POSITION SUMMARY
The Vice President of Market Development is responsible for the overall development, management and coordination of ongoing domestic and international market development programs and activities for the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association, with special emphasis given to the areas of biofuels, exports, livestock/poultry feed demand, emerging uses for corn processing and new value-added businesses.
Additionally, the incumbent leads the Market Development Team, and as a member of the organization’s Management Team (reporting to the Chief Executive Officer), develops strategic business plans and objectives, coordinates functions and programs and manages business transformation strategies where programs and systems are complex and fluid. The position’s primary role is to be a contributing member of the Management Team, all while leading the Market Development Team through continuous internal and external changes that are inherent in today’s association/business environment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following are the essential duties of this position and do not include marginal functions that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. The scope and duties of a given position may change or be temporarily altered based on the business needs of Iowa Corn Growers Association.
Visioning / Strategic Planning & Evaluation
- Provides input into the organization’s strategic planning process and ensures alignment through annual evaluation of the approved plan’s goals and objectives within affiliated committees and issue areas.
- Actively leads the vision and strategic direction for the market development department to ensure through annual evaluation that the departmental goals, objectives and programs are meeting the intent of the overarching Iowa Corn Strategic Plan and CEO directives.
Market Development Initiatives
- Directs market development programs and projects in conjunction with the Exports & the Grain Trade (EGT), Industrial Usage & Production (UP), and Animal Agriculture & the Environment (AAE) Committees while serving as the staff liaison to the EGT Committee.
- Interprets and communicates relevant information to corn farmers, customers, partners and consumers regarding market development programs, regulations and opportunities.
- Develops and delivers presentations on market development activities to international guests, leadership groups, agriculture companies and organizations, farmers, etc.
- Leads collaborative market development efforts with other states and national partners.
- Facilitates interactions between farmers, businesses, organizations, and government officials for the purpose of maintaining and growing market opportunities and demand for corn in all forms.
External Partnerships
- Maintains relationships with USMEF, USGC and NCGA.
- Maintains relationships with IRFA, Growth Energy, RFA and ACE.
- Maintains relationships with instate commodity and farm groups, as well as state agencies, on market development activities and programs.
- Develops and maintains contacts with elevators, cooperatives, corn processors, ethanol producers, fuel retailers and agribusinesses.
- Represents Iowa Corn on relevant external committees and boards that are key to maintaining and growing demand for corn in all forms (i.e., NCGA ETHAT Committee, Ag Auto Ethanol Alliance Steering Committee, Clear Flame Engines Board Observer, etc.)
Internal Cross Collaboration
- Coordinates with government relations team to identify policy or regulatory issues that impact market development for corn in all forms.
- Cooperates with communications team to share corn market development news and information as well as develop market development messages for key audiences, including corn farmers, government officials, media, and the general public.
- Monitors new corn products and uses and works with the Research and Business Development team to foster new opportunities.
Management Responsibilities
- The Vice President of Market Development also provides effective leadership to the Market Development Team including the usual duties and responsibilities of a senior manager— selection, coaching, and termination; managing team and individual performance (on going and annual); training and development; compensation; addressing complaints and resolving problems; departmental budgeting; etc. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations’ policies and applicable laws.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
Experience Required:
- 7-10 years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Extensive knowledge preferred of U.S. agriculture, especially corn production, biofuels, exports and livestock markets and use
- Understanding and awareness of agriculture socio-economic and environmental issues necessary
Position Requirements:
- Ability to learn on the job and adapt to challenges.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient organization and time-management skills.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and work well in a team environment.
- Understand the need to support the organization to work effectively by adhering to the attendance and punctuality standards and does not burden co-workers and supervisors unfairly with unnecessary and unplanned absences and lateness.
- Analytical and highly motivated individual with acute attention to detail.
- Must handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion.
- Ability to use effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
- Ability to interact with a wide range of people including farmers, government officials, and non-government organizations (NGOs).
- Must be willing to travel.
- A valid driver’s license is necessary for required travel in Iowa to meet with farmers and attend events in rural communities, on a farm or in fields.
Reasoning Ability:
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram or schedule form.
Computer Skills:
- Ability to perform intermediate PC functions including spreadsheet formulas and functions, queries, tables, merges, and special reports.
- Ability to work efficiently with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Windows to complete job tasks.
Decision Making:
- Responsibilities are guided by a general set of policies or objectives.
- There is considerable freedom to make decisions within these policies or objectives.
- Work is periodically reviewed to determine if objectives have been met.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
This position works mostly in an office environment. It is an environment with moderate noise that is temperature controlled, ventilated, and well-lit. Working Conditions will include a desk space where most of the shift will be spent, and it provides open space to work in. When traveling, work environment will vary.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires sitting for extended periods of time. Standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, climbing or balancing, and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling is occasionally required. Requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
All inquiries and information will be handled in strict confidence. Interested parties should send their resume and cover letter to:
Laura Blomme
Hedlin Ag Enterprises
Phone: 515-444-7342 Email: lblomme@hedlinag.com