Relationship Manager and Branch Manager

AgWest Farm Creditis a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System - the leading provider of credit to American agriculture.

AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of a Relationship Manager I, II, or III to join our Montana Lending and Insurance department in Bozeman, Montana. This full-time position reports to the SVP, Lending and contributes to providing high quality, profitable and constructive credit and related services to customers. This position will also be the Branch Manager, an addendum to the Relationship Manager role. The Branch Manager is responsible for being the face of the branch to customers and the community and manage the facility. The Branch Manager is accountable for ensuring a professional, positive, and engaging branch environment for customers and employees.

After an initial in-office training period, this position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one-time home office stipend. Employees are expected to continue working from their office location a minimum of 60% of the time.

Compensation Information

The base salary range for this position in Bozeman, Montana is:

Level I:
Typical starting range: $64,600 - $86,500
Full base salary range: $64,600 - $97,500
Annual performance-based incentive target is 12% of base salary.

Level II:
Typical starting range: $70,800 - $97,00
Full base salary range: $70,800 - $97,500
Annual performance-based incentive target is 15% of base salary.

Level III:
Typical starting range: $87,200 - $121,400
Full base salary range: $87,200 - $138,500
Annual performance-based incentive target is 20% of base salary.

Based on branch size, the Bozeman Branch Manager will receive $400 gross per month ($4,800 annually)

Job Requirements

• Market and sell products including loans and financially related services.
• Complete customer visits and document observations, which requires travel to and from the operation, visually inspecting the condition and value of loan collateral, and evaluating the customers' management practices and expected repayment.
• Make quality credit decisions to ensure customer service, a high-quality loan portfolio and loan administration; monitor loan performance and service assigned accounts.
• Prepare complex credit analysis and submit recommendations to supervisor or loan committee for action; approve loans within delegated authority.
• Gather financial information through interviews in person and by phone, read audited financial statements, legal opinions, tax records and other financials; comply with documentation expectations, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Service assigned accounts with the objective of providing efficient customer service and maximizing the return on troubled assets through proactive servicing, follow up, and timely coordination with other divisions and portfolio groups.
• Establish rapport with and develop and maintain confidence of customers and prospective customers.
• Assist in credit investigations on applicants including public record searches, credit bureau reports, employment and income verification and asset and liability verification.
• Participate in loan closings by ensuring the appropriate documentation is completed and understood by the customer.
• Ensure a high degree of credit administration by developing and implementing sales/servicing plans and coordinating actions with credit analysts and financial specialists.
• Communicate with other teams and portfolio groups and ensure timely transfers between divisions and portfolio teams to meet customer service needs and organization objectives. Collaborate with other departments and divisions by making referrals and cross-selling products in order to meet customer needs.
• Participate in assigned industry teams or industry task forces as needed. Advance industry knowledge and expertise of assigned industry teams. Assist teams with detailed industry studies and work to expand industry specific customer services and delivery systems. Assist with the organization of industry specific customer educational events.
• Represent and communicate the values, purpose and mission of the organization by joining and / or actively supporting appropriate agricultural organizations, civic groups or commodity groups and actively participating in sponsored events and programs.
• Perform all duties and maintain all standards in accordance with company policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Branch Management Leadership:
  • Provide day-to-day organization and direction of all branch staff to ensure exceptional customer service and customer engagement through general branch administration and onsite problem-solving.
  • Encourage a high level of branch collaboration, communication, and engagement to ensure active participation in front-office customer service.
  • Organize routine all-branch staff meetings for the purpose of effective, efficient delivery of AgWest products and services to customers and qualified applicants.
  • Provide feedback to offsite managers about their employees' demonstration of AgWest's Values and Leadership Competencies. Address and resolve potential employee conflicts, consulting with other supervisors and HR when needed.
  • Organize effective customer appreciation days and other customer marketing meetings.
  • Develop and implement public relations and advertising goals and objectives; coordinate and encourage branch staff involvement in appropriate community activities and events that support the organization's stewardship goals.
  • Prepare annual budget for public relations, advertising, and other branch priorities.
  • Coordinate with Regional Supervisor and Administrative Services to ensure branch facilities project a professional image of AgWest and meet the needs of branch staff and customers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business or ag-related field, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Progressively responsible and complex experience in credit and related areas
• Ability to market, sell, and effectively negotiate terms on behalf of the organization, both verbally and in writing
• Knowledge of agricultural practices and crop and livestock production
• Solid knowledge of credit regulations and procedures, including legal terminology
• Incumbents must meet the education/experience requirements of their primary job function and be able to effectively represent AgWest as the public/community face of the branch
  

Preferred Requirements

• Knowledge of Farm Credit policies and procedures, eligibility requirements and products
• Understanding of the local agricultural markets
  

Benefits Offered by AgWest

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation*, 15 sick, 11 holidays and 3 volunteer
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest!

*Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure.

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at: https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits

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Job level and starting annual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, certifications/licensure, internal equity, location, business needs and market demands. The listed compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the posting date. AgWest reserves the right to adjust compensation for all positions and modify or discontinue benefits programs at its sole discretion, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.