Agronomy Sales Manager

Southern States Cooperative•Alcolu, SC

20d

About The Position

Work with Grower/Producer farm accounts to grow sales while maintaining the existing customer base. Call on current and prospective Growers/Producers within Southern States' footprint and provide technical expertise. The position includes selling products and programs and is eligible for the Sales Commission Program. Job functions may vary by location, and reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The work environment varies by location and may include climate-controlled indoor settings, warehouses subject to seasonal temperatures and humidity, and outdoor work exposed to weather. The role may involve exposure to sharp-edged merchandise, tools and hazardous materials; agricultural dust, odors, fumes and chemicals; moving mechanical parts, vehicles, vibration and electric current. Hearing protection is optional under the PPE Plan for specified noise levels. Schedule requirements vary by location; extended hours or alternate schedules may be required, as well as reporting to work on time in adverse weather conditions. Physical activities vary by location and merchandise mix. The job involves frequent or sustained bending, stooping, manual dexterity and repetitive hand motion, reaching, standing, walking, eye-hand coordination, and twisting. It may also require climbing, crouching, stacking, sweeping, balancing, kneeling, shoveling and sitting, and lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads up to 100 pounds, sometimes with assistance. The employee must communicate with coworkers and customers and hear phone calls, radios, equipment and vehicle sounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, color and 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 and in adverse weather conditions.
Ability to perform the physical activities described, including lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads up to 100 pounds, sometimes with assistance.
Ability to speak with coworkers and customers about sales, operations and safety, and to hear customer service calls, handheld radios, equipment and vehicle sounds.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in agronomy preferred; a combination of training and experience may be considered in lieu of a completed degree.
Three to five years of agronomic sales experience preferred.
May possess a 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, prospect lists, market intelligence, and product delivery schedules with the General Manager and/or Assistant General Manager and Operations Managers.
Participate in local community meetings, including grower, USDA and Extension meetings, and take an active role on county extension boards or agriculture-related councils.
Provide customers with technical assistance and information on best management practices; assist with weed and pest identification and recommend appropriate SSC products and services.
Coordinate resources to resolve customer issues and complaints, working with Product Specialists, Buyers, Agronomists, Vendors and corporate management staff.
Maintain strong relationships with state land grant universities and local county extension personnel.
Use the CRM Tool to maintain customer records and prospect lists, report weekly sales calls, and 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 for building new business.
Represent the Cooperative professionally by wearing the approved company uniform and maintaining a neat, well-maintained vehicle.
Attend schools and training sessions on selling and servicing accounts and stay current on industry trends and SSC products and services.
Use available resources, including internet searches and traditional sources, to improve effectiveness.
Pursue continuing education by attending Crops Certification seminars where applicable; may hold a CDL and other agriculture-related certifications.
Perform other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the supervisor.