Agriculture Sales Professional

Return•Ames, IA

1d•$60,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Return is seeking a relationship-driven sales professional with experience in agriculture, lawn and garden, horticulture, soil media, compost, and/or fertilizer. The role focuses on building sales leads and customer relationships, introducing customers to suitable products, growing territory revenue, and supporting sales planning and operations. The position contributes to Return’s mission of providing alternatives to synthetic growing products and supporting soil regeneration. This is a hybrid role based in or near Ames or Mason City, Iowa. The successful candidate will work within the North and Central Iowa territory, travel regionally across Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, attend periodic trade shows, and work on-site as needed. The Sales Professional may work in outdoor conditions, including extreme heat and cold, and may occasionally encounter wet or humid conditions, loud environments, fumes or airborne particles, potentially toxic chemicals, and vibration.

Requirements

At least three years of sales experience in lawn and garden, horticulture, soil media, compost, and/or fertilizer.
Strong knowledge of the sales cycle, from prospecting through closing.
Proficiency with Salesforce or another CRM.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, or similar software.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Valid driver’s license.
Good IT and diagnostic skills.
Excellent interpersonal, customer service, sales, and negotiation skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to function in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
Willingness to uphold company values and support efforts to leave the planet better than it was found.
Ability to proactively communicate, take personal responsibility and initiative, and bring a curious mindset.
Ability to collaborate, encourage team members, foster growth, and improve procedures.
Must be based in or near Ames or Mason City, Iowa, and be able to travel within the territory and work on-site as needed.
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Sales, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Five years of sales experience in lawn and garden, horticulture, soil media, compost, and/or fertilizer is preferred.
Experience as a Sales Agronomist is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain a productive, growing sales lead network.
Communicate with customers and leads.
Manage customer relationships through ongoing communication.
Communicate new products to prospects and customers.
Maintain sales reports, calls, orders, sales, lost business, and customer or vendor relationship issues.
Provide periodic territory sales forecasts.
Assist the Sales Manager with organizational tasks, account strategies, territory planning, and administrative responsibilities.
Develop and increase sales revenue to meet targets.
Participate in sales orientation and sales training.
Act as a knowledgeable expert to customers.
Assist with sales exhibit planning and attend trade shows.
Participate in education and training conferences on selling and marketing programs.
Coordinate and assist in leading sales meetings, including site selection and agenda preparation.
Monitor competitive activity and develop methods for attaining new accounts.
Troubleshoot problems regarding products provided.
Answer customer questions and handle complaints.
Travel regionally between Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, including periodic travel for trade shows.