Description
AGRI-SEARCH is partnering with a respected, farmer-owned cooperative in northeastern Illinois to identify a General Manager to lead business operations, drive strategic growth, and strengthen a culture
rooted in service, trust, and performance.
This financially strong cooperative has built its reputation for over 100 years among its loyal customer base through integrity, innovation, and commitment to member success. With its grain and agronomy operations,
the organization continues to invest in people, technology, and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of its customers and communities.
The General Manager will guide the team and work closely with the board of directors to ensure profitability, operational excellence, and alignment with the cooperative’s mission and long-term goals.
Key Responsibilities
• Anticipate market trends, merchandise grain, and position the cooperative for sustainable success.
• Evaluate financial performance and operational efficiency while maintaining transparent communication with the board.
• Communicate and strengthen relationships with employees, customers, and community stakeholders.
• Build a team of solid leaders and skilled workers who welcome challenges, adapt well to change, and desire to work together to build the business in a competitive market.
• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight across all locations and business units.
• Partner with the board to establish and execute a clear vision for growth, profitability, and customer value.
• Establish a culture of integrity, safety, and accountability through strong leadership, planning and organization, and good decision making.
• Mentor location and department managers, ensuring alignment and collaboration across teams.
The ideal GM candidate will be a servant-minded, values-driven ag professional who leads by example and inspires trust and performance. Ag industry leadership and grain merchandising / logistics experience are key along with a basic understanding of agronomy.
The successful candidate will combine business acumen with authenticity, balancing strategic vision and hands-on leadership. Strong communication skills, humility, and consistency will be essential to promoting teamwork and long-term relationships across the organization where team members wear multiple hats.
The right individual will bring proven agribusiness or cooperative management leadership experience, with a strong understanding of grain as well as a basic understanding of agronomy operations.
They will have solid financial and operational management skills, including budgeting and P&L oversight, and a history of building high-performing teams. Experience working with or reporting to a board of directors is essential, as is a deep appreciation for agriculture, community, and customer service.
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and will include a solid benefits package and performance-based bonus.
This is a rare opportunity for a results-oriented, people-focused leader to guide a respected agricultural cooperative to its next level. Are you an ag professional who is motivated to lead and values integrity, teamwork, and excellence? Have you successfully managed employees, finances, and merchandising, and are you ready to use your leadership skills to make a strong impact on a company? If so, contact Dave Allen or Chelbi Alt today.