interactions with Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI), National Dairy Board (NDB), United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), among others.
• Participates in DMI Committees, as appropriate, to advocate for Florida Dairy Farmers.

Management of Administrative Responsibilities

• Ensures the overall financial stability of the Association, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, overseeing funding maintenance and acquisition.
• Guarantees that the financial operations of Florida Dairy Farmers adhere to policies and guidelines established by the Board and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Develops operational procedures (in conjunction with applicable laws) and determines administrative and supervisory details concerning the organization's operation and maintenance.
• Manages the prudent use of Florida Dairy Farmers' financial, material, and personnel resources, ensuring the maintenance of all necessary records.
• Provides regular financial reports to the Board.
• Directs the formulation of the annual budget and program plan and submits them to the Board for approval.
• Authorizes expenditures within the limits of the Board-approved budget.
• Ensures the implementation of sound risk management policies.

Board Responsibilities

• Regularly updates the Board regarding program plans, content and outcomes; budget and financial status; personnel matters; and other issues of concern to the Board.
• Identifies key issues for Board deliberation.
• Initiates the development of policies for Board approval and ensures the execution of all Board policies and actions.
• Consistently provides the Board with sufficient information to facilitate sound decision-making and policy establishment.
• Attends all Board and Board Committee meetings and engages in discussions during these meetings.
• Facilitates orientation for new Board members.
• Consults with Board leadership in preparing agendas and materials for Board and committee meetings.

Member, Dairy Industry and Other Communications

• Fosters relationships and maintains regular communication with key funding sources and Board members, representing the organization as a knowledgeable and trustworthy leader.
• Oversees and coordinates the planning and development of Florida Dairy Farmers' member communication initiatives, including membership growth and retention.
• Supports and maintains direct relationships with state ADA's, co-op management, out-of-area organizations, and other entities involved with and/or generating Florida Dairy Farmers' income.

Key Priorities

• Strives to be highly visible, establishing genuine rapport and fostering positive working relationships with key stakeholders (Dairy Farmers, Staff, Dairy Management, Inc., peer State and Regional Executive Directors/CEOs, and other allied dairy organizations).
• Conducts an organizational assessment and provides recommendations to enhance infrastructure and operational effectiveness.
• Ensures that current programs yield a solid return on investment and effectively promote and sell more dairy products.
• Continues to nurture existing external relationships and seeks additional industry partners to amplify the organization's impact.
• Explores avenues to enhance the organization's image and outreach.
• In collaboration with the Board, establishes key metrics to monitor organizational progress.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader and culture builder, dedicated to the mission and Florida Dairy Farmers' Board of Directors.

Working closely with the Board, they must be committed to organizational growth through collaboration.

The successful candidate will be a strategic and forward-thinking marketing executive with a proven history of increasing sales and fostering organizational growth, known for building strong personal and professional relationships.

The ideal candidate must also possess unquestionable integrity, professionalism, and a positive work ethic. They will have strong presentation and communication skills, with an approachable, personable, and inclusive management style.

This individual will be an attentive listener, who patiently and sincerely seeks input from all stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will cultivate a workplace culture and environment where staff are eager to come to work. The ability to communicate clearly and inspire others is a critical requirement.

The capacity to connect with individuals at all levels, coupled with the humility to acknowledge shortcomings and a desire for continuous growth and development, is also essential.

The ideal candidate will have a commanding presence and be a transparent, engaging communicator, whether addressing individuals or speaking to large audiences.

This individual will apply relevant business acumen and possess a genuine, visible, infectious passion for enhancing the impact of Florida Dairy Farmers in the marketplace.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in business, marketing, management, agricultural science, food, nutrition, or a related field from an accredited institution is required.

A minimum of 10 years of management experience is also required. Experience in managing an association is advantageous.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to make timely and appropriate decisions aligned with strategic goals; comprehend the business implications of decisions. Ability to align activities with the Organization's Mission, Vision, Values, Strategic Objectives, and Policy Manual.
• Ability to lead and delegate work assignments; monitor activities; recognize results; provide performance evaluations and feedback; and develop subordinates' skills while encouraging growth.
• Ability to commit to extended hours of work when necessary to achieve objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to build teams.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel) and similar applications.
• Willingness to travel extensively, primarily within Florida and to other regions for national meetings, etc.

Benefits

We recognize that to achieve our goal of increasing dairy demand, we need the best talent. Our culture is highly collaborative, and we value diverse perspectives and styles of thought.

Our comprehensive health and welfare plans include employer-funded medical, dental, life, EAP, and long-term disability. We also offer generous PTO, holidays, maternity, and paid parental leave plans. Our 401(K) includes a Safe Harbor Contribution, employer matching, and non-matching contributions. Florida Dairy Farmers reserves the right to modify or terminate its benefits plans or programs at any time.

We regret that we cannot communicate with candidates except those who closely match our requirements. Thank you.

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