Manager Organic Services
About MCIA
Minnesota Crop Improvement Association is dedicated to improving the productivity, profitability, and competitive edge of agricultural producers, processors, and distributors of agricultural products. Based in the Midwest, MCIA not only provides organic certification services, but is also Minnesota’s sole official seed certification agency, which operates independently from the organic certification department. MCIA also operates the University of Minnesota’s Foundation Seed Program and runs a seed testing laboratory.
Position Summary
Minnesota Crop Improvement Association is a USDA National Organic Program-accredited certification agency. The Organic Services department has experienced growth in recent years. The Organic Services Manager is responsible for the development and oversight of MCIA’s certification program, working with our handlers and producers to provide quality service. The manager works to create and foster alignment in strategic planning, accreditation management, and policy oversight of the certification program. This position provides oversight and direction to certification staff to ensure creation and implementation of certification policies and procedures, continuous improvement, and ability to develop and implement new systems as required by growth and changes in the industry. This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
This is a full-time, on-site position with the possibility of flexible scheduling. MCIA offers a full suite of benefits including medical, dental, and life insurance, generous paid time off and employer matching contribution to the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Oversee, plan, and manage all four scopes of the MCIA Organic Services, and Organic Plus Trust Grass Fed Program. Ensure compliance with USDA NOP regulations, directives, and policies.
- Ensure positive accreditation results by overseeing the preparation and submission of accreditation documents required by NOP.
- Oversee implementation of standards, including changes to regulations, standard operating procedures, work instructions, or guidance documents.
- Contribute to and oversee organic program improvement through form modifications, certification process streamlining, and other program enhancements.
- Work with database and technology resources to ensure operational quality and efficiency.
- Maintain certification related contracts and agreements with other agencies such as but not limited to ACA, IOIA, OMRI, PCO, OTA. Serve as main point of contact for certification-related legal issues.
- Represent MCIA or delegate staff at industry events, professional associations, and NOP hosted trainings.
- Recommend hiring and promoting as well as disciplinary actions of direct reports.
- Provide oversight and direction to staff, ensure creation and implementation of certification policies and procedures in a timely manner, ensure accurate, efficient, and courteous customer service by all staff.
- Mentor, develop, and support remote and in-person staff through training and collaboration. Delegate duties, provide clear expectations and constructive feedback. Conduct annual evaluation of Organic staff.
- Direct staff to ensure timely inspections, evaluations, and final certification decisions.
- Work with senior management in developing and executing the annual departmental budget and creating short- and long-range growth strategies.
- Contribute to the Minnesota Seed Grower, MCIA’s quarterly newsletter, and other MCIA publications.
- Perform other duties including certification and administrative staff work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- B.S. in agriculture, business, or related field.
- Completion of formal organic inspector training, such as IOIA courses.
- Three years of experience in organic certification.
- Demonstrated management and supervisory experience.
- Valid Driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
- M.S. in agriculture, business, or related field.
- Five years or more experience in organic inspection and certification.
- Five years or more experience in preparing budgets.
- Five years or more demonstrated management experience.
Language Ability
Excellent ability to clearly and effectively communicate at all levels. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations, to customers, clients, board members, staff, and other employees.
Math Ability
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percents.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Skills/Physical Demands
- Accurate, efficient, and detail oriented.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Strong computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and FileMaker.
- Ability to handle confidential information with great sensitivity, good reasoning abilities, and sound judgement.
- Ability to work with limited supervision, highly self-motivated.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks on a regular basis.
- Ability to travel, including some overnight travel. Must possess a valid driver’s license.
- Promote and ensure excellence in customer service.
- Promote good work ethics, positive attitude, and teamwork environment.
- Excellent organizational skills managing multiple priorities and performing written deadlines.
- Commitment to collaboration and integrity.
Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest and résumé by Friday, September 6, 2024, to fawad.shah@mncia.org.
Minnesota Crop Improvement Association is an EEO Employer.
Organic Contract Inspectors
MCIA’s Organic Services department is always interested in working with organic contract inspectors. MCIA certifies organic operations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. To be considered, please send a letter of interest and your resume to: employment@mncia.org.
Minnesota Crop Improvement Association is an EEO Employer.