Member Relations Manager at Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery – Ellsworth, Wisconsin

Join the always-growing family at Ellsworth Creamery as we work with our cooperative of local farmers to create award-winning cheese! Committed to our Team, Craft & Community, Since 1910.

ABOUT ELLSWORTH CREAMERY: At Ellsworth Creamery, our team members are more than employees; you are like family and we want you to succeed. This culture has contributed to the longevity of our staff, whose careers at Ellsworth Creamery span 10, 20 and even 50 years! Our Ellsworth, Wisconsin facility specializes solely in the production of our world-famous All Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds, both natural and flavored, our All Natural Cheddar Cheese Curd Crumbles and sweet whey powder.

Benefits Package:

• Full Time employees are eligible for benefits on the 1st of the month, following 30 days of employment.
• Medical, Health Savings Account, Dental, Vision, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital insurances available.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other free resources.
• 401k match, Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay

Member Relations Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt/Salaried

Reports to: CEO

Position Summary:

The Member Relations Manager serves as the primary liaison between the cooperative and its member-owners (dairy farmers). This role builds trusted relationships with dairy producers while supporting milk quality, regulatory compliance, animal care standards, and overall farm performance. The Member Relations Manager works closely with producers to help them meet cooperative requirements, protect milk quality, and understand cooperative programs, while also serving as the voice of the farm internally. This position plays a critical role in strengthening member engagement, ensuring a safe and consistent milk supply, and supporting the long-term success of both producers and the cooperative.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Member Relations & Support (Core of the Role)

• Serves as the main point of contact between the cooperative and dairy producers
• Builds long-term, trust-based relationships with member farms
• Communicates cooperative policies, pricing updates, programs, and changes
• Acts as an advocate for producers inside the cooperative

Milk Quality & Food Safety

• Supports producers in meeting milk quality standards (e.g., SCC, bacteria counts)
• Help troubleshoot quality issues (mastitis, sanitation, equipment concerns)
• Ensures compliance with FDA / PMO regulations, cooperative quality programs, customer requirements
• Coordinates testing, follow-ups, and corrective action plans

Compliance, Audits & Documentation

• Prepares farms for inspections and third-party audits
• Reviews records related to animal care, sanitation, and milk handling
• Help producers understand and implement animal welfare standards
• Ensures traceability and documentation are accurate and timely

Farm Business & Performance Support

• Helps producers understand: Milk checks and pricing components, Incentives, premiums, or penalties and Production trends and benchmarks
• May advise on production efficiency, cost control, herd health indicators
• Identifies farms at risk and escalates early support

People Leadership & Supervision

• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and support to assigned direct report
• Prioritize and delegate work to ensure timely and consistent service to member farms
• Support onboarding, training, and ongoing development of direct report(s)
• Participate in performance feedback and evaluation in partnership with management
• Model cooperative values, professionalism, and accountability

Communication & Internal Coordination

• Acts as the voice of the farm to internal teams: Operations, Quality, Logistics, Leadership
• Shares field insights that influence: Policy changes, program design, capacity planning
• Maintain accurate documentation, visit notes, and required reports
• Participate in team meetings, training, and cooperative initiatives

Cooperative Engagement & Governance Support

• Educates members on how the cooperative works (governance, voting, patronage)
• Encourages participation in meetings, committees, elections
• Reinforces cooperative values: shared success, long-term stability

Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of dairy farming operations, milk quality standards, animal care practices
• Relationship-driven, credible, and trusted by producers
• Sound judgment and integrity
• Ability to have constructive, difficult conversations
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset
• Respect for cooperative values and member ownership
• Quick learner, self-motivated and ability to work independently
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Troubleshoot, problem solve complex dairy/farm operations issues

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Animal Science, Agriculture, or related field or equivalent experience
• Working knowledge of dairy farm operations and milk quality standards
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build trust and credibility with producers
• Demonstrated ability to guide or support others in a work setting
• Ability to manage a field territory independently
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel regularly

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in dairy field services, quality assurance, or producer relations
• Familiarity with PMO regulations and third-party audit requirements
• Experience working in a cooperative or producer-owned organization
• Background in milk quality improvement or animal care programs
• Previous informal or formal leadership experience

Physical Requirements/Special Requirements:

• Regular on-farm visits in agricultural environments
• Ability to work in active farm environments and perform physically demanding tasks throughout the workday
• Regular walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and ladders, and entering/exiting milk tanks and farm equipment areas
• Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and standing for extended periods
• Ability to work in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow
• Ability to safely work around livestock, machinery, and agricultural equipment
• Ability to work flexible hours based on producer needs
• Valid driver's license required
• Maintain a Sampler’s License