Agronomy Sales Manager

Southern States Cooperative•Milford, DE

22d

About The Position

The Agronomy Sales Manager works with Grower/Producer farm accounts to grow sales while maintaining the existing customer base. The role calls on current and prospective customers within Southern States' footprint, provides technical expertise, and sells products and programs. The position is eligible for the Sales Commission Program. The work environment varies by location and can include climate-controlled indoor spaces, warehouses subject to seasonal temperatures and humidity, and outdoor work exposed to weather. The role may involve exposure to sharp-edged merchandise and tools, hazardous materials and agricultural chemicals, moving mechanical parts and vehicles, vibration, electric current, and noise. Schedule requirements vary by location; extended hours or alternate work schedules may be required, and employees must be able to report on time in adverse weather. Physical demands vary by location and merchandise mix. Duties may involve frequent bending, stooping, repetitive hand motions, reaching, standing, walking, coordination, twisting, and lifting or carrying loads up to 100 pounds, with assistance potentially available for heavier loads. The role also requires communicating with coworkers and customers and hearing calls, radio transmissions, and equipment or vehicle sounds. Specific vision capabilities include close, distance, and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjusting focus.

Requirements

Experience with field scouting and making sound agronomic recommendations.
Knowledge of Crop Precision Ag programs, including GPS, gridding, mapping, and precision crop plans.
Ability to sell the complete line of fertilizer, seed, and chemicals.
Ability to develop sales strategies and techniques to increase sales and meet sales goals.
Ability to learn and present programs to Growers/Producers in group or individual settings.
Effective communication, organizational, and presentation skills.
PC proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Ability to travel up to 95%, with limited overnight stays.
Ability to report to work on time in adverse weather conditions.
Ability to meet the physical, communication, hearing, and vision demands described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in agronomy; a combination of training and experience may be considered in lieu of a completed degree.
3–5 years of agronomic sales experience.
CDL license and other agriculture-related certifications.

Responsibilities

Independently call on customers to solicit sales, answer product questions, and recommend best practices related to products and services.
Coordinate sales efforts with General Managers, Assistant General Managers, and Operations Managers; develop prospect lists, provide market intelligence, and coordinate product delivery schedules.
Participate in local community and grower meetings, USDA and Extension meetings, and county extension boards or agriculture-related councils.
Provide customers with technical assistance and best-management-practice information; assist with weed and pest identification and recommend appropriate products and services.
Coordinate resources to resolve customer issues and complaints, working with Product Specialists, Buyers, Agronomists, vendors, and corporate management staff; maintain relationships with state land-grant universities and local county extension personnel.
Use the CRM tool to maintain customer records and prospect lists and report weekly sales calls; submit weekly fieldwork reports and expense vouchers to the General Manager.
Plan and coordinate commodity and grower meetings for current customers and prospects.
Promote John Deere Financial, GrowMaster, and other company programs as sales tools to build new business.
Represent the Cooperative professionally by wearing the approved uniform and maintaining a neat, well-maintained vehicle.
Attend sales and account-service training and stay current on industry trends and company products and services; use available resources to improve effectiveness.
Pursue continuing education, including Crops Certification seminars where applicable; may hold a CDL and other agriculture-related certifications.
Perform other responsibilities and duties assigned by the supervisor.