July at AGRI-SEARCH: Planning for a Work-Life Balance

Sometimes life goes crazy around us. We have more work to do than hours to do it in. We need to travel six hours to attend a friend’s wedding or family event. Or it’s our wedding anniversary, the kids are sick, and friends are planning an event that we don’t want to miss. There is food to cook, a yard to mow, regular household maintenance and cleaning to perform…what does one do?

I have utilized various time management and planning techniques over the years. Some worked wonderfully; some weren’t as effective. However, the problem often wasn’t the tool. It was me. Effectively achieving balance in our lives requires good planning and discipline in executing that plan. Patience becomes a treasured virtue. We want it all done now, but that is impossible. Inactivity leads to added stress. Instead, we must write down our priorities, create a plan on how we want to attack them, and then diligently use focused time to work to carry out our plan.

Whether planning for big work or home projects, getting things “done” before vacation, or just sorting through the key priorities on our plate, we have to remember that we “eat an elephant one bite at a time.” Make a list of your many open projects, prioritize them, and lay out project plans for each one. Then, get to work. Pick two or three “big rock” projects every day you want to work on, and you will see great progress in moving your life forward.

As long as we live, most of us will never perfect the work-life balance challenge. However, making it a priority to keep your life in balance is a worthwhile goal. Take a look at "The Illusive Work-Life Balance" article elsewhere in this newsletter for some wisdom in helping you find that balance.

4120 - VP of Marketing, United States

One of the leading Agribusiness Financial Services companies is seeking to hire a VP of Marketing to serve on its leadership team. This is an exceptional opportunity to become a part of an industry that serves the local farmer on a national scale. With its local office footprint model, the firm is growing at a controlled rate of 20%. The ideal candidate will lead a complete marketing program that will support the continual expansion on a geographical basis. You will serve 25 local offices in 18 states. You will need to be a self-motivated and exceptionally driven marketing professional. Having proven marketing analytics and mining skills will be required. Knowledge of agribusiness will be very beneficial to understanding your customer base.

4121 - Sales Executive, Remote

A leading commodity software company is seeking a Sales Executive to join their growing team. The company wakes up every day thinking about how to best serve their customers and provide solutions in the grain and processing industries. They truly believe in helping their customers win and improving processes at the location level. This is a remote, home office-based position that will require up to 60% travel. Some of that will include industry events and conferences. While offering industry leading benefits, the role's compensation is very competitive with uncapped incentive potential.

5810 - Vice President of Grain Supply, South Central Illinois

Highly successful family and employee-owned Illinois grain processing company is seeking a Vice President of Grain Supply to replace their retiring VP. With over 140 years in the industry, this multi-location company has invested steadily in their facilities and people and is set for continued growth and success.

3926 - Location Manager, Central Illinois

A progressive and fast paced agronomy retail company is seeking a talented Location Manager for a key facility and a satellite branch. Due to increased sales, the owner is stepping away from location management and will now focus on managing the overall business, which consists of multiple facilities. As Location Manager, you will oversee a full-service agronomy plant that offers anhydrous ammonia, chemistry, custom application, fertilizer, precision services, and seed. All dispatch and all 15 employees are based out of the main location. Total sales at these locations total $17.0M. Your responsibilities will include daily management and oversight of equipment, facilities, sales, and staff. During the busy season, you will oversee dispatch using AgVance Dispatch and Sky software. You will be the point person and serve an important role facing the customer. You may occasionally operate equipment, will need a Class A CDL, and should be able to operate large heavy trucks, tractors, and other farm related equipment. You must lead by example and be able to solve problems and utilize your critical thinking skills. A farm background and experience in a fertilizer plant are vital to your success. The company prefers you to have a minimum of two years in an agronomy retail plant along with sales experience. Strong business skills are helpful. The company has a family feel with a team focused approach.

