The Position: Farmer Relations Advisor
About the Teff Company: We are a farm-to-fork food manufacturer specializing in the growing and processing of teff, an ancient grain best known as the primary ingredient of injera, the staple in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. Our primary customer base includes store owners and restauranteurs supplying injera or teff for purposes of making injera, and we are continuing to explore different applications for this tasty, nutritious, and versatile ancient grain. You’ll be joining a family-owned company working to deliver high quality teff and teff-based products to consumers and manufacturers in the United States.
Position Summary: The Farmer Relations Advisor is a full-time position and member of the Agriculture (Ag.) team. This role is primarily responsible for the maintenance of relationships across The Teff Company’s farmer network and with a goal to maximize crop quality and sustainability practices.
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
Farmer Relations and Harvest Inventory
- Conducts farm visits with Farmer Relations Manager or independently to facilitate supervision of crop progress and provide advice
- Conducts outreach for prospective farmers and networking efforts; develops and maintains content creation for Ag. outreach materials (i.e., Farmer Newsletter)
- Maintains current farmer relationships
- Coordinates harvest timing and volume with farmers, under the direction of the Farmer Relations Manager and in coordination with the Logistics Coordinator
Data Collection and Quality Assurance
- Works with the Ag. Manager in the development and implementation of a field data collection protocol
- Expand and identify a list of field factors for data collection
- Organize and prepare field data collection and documentation
- Identify and collect field specimens
- Assists with development of harvest evaluation program
- Collaborates with Quality Assurance on identifying Ag. related quality parameters
- Provide crop quality feedback to farmers as appropriate
Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree with agricultural focus preferred
- Technically proficient and familiar with analytical spreadsheet applications
- 2-4 years’ experience in food or agriculture industry
- Self-motivated, curious, and comfortable with ambiguity typical of a small, growing company
- Effective communicator, both verbally and written
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Creative problem solving and analytical skills
- Ability to work independently or collaboratively to complete projects and initiatives
- Willing and able to adapt and flex to frequently changing internal and external environments
Reports to: Farmer Relations Manager
Job Location: Boise, ID
Position Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Required to Relocate: Yes
Required to Travel: Yes
