Sales Associate Ag Lending

Compeer Financial • Waite Park, MN

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Empowered to live. Inspired to work.
Compeer Financial is a member-owned cooperative located in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. We bring together team members with a variety of backgrounds and experiences to help provide financial services to support agriculture and rural communities. Join us in a culture that not only promotes meaningful work and professional development, but provides a flexible, hybrid work environment and excellent benefits, which empower you to thrive both personally and professionally.
This position offers a hybrid work option up to 50% remote and is based out of the Waite Park, MN office location.
The contributions you will make:
This position participates in a 6-18-month training program designed to develop a high-performing sales team member. The primary focus of the program is sales training, with a particular emphasis on Ag Lending and Crop and Livestock Insurance. The incumbent follows a comprehensive syllabus that includes modules on Sales, Crop Insurance, Credit, Appraisal, and Marketing. Upon successful completion of the program, the incumbent is wellprepared to assume a sales position in Ag Lending or Crop and Livestock Insurance.
A typical day:
Industry Expertise
Participates in classroom and experiential training to gain in-depth understanding of the agricultural industry.
Facilitates learning and collaboration by engaging with team members across Compeer’s diverse geographical locations.
Attends agricultural meetings, farm open houses/tours, trade shows, extension meetings and other networking events to keep current on agriculture and financial market changes.
Attends education events, training events and industry meetings to advance professional and technical skills.
Sales and Relationship Development
Markets loans and related services, establishing new market relationships that will contribute towards attainment of Compeer’s goals and business objectives.
Assists with the maintenance of prospect files, establishing ongoing prospecting plans and activities, and developing and making a commitment to individual sales goals for both loans and related services.
Administers loans, policies and appraisals to cultivate positive client relationships that contribute to Compeer’s success.
Assists in building client relationships and prospecting new clients, while collaborating with experienced sales team members to establish criteria for long-term success.
Accompanies sales team members on client and prospect visits and actively participates in the sales process.
Processes loans, utilizes loan origination system, and analyzes financial information assigned by Marketplace Leadership.
Special Projects
Assists with research as directed by team leader to advance the department or organization.
Fills in for a departed full-time sales person until a full-time position is hired.
Provides support with responsibilities during the vacancy of a full-time sales position as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, ag business or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essentials functions of the job.
• Ability to obtain an Insurance License within six months of hire is required.
• Ability to make sound judgments is required.
• Solid organizational, interpersonal, communication, problem solving, analytical, negotiating and influencing skills are required.
• Knowledge of farm production methods and products, a general understanding of farm business management and finance.
• Must demonstrate effective team building and processing skills.
• The understanding of and ability to use various computer, business/financial applications is required.
• Knowledge of loan products and services, as well as credit operations.
• Knowledge of farm production methods, farm products, and farm business management/finance.
• Effective interpersonal, communication, client service and team skills.
• Effective problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office applications and customer relationship management (CRM) programs.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing situations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with other teams to achieve goals and represent the business.
• Ability to network with clients, prospects and key influencers.
• Knowledge of accounting principles with an understanding of financial reports, ratio and benchmarks.
• Travel is required during the training program.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. Compeer is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in agribusiness/farming industry, agricultural credit or closely related field preferred.
• Knowledge of “value added” business and farming concepts.

Responsibilities

• Participates in classroom and experiential training to gain in-depth understanding of the agricultural industry.
• Facilitates learning and collaboration by engaging with team members across Compeer’s diverse geographical locations.
• Attends agricultural meetings, farm open houses/tours, trade shows, extension meetings and other networking events to keep current on agriculture and financial market changes.
• Attends education events, training events and industry meetings to advance professional and technical skills.
• Markets loans and related services, establishing new market relationships that will contribute towards attainment of Compeer’s goals and business objectives.
• Assists with the maintenance of prospect files, establishing ongoing prospecting plans and activities, and developing and making a commitment to individual sales goals for both loans and related services.
• Administers loans, policies and appraisals to cultivate positive client relationships that contribute to Compeer’s success.
• Assists in building client relationships and prospecting new clients, while collaborating with experienced sales team members to establish criteria for long-term success.
• Accompanies sales team members on client and prospect visits and actively participates in the sales process.
• Processes loans, utilizes loan origination system, and analyzes financial information assigned by Marketplace Leadership.
• Assists with research as directed by team leader to advance the department or organization.
• Fills in for a departed full-time sales person until a full-time position is hired.
• Provides support with responsibilities during the vacancy of a full-time sales position as needed.

Benefits

• Hybrid model – up to 50% work from home
• Flexible schedules including ample flexibility in the summer months
• Up to 9% towards 401k (3% fixed Compeer contribution plus up to 6% match)
• Benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, life & AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability, wellness program & EAP
• Vacation, sick leave, holidays/floating holidays, parental leave, and volunteer paid time off
• Learning and development programs
• Mentorship programs
• Cross-functional committee opportunities (i.e. Inclusion Council, emerging professional groups, etc.)
• Professional membership/certification reimbursement and more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees