Mgr, Market & Product Dev - Seedway - Lakeland, FL

GROWMARK, Inc. • Lakeland, FL

18h

About The Position

SEEDWAY, LLC is a full-line seed company providing farm seed, lawn and turf products, and vegetable seed to growers across several regions of the United States and Eastern Canada. It is headquartered in Hall, New York, and employs 280 people nationwide, including seasonal workers. SEEDWAY is part of the GROWMARK system.

The Manager, Market & Product Development is responsible for managing product lines in assigned species and working with the Vegetable Seed Business Manager, Sales Manager, Product Development Team, vendors, and assigned salespeople to develop new markets and increase sales. The role selects products, directs purchases, forecasts sales and product life cycles, sets pricing strategy, and manages inventory. It also supports salespeople and develops relationships with potential customers to grow direct sales.

The position works with the product development team to establish strategic trials on customers’ farms and assist in evaluating those trials. It also works with vegetable brokers, sales agents, and buyers to increase Seedway’s exposure and sales. The employee must follow applicable GROWMARK policies and procedures, participate in required training, travel independently and overnight, and be able to work extended hours beyond normal hours.

Requirements

• Normally requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Plant Science, Agriculture, or equivalent.
• Requires 6 or more years of vegetable industry-related work experience demonstrating leadership in business and marketing, including project management, problem-solving, and planning skills.
• Demonstrate business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision-making, and skill-development abilities.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Be able to travel independently and overnight.
• Be able and willing to work extended hours beyond those considered normal.
• Be able and willing to participate in required training.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of GROWMARK System marketing strategies, competitive analysis, sales administration programs, and proprietary software.

Responsibilities

• Manage product lines in assigned species, including product selection, purchase direction, sales and life-cycle forecasting, pricing strategy, and inventory management.
• Support assigned salespeople by sharing product and market knowledge to increase sales with existing customers.
• Interact with potential customers to establish seed business relationships and develop direct sales to growers.
• Work with the product development team to place strategic trials on customers’ farms and assist with trial evaluation.
• Work with vegetable brokers, sales agents, and buyers to increase Seedway’s exposure and sales.
• Follow applicable GROWMARK Code of Conduct, Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA, and DOT policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Participate in required training related to GROWMARK policies and procedures and the position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager