Location Manager

Overview

Location Manager Jobs in Foreston, MN at Gilman Cooperative Creamery

Position Summary

The Location Manager is responsible for the overall day-to-day operation, performance, safety, and customer service of the Mille Lacs Soil Service Association location in Foreston, Minnesota. This position provides leadership to employees, coordinates agricultural services, manages inventory and equipment, supports sales and agronomy activities, and maintains strong relationships with local farmers and customers.

The ideal candidate is an experienced agricultural professional with strong leadership, organizational, customer service, and equipment management skills, who understands the seasonal demands of the agricultural industry.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the Foreston location.
• Coordinate fertilizer, crop protection, seed, and other agricultural product activities.
• Ensure products are received, stored, blended, loaded, and delivered accurately.
• Coordinate custom application activities and field service operations.
• Monitor daily workloads and prioritize customer orders and application schedules.
• Coordinate equipment, trucks, sprayers, spreaders, and other machinery needed for operations.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and efficient facility.
• Ensure equipment and facilities are properly maintained and operational.
• Coordinate deliveries, product transfers, and customer orders.
• Assist with seasonal planning and staffing.

Employee Leadership

• Supervise, train, schedule, and support location employees.
• Assign daily duties and responsibilities based on workload and employee skills.
• Provide training on equipment operation, product handling, safety, and company procedures.
• Monitor employee performance and provide coaching when needed.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and professionalism.
• Ensure employees follow company policies and safety procedures.
• Assist management with hiring and onboarding employees as needed.
• Coordinate seasonal employees and temporary staffing during peak agricultural periods.

Customer Service & Sales

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local farmers and agricultural customers.
• Provide professional and timely customer service.
• Respond to customer questions, concerns, and complaints.
• Assist customers with product and service needs.
• Work with agronomists and sales staff to develop solutions for customers.
• Support sales of fertilizer, seed, crop protection products, and customer application services.
• Help identify new business opportunities and retain existing customers.
• Maintain a strong understanding of customers’ seasonal needs and expectations.

Agronomy and Field Services

• Coordinate field spraying and fertilizer application schedules.
• Work with agronomists and applicators to ensure applications are completed correctly and on time.
• Monitor field conditions, weather, and customer needs when scheduling applications.
• Ensure proper products and application rates are used.
• Assist with soil sampling, crop scouting, and other agronomic services as needed.
• Help troubleshoot customer concerns involving crop inputs and application services.
• Ensure accurate documentation of applications and customer services.

Inventory and Product Management

• Monitor inventory levels of fertilizer, seed, chemicals, and other agricultural products.
• Coordinate product ordering and receiving.
• Maintain accurate inventory records.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and report issues to management.
• Ensure products are stored safely and according to applicable requirements.
• Monitor product usage and minimize waste.
• Coordinate seasonal inventory planning to ensure adequate product availability.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Make workplace safety a top priority.
• Ensure employees properly use PPE and follow safety procedures.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, loading, mixing, transportation, and application of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers.
• Follow all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensure pesticide and fertilizer activities are performed according to product labels and applicable requirements.
• Maintain required licenses and certifications.
• Ensure safety inspections and required records are completed.
• Report accidents, injuries, spills, equipment damage, and other incidents promptly.
• Maintain a safe environment for employees, customers, and the community.

Equipment and Facility Management

• Oversee the maintenance and condition of location equipment and vehicles.
• Schedule repairs and preventative maintenance.
• Inspect equipment for safe operation.
• Monitor fuel, parts, and maintenance needs.
• Coordinate equipment preparation before planting and spraying seasons.
• Ensure equipment is properly cleaned and stored after use.
• Report major equipment or facility issues to ownership/management.

Financial and Administrative Responsibilities

• Monitor location expenses and operating costs.
• Assist with annual budgeting and operational planning.
• Review sales, inventory, application, and operational planning.
• Help ensure customer orders and transactions are accurately documented.
• Monitor accounts and communicate customer issues to the appropriate office personnel.
• Work toward location sites, profitability, efficiency, and customer service goals.
• Maintain accurate operational records and paperwork.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate or Bachelor’s in agriculture, agronomy, business, or a related field preferred.
• Previous agricultural, agronomy, fertilizer, chemical, custom application, or cooperative experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of agricultural products, equipment, and farming practices.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required pesticide applicator licenses and certifications.
• Strong computer, organizational, and recordkeeping skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Strong problem solving and decision making skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to understand agricultural equipment.
• Ability to lead employees in a fast paced, seasonal environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry agricultural products and equipment as required.
• Ability to climb into and out of trucks, tractors, sprayers, loaders, and other equipment.
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, kneel, reach, and work around equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to safely work around fertilizer, agricultural chemicals, dust, and machinery.
• Ability to work extended hours during peak agricultural seasons.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position with a schedule that varies according to seasonal agricultural demands. During planting, spraying, and harvest seasons, extended hours, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and overtime may be required.

Key Performance Areas

The Location Manager will be evaluated on,

• Safety performance.
• Customer satisfaction and retention.
• Location profitability.
• Sales and business growth.
• Employee performance and retention.
• Inventory accuracy and management.
• Equipment and facility condition.
• Timely completion of customer applications and services.
• Regulatory compliance.
• Operational efficiency.
• Teamwork and communication.

Key Skills for Success

• Leadership.
• Agriculture and agronomy knowledge.
• Customer service.
• Employee management.
• Sales and business development.
• Equipment operation and maintenance.
• Organization and time management.
• Problem solving.
• Safety awareness.
• Communication.
• Decision making.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Overall Objective

The Location Manager is responsible for ensuring that the Foreston location operates safely, efficiently, profitably, and with excellent customer service. The manager will lead employees, coordinate agricultural products and services, support customers and sales efforts, maintain equipment and facilities, and help Mille Lacs Soil Service Association remain a trusted agricultural partner for farmers throughout the local area.

Note: This is a professionally constructed job description based on the typical responsibilities of a Location Manager in an agricultural fertilizer/agronomy operation. It is not represented as the official Mille Lacs Soil Service Association employment posting.

Pay: $30,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Title: Location Manager

Company: Gilman Cooperative Creamery

Location: Foreston, MN

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