What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Hauler Relations Specialist position at Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.?
Provide farmer-owners a safe, reliable system to transport farm milk to markets in a cost-effective manner, recognizing the importance of a viable hauler base and superior customer service. Skillfully manage a network of third-party haulers. Oversee all aspects of hauler safety and compliance. Work independently and demonstrate full understanding of hauler relations activities and impact to other functional areas; handle and resolve issues or situations of a diverse, difficult and/or complex nature relying on experience, the analysis of multiple sources of information, best practices, and sound judgment. Act as a resource for colleagues in other functional areas.
Location: this position has flexibility to be based at the DFA office in Corona, CA or Salida, CA.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain solid relationships with contract milk haulers; negotiate rates, evaluate haulers, liaise between haulers, customers, sales and marketing, dispatch and membership
- Establish and maintain strong organizational structure for contract, negotiation and performance tracking.
- Serve as the primary contact for haulers in the assigned geographic area.
- Investigate issues that arise due to hauler’s attention to weight variances, paperwork, processes or SOP’s in assigned area; develop improvement plans with haulers that need assistance
- Provide financial analysis and hauling and mapping analysis for decision making, strategy development, and negotiating tactics with the objective of providing professional and reliable transportation services in a cost-efficient manner
- Embrace advanced technologies and demonstrate leadership in managing electronic manifest, route optimization and all other pertinent tools in order to gain efficiency and cost savings.
- As opportunities arise, look for strategic hauler realignments or replacements for better milk movement optimization
- Develop monthly Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to drive improvements in areas such as on-time delivery, turn times, ticket accuracy, hauler scorecards, DOT and safety compliance and any other pertinent items
- Develop innovative strategies around hauling options in declining milksheds
- Utilize relationships with federal and state regulatory agencies to drive initiatives that improve hauling conditions and efficiencies
- Coordinate activities and strategies with dispatch and marketing that will strengthen the necessary infrastructure in place to move milk efficiently to our customer base
- Attend and participate in various Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and industry meetings, presenting and conveying DFA values and promoting a positive DFA and industry image
- Call on customers and farmer-owners in a professional manner to resolve delivery or other service issues
- Create hauler communications and other training materials as needed
- The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee; but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain, agriculture or related field
- 5 – 7 years of related experience in hauling/field/dairy
- Experience with spreadsheet development and analysis required
- Experience using SAP preferred
- Experience with Power BI preferred
- Experience with dairy.com, Ever.ag or other mobile applications preferred
- Certification and/or License - Valid driver’s license with no significant restrictions or violations; other certifications may be required during the course of employment
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Must be tech savvy, have advanced Excel capabilities and be ready to lead using new technologies
- Able to interact effectively with a wide range of people in business and social settings
- Excellent skills in problem-solving and conflict resolution
- Strong skills in communication (verbal, written, and inter-personal), including public speaking
- Able to manage and organize multiple tasks
- Able to make sound business decisions
- Knowledge and understanding of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance
- Skills in proficient use of desktop computers and MS Office software applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- Able to lead others and work in a group setting
- Must be able to read, write, and speak English
An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans