Associate Sales Agronomist

HEARTLAND CO-OP•Clive, IA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a learning and development role focused on building the competencies needed to become a successful Sales Agronomist while also supporting other parts of the business. The Associate Sales Agronomist learns to develop customer and prospect relationships, support sales and agronomic recommendations, coordinate customer service, and contribute to sales, inventory, and account planning. The role works with a Sales Agronomist and customers, farmer owners, co-workers, suppliers, management, and other company departments or locations. The position requires travel and work at other Heartland Co-op locations or regions for extended periods. It involves frequent exposure to outdoor weather conditions, occasional work near moving mechanical parts, moderate noise, long seasonal work hours, and physical activity including occasionally lifting or moving up to 50 pounds. The role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Associate's degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or two to three years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts including plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, fractions, percentages, and ratios.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret a wide range of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.
Knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing, accounting, and precision agriculture software.
Obtain and maintain a CCA certificate and other appropriate certifications, including pesticide licensing certifications for Core, 1A-Weeds, 1B-Insects, 1C-Diseases, and 4-Seed Treatment.
Maintain a valid driver’s license and commercial insurability.
Willingness to travel to and work in other Heartland Co-op locations or regions for extended periods.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Learn to manage, maintain, and prioritize a list of customers and prospects to identify growth opportunities.
Learn to maintain and increase sales with existing customers and gain business from new customers.
Document and submit sales call information in the CRM system.
Train and teach farmer owners and co-workers about technology products used to provide value to an operation.
Observe and demonstrate consistent communication between customers and location personnel to set service expectations and resolve problems and scheduling issues.
Work with a Sales Agronomist to advise customers on proper product and equipment use.
Participate in technical, sales, and other training.
Learn to schedule soil samples, soil nitrate tests, plant tissue analysis, soybean cyst samples, and yield checks for current and new customers.
Assist a Sales Agronomist with sales calls and recommendations for current and potential customers regarding fertilizer, chemicals, seed, tillage practices, crop consulting, and related matters.
Collaborate with other departments and locations to identify potential customer benefits from company programs.
Work with customers, suppliers, and management to resolve product and service complaints fairly and equitably.
Learn to make sound agronomic recommendations by presenting solutions, products, services, and concepts to maximize customer returns.
Learn to maintain sales contracts.
Assist in developing account plans and strategies to achieve desired customer results.
Learn to help the location monitor projected sales and inventory needs.
Work with a Sales Agronomist to manage sales toward target margins and product mix.
Assist with periodic sales volume forecasts for inventory planning and budget projections.
Assist in monitoring and evaluating potential accounts receivable risks for current and potential customers.
Complete IA/NE CCA certification.
Complete pesticide licensing certifications for Core, 1A-Weeds, 1B-Insects, 1C-Diseases, and 4-Seed Treatment.
Travel to and work in other Heartland Co-op locations or regions for extended periods.
Maintain a valid driver’s license and commercial insurability.
Perform other duties as assigned by Management.