Sales Agronomist III-Central Illinois

Bayer•Residence Based, IL

12d•Remote

About The Position

This role covers Central Illinois including the following counties: Fulton, Tazewell, Logan and Mason. The primary responsibilities of this role, Sales Agronomist III, are to lead the development of a comprehensive Bayer portfolio business plan with Field Sales Representatives (FSRs) for assigned geography, prioritizing ~100 growers with high growth opportunity. This includes building relationships with key growers by providing value-added support, such as agronomic insights, product selection, and placement recommendations. The role also involves delivering squad goals by leading grower demand generation plans and supporting others' role responsibilities. The Sales Agronomist III will provide whole-farm agronomic advice through education, product selection, and placement, while staying informed of agricultural research. They will drive trials related to the Bayer Portfolio with targeted growers and offer additional support at key seasonal milestones like crop planning, in-season product needs, field scouting, and harvest monitoring. Collaboration with FSRs, TAs, and Partners on business planning, understanding, and influencing growers' business objectives is crucial. The role requires resolving performance issues and supporting key grower needs in season, including PPIs and Replants. Strategic recommendations to leadership on innovative ways to enhance business results are expected, as is connecting with company peers on programs and issues to gain alignment and support for resolutions. The Sales Agronomist III will monitor grower account inventory progress, track planned activities, and identify new issues or opportunities throughout the year. Management of an annual SG&A budget and program expenditures is also a key responsibility. Travel is approximately ~60% with significant face-to-face customer interaction.

Requirements

Agility in communication approach to effectively interact with organizations or individuals, while balancing and building relationship dynamics
Ability to speak to company practices regarding current and future products and corporate initiatives
Demonstrated strategic thinking capability using business insights to project decisions
Digital fluency with industry tools and a desire to use data-driven decisions to grow the business
Strong analytical, influence, innovative sales, and negotiation skills with documented ability to drive results
Excellent facilitation, presentation, written communication, and conflict management skills
Ability to quickly start and grow strategic relationships and influence customer behavior
Strong task management, prioritization, and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously for effective customer support
Exceptional networking and consultative sales skills to engage customers and build new relationships
Ability to quickly learn and apply agronomic knowledge to promote options fitting customer needs
Position requires driving for the company, possibly under DOT/FMCSA jurisdiction, involving safe hauling of trailers, products, supplies, or equipment

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in an agriculture-related discipline, business, or related field
Minimum of 8 years of relevant agriculture experience in agronomy, technology, sales, or marketing
Experience with sales teams and teams working remotely

Responsibilities

Lead the development of a comprehensive Bayer portfolio business plan with Field Sales Representatives (FSRs) for assigned geography, prioritizing ~100 growers with high growth opportunity
Build relationships with key growers by providing value-added support, including agronomic insights, product selection, and placement recommendations
Deliver squad goals by leading grower demand generation plans and supporting others' role responsibilities
Provide whole-farm agronomic advice through education, product selection, and placement, while staying informed of agricultural research
Drive trials related to Bayer Portfolio with targeted growers
Offer additional support at key seasonal milestones such as crop planning, in-season product needs, field scouting, and harvest monitoring
Collaborate with FSRs, TAs, and Partner on business planning, understanding, and influencing growers' business objectives
Resolve performance issues and support key grower needs in season, including PPIs and Replants
Make strategic recommendations to leadership on innovative ways to enhance business results
Connect with company peers on programs and issues to gain alignment and support for resolutions
Monitor grower account inventory progress, track planned activities, and identify new issues or opportunities throughout the year
Manage an annual SG&A budget and program expenditures
Travel approximately ~60% with significant face-to-face customer interaction