“Five Star is a great company with strong teamwork and a focus on safety. I love being out on my own, planning my day, and taking care of customers.”
Join our team at Five Star Cooperative and be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organization. We value excellence, teamwork, and innovation, offering a supportive workplace where you can grow personally and professionally. Dedicated to serving local communities, farmers, and customers, we believe in making a positive impact. If you’re looking for a fulfilling career where your talents thrive while strengthening agriculture and rural communities, Five Star is the place for you.
Five Star is committed to team member wellbeing and long-term success. We offer competitive pay, training for advancement, and a strong package of benefits for full-time employees.
At Five Star Cooperative, team member wellbeing is more than a priority—it’s part of our culture. We take a comprehensive approach that supports both body and mind through tools like annual health screenings and team health challenges.
Our Wellness Committee ensures employees have a voice in shaping these initiatives, while resources like Wellness updates, free support programs, and a stronger emphasis on workplace safety provide ongoing support. By investing in these efforts, we’re building a healthier, more engaged, and resilient team.
We recognize the importance of family and the critical bonding time that comes with welcoming a new child. That’s why we offer paid parental leave for both new mothers (up to 8 weeks) and fathers (up to 3 weeks), including those growing their families through adoption. We understand that the early days with a child are essential, and we are proud to support our team members during this special time.
Full-time, part-time, seasonal positions, Rising Star Program and Internships are available. Five Star Cooperative prioritizes internal career growth and development into management roles, while occasionally offering select opportunities for external candidates to join our team.
The Five Star Cooperative Internship Program gives students the chance to gain hands-on experience while working in a supportive, team-focused culture.
Interns connect with industry professionals, learn directly from experienced mentors, and complete a customized summer project designed to build valuable skills.
With opportunities in agronomy, operations, feed, grain, accounting, IT, human resources, retail management, and marketing, students gain practical expertise in their chosen field. Interns also have the chance to earn up to $2,500 in scholarships—and some may receive job offers following their internship.
Whether it’s conducting crop investigations, managing logistics, analyzing market trends, or working in feed production, Five Star interns play a meaningful role in the cooperative while preparing for future careers.
Our agronomy team helps farmers get the most from every acre through soil management, crop nutrition, pest control, and precision farming. As an intern, you’ll learn directly from experienced agronomists while working on real farm challenges.
The operations team keeps our cooperative running smoothly every day, from logistics and inventory to safety and customer service. Interns gain a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a co-op work while building valuable business and problem-solving skills.
Our feed department delivers top-quality, nutritionally balanced feeds that support livestock health and performance. As an intern, you’ll gain experience in both production and customer-facing work—right inside our modern feed mill that uses the latest technology and fosters a collaborative atmosphere.
The grain team plays a vital role in handling, storing, and marketing grain for local farmers. With a focus on sustainability and service, interns learn how grain moves from field to market while building skills in analysis and customer relationships.
Beyond agronomy, feed, grain, and operations, we also offer opportunities in other areas that keep our cooperative strong. These roles allow students to gain valuable skills in business and customer support, including:
The Rising Star Apprentice Program at Five Star Cooperative is designed to cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders. This hands-on program gives participants valuable experience across multiple areas of our operations, along with mentorship, training, and exposure to real-world scenarios. Apprentices gain the tools, skills, and confidence needed to build a successful career in agriculture.
The Rising Star Program was created to encourage employment with Five Star directly following high school graduation. Five Star is one of the top 100 Ag Retail Cooperatives in the nation, with multiple locations across Northeast and North Central Iowa.
This is a 1-year rotational program where Rising Stars spend time working in several departments to gain a broad view of cooperative operations, including:
After completing the program, Rising Stars are evaluated and may be offered a permanent full-time position at Five Star Cooperative, based on their interests and the cooperative’s needs.
Through our scholarship programs, we support both students from Class A Member families and our own team members as they pursue further education.
The Five Star Cooperative Team Member Scholarship Program provides financial assistance for high school graduates employed by Five Star as they continue their education.
Five Star awards $500 scholarships to graduating seniors who plan to study an agriculture-related field in college. Eligible students must be the son or daughter of a Class A Member of Five Star Cooperative.
Each year, Five Star focuses on three strategic pillars that drive growth and support our mission. These pillars guide how we serve our customers, support our team, and strengthen our communities:
Safe practices, efficient operations, and fiscal responsibility ensure we keep supporting farmers and team members for the long term.
We value being an easy place to do business through our Operation Easy efforts, tailoring solutions to member needs, and empowering the success of their operations.
By working as One Team, One Cooperative, we achieve operational excellence. From streamlining processes to adopting new technology like automated sites and driver apps, efficiency means better service for customers and less friction for employees.
By focusing on profitable business growth, providing world class service, and growing as individuals, we will continue to place Five Star on track for long-term success.
At Five Star Cooperative, our Culture of Caring is at the heart of who we are. We believe that when we care for our team—physically, mentally, emotionally, and professionally—exceptional customer service naturally follows.
That’s why we invest in health and wellness initiatives, professional development, and a supportive work environment. By caring for each other, we build a stronger cooperative that benefits our team members, our customers, and the communities we serve.
At Five Star Cooperative, giving back is part of who we are. Through our Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program and other opportunities, our team actively supports the communities we serve. From helping at local events to participating in service projects, we take pride in making a difference together.
We also sponsor community activities and donate to meaningful causes, reinforcing our commitment to the people and places that support us. By investing our time and resources, we help build stronger, more connected communities—because when our communities thrive, so do we.
“Five Star is a great company with strong teamwork and a focus on safety. I love being out on my own, planning my day, and taking care of customers.”
“Five Star is a great place to work. I like being around farmers and helping keep things moving—it’s rewarding work with good people.”
Looking to join Five Star Cooperative? We’ve gathered answers to the most common questions applicants ask—from how to apply and what to expect in the hiring process, to our culture, career paths, and internship opportunities.
Visit our Careers page, browse current openings, and click “Apply” on the position that interests you. You’ll be guided through the online application process.
Our hiring team reviews all applications. If your qualifications match, we’ll contact you to schedule an interview (usually in-person, occasionally via Teams). We may reach out by phone, text, or email—but never for personal information before onboarding.
A resume isn’t required, but it helps us learn more about your experience. Cover letters are optional but encouraged if you’d like to share more about your background or interest in the role.
Yes! If multiple roles fit your skills, feel free to apply. Even if not selected for one role, you may be considered for another.
Applications are kept on file and reviewed for at least one year.
It varies by position, but we aim to complete the process within 2–4 weeks of your application.
Interviews may include a phone screen and one or more in-person interviews. Typically, you’ll meet with the location manager, department manager, and HR.
Yes. We contact all applicants once a decision has been made.
No, we do not currently offer remote work. We value in-person service and teamwork, which helps us build strong relationships with customers and within our team.
We emphasize our Culture of Caring, fostering a supportive, family-first environment. We work hard, but we also understand the importance of work/life balance.
We operate 19 locations across Northeast and North Central Iowa, employing about 200 regular team members, plus seasonal staff.
Yes! We offer summer internships and often accommodate spring and fall as well. Most are in agronomy, feed, grain, and operations, but we’ve also had internships in marketing, HR, accounting, and IT. If you’re interested in an area not currently posted, reach out!
Most positions do not require a degree. We also offer the Rising Star Program, designed for recent high school graduates. This program rotates team members through multiple departments, provides full-time pay and benefits, and may lead to a permanent role.
Standard business hours vary by location and department typically ranging from 7AM-4PM. During our peak spring and fall seasons, hours vary significantly including overtime and weekends. Specific hours details are set by the department.
With 19 locations across Northeast and North Central Iowa, Five Star Cooperative is rooted in the communities we serve. Our team spans a variety of departments—ranging from agronomy and grain to operations, sales, and support services—offering diverse career paths for people with many different skills and interests.
Human Resources Director
1949 N Linn Ave.
New Hampton, IA 50659
641-394-6142
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