6207 - International Grain & Feed Ingredient Trader

An international agriculture trading company is seeking a Trader for their Southeastern US-based business. This is a great opportunity for someone with 3 - 7 years or more of trading grains and feeds ingredient exposure or an experienced trader. Experience in trading Corn Gluten Mean, Baker Meal, DDGS, and other protein products will be valuable. You will be mentored by a high-performing international trader, with the opportunity to establish your own desk and book of business. The primary markets for trading will be Asia and South America. There could be a position open for both regions of the country. Candidates must have an entrepreneurial spirit and be eager to learn and grow. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business or a related field. Candidates who are bilingual will have a huge advantage. You must have an agriculture trading background to be considered for this position. The company's corporate office is in a suburb of one of the Southeast's most attractive cities.

4116 - Ag Processing Company CFO – Wisconsin

Successful and expanding agricultural processing company is seeking a top-notch CFO to strengthen and bring additional talents and structure to their leadership team. This individual will have a strong accounting and finance background and will assist and challenge the board and CEO as they continue to explore and carry out key growth initiatives.

4115 - Agricultural & Farm Accounting Tax Partner, United States

A leading Financial Services firm specializing in the Agribusiness Industry is seeking a full-time Agricultural & Farm Accounting Tax Partner. In this role, you will Manage and drive the success of multiple engagements on a national scale. Your client base will range from mid-level size companies to companies with over one billion in sales. A creative entrepreneurial spirit will be a key characteristic of a successful candidate. The qualified candidate will have excellent management and supervisory skills and exhibit a high level of analytical and organizational capabilities. As a key position within the firm, you will lead the development and execution of the firm’s growth strategies in addition to promoting the firm’s brand and abilities. The firm is equipped to stand behind you with a complete resource support team specializing in legal, regulator, human relations, animal welfare, and other financial-related areas. This position requires at least eight years of financial management experience, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, experience reporting to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, or Finance. A master’s degree and a background in Agribusiness are preferred.

5805 - Regional Operations Manager, Central Illinois

Successful central Illinois grain company is seeking a Regional Grain Operations Manager to oversee multiple elevator locations including a hub facility that is growing with the industry. The main facility loads shuttles and has a very favorable loading time agreement. This individual will spend the majority of their time at a key rail loading facility while also overseeing the activities at three other locations. The successful candidate will be responsible for supervising 7 people on a daily basis (~14 overall). This will include overseeing the elevator handling both corn and beans; drying, blending, and loading out grain; and keeping the facilities well-maintained, operational, clean, and safe. This person must thrive as a team leader who can motivate from the ground up and enjoy the responsibility of building unity among a dedicated team.

5811 - Grain Operations Superintendent – Northwestern Illinois

Successful Illinois grain company seeks a team-oriented Outside Grain Operations Superintendent who will oversee all outside operations at a busy truck facility with nearly five million bushels of storage. You will work on a variety of projects regarding grain quality and movement, maintenance and repairs, and anything dealing with grain drying, storage and handling.

3929 - Maintenance Manager, Central Indiana

Indiana seed company is seeking a Maintenance Manager to oversee all farm machinery and seed production equipment. This role is based at the production plant and is not an in the field role. You will work closely with dealership representatives and parts vendors to maintain parts inventory. Equipment records and scheduling of maintenance and repairs will be entered into the computer maintenance manager system. You will perform mechanical work on a variety of tractors, harvesters, trucks, seed cleaners, and packaging machines. Someone who enjoys wrench turning and farm related equipment will be a perfect for this opportunity. The job also has a business facet. You will work closely with your supervisor to develop a capital budget and a parts and maintenance budget. Your input will be required when it comes to purchases and plant projects. Skills needed for this career opportunity are good verbal and computer skills as you will be communicating with fellow employees and vendors. Mechanical skills that are desired are electrical and hydraulic. Having a CDL and being able to operate a lift truck will help to be selected for this role.

6246 - Education and Market Research Manager, Chicago

Midwest-based agriculture risk management company is seeking a new associate for their Education and Market Research Team. This position is ideal for a motivated, team-oriented person with excellent problem-solving and communication skills. The primary responsibilities will include delivering educational content to groups around the country in a live format as well as research projects.

5812 - Grain Merchant – Kansas City

Thriving agricultural commodity company is seeking a Grain Merchant to join their growing team for a cross-country position that trades in the mid-Atlantic region (more or less from Pennsylvania down to Georgia / northern Florida). One to five years of grain merchandising / trading experience is required, preferably in some part the mid-Atlantic territory.

In this post-pandemic world, the norms of society can make it feel like the workforce has no loyalty anymore. Well, the statistics back it up. The average tenured employee is now about four years in the US. That means that you will lose 25% of your workforce each year. One HR company estimates that it costs a company six to nine months of an employee’s salary to replace them. That is staggering. Candidates know that the way to increase pay is to change jobs every few years.

The pandemic rapidly accelerated the ability to work remotely or hybrid. We speak with candidates every day that all want different things. Not everyone enjoys working from home every day, however some do. Other candidates thrive in an office setting but seek some level of flexibility for their personal lives. There is one thing that is constant across all age groups: work-life balance.

Although it caused so much suffering and disruption, there were many positives that came from the pandemic. It used to be expected to “tough it out,” when you were sick. Now it seems more socially acceptable to stay home and at stay plugged in enough that you are not behind when you return to work. Many people re-evaluated their priorities in life. Most people now value time as the most precious commodity in their lives. A recent study found that 65% of people are “content” with their career, but only 20% of people are truly passionate about their jobs. That means that 80% of your team is simply working to provide for themselves, their family, or their other passions. Employers must keep this in mind. Long gone are the days of people fighting over a few jobs and doing everything they can to keep that job. Today, if you have a smartphone, laptop, and an internet connection your opportunities are endless.

So, how does an employer combat this? Work-life balance is the answer, however that can mean many things: flexibility, benefits, fulfillment, boundaries, appreciation, and efficiency. Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote options, compressed workweeks (four 10’s), or flexible hours can help employees better manage their personal and professional lives. Fulfillment is also a key piece of the retention puzzle. Employees are much more likely to give up their precious time and put in more effort if they feel they are making a difference. This means that managers must learn each employee’s “appreciation language.” It may be buying gifts or bonuses, more vacation time, spending more one-on-one time with the employee, or even just public recognition within the team. A great paid time off plan is vital. Many companies are switching to an “unlimited PTO plan,” and find that employees actually end up taking less vacation.

Our workforce is consistently demanding more from their employers. If you have a high performer, pay them! If you have a top salesperson that needs more flexibility, give it to them! Given the cost to your organization, what will you do? If you do not provide it, they will find another employer that will.

" As we pass the mid-year point, hours of daylight are long, outdoor activities and vacations are abundant, yet the demands at the office do not wane. The subject of providing an environment for work-life balance often resurfaces during the summer, but the topic is one that should be addressed on an ongoing basis within an organization.

Numerous management consulting companies have performed exhaustive research in this area and have found that over 40% of employees claim they do not have suitable work / life balance, and more than one in four dissatisfied employees plan to leave their employer within the next two years.

Do you have the grit to not give up and stay true to the course, no matter how difficult it may be? Are you competitive and possess a strong sales mentality where every “no” is just one step closer to a “yes”?

If so, and you have a passion for connecting with and helping people, plus a strong agricultural industry background in agronomy, grain, or other areas, please contact Dave Allen. We would enjoy having a discussion with you about how a recruiting career may be a great fit for you.

Founded in 1995, AGRI-SEARCH is a professional recruiting firm providing clients with customized recruiting solutions in various niches within the agricultural industry. Our success results from our industry focus, our specialized approach to recruiting, and our staff's lifelong roots in, dedication to, and vast understanding and knowledge of the agricultural industry.

At AGRI-SEARCH, our mission states that we “are committed to serving the agricultural industry with integrity, passion and excellence by assisting our candidates to reach their career goals and helping our client companies build successful teams.”