Sales Specialist - Dairy Equipment

GEA•Naperville, IL

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the heritage of a well-established company with the innovation of a forward-thinking industry leader. At GEA, we’re not just building equipment, we’re building lasting careers with an average employee tenure range from 5 to over 11+ years, reflecting the strong culture, growth opportunities, and support we provide.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business Management, or equivalent preferred.
2 – 4 years’ experience in sales is a plus.
Experience with robotic milking barn designs, cow flow, nutrition management, herd management and financial documentation for dairies to secure project financing at lending institutions.
Demonstrated leadership and management skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
Travel required (60-80%) Dependent on location.
Must live within the territory (Texas or Idaho) preferably in largest market portion of the territory and within reasonable distance to an airport.
Ability to work in a team and individually.
Flexible, adaptable team player with excellent written and communication skills.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Sales of Conventional and Automated Milking Equipment and all components associated with the project.
Service existing customers / dealers and develop new markets.
Provide information regarding product positioning, product functionality, advantages, competitive situations, and new product introductions.
Assist customers and dealers with the selection of the appropriate robotic milking system, barn design, cow flow, nutrition management, herd management and financial documentation for dairies to secure project financing at lending institutions.
Nurture Dealer relationships and Prospect Dealers to develop sales opportunities and grow territory.
Act as the liaison between GEA, Dealers, and Dairies.
Participate in conventions, meetings, seminars, and training sessions associated with our product/industry.
Maintain current industry knowledge, understand the market and our competitors, and GEA solutions.
Support dealers in servicing existing dairies and assist with all phases of the sales process.
Analyze customer satisfaction by talking to Dealers, customers, sales, technical support, and quality management; define market/customer expectations and report result to other departments.
Report and evaluate any warranty issues or claims.
Communicate with management through weekly 1:1’s, phone calls, emails, call reports, and sales forecasts.
Work closely with Dealer Account Manager.
Review Policies & Procedures handbook annually with assigned Dealers.
Collaborate with Dealers on Premier Partners Program.
Review any GEA bulletins/information with all dealers monthly.
Report information to GEA (but not limited to): product failures or manufacturer defects need for new products necessary design changes to existing products trends or ideas in the industry equipment information/competitive technology product performance and owner's acceptance of GEA products.
Ensure GEA product information is up-to-date (self, and dealers).
Evaluate and analyze the market potential of designated territory (map).
Participate in an annual business planning session with designated GEA dealers, including overall business evaluation.
Propose the replacement of a dealership when GEA criteria is not met.
Mediate and resolve issues between GEA and dealers.
Follow all GEA policies and procedures.
Maintain an accurate CRM database, including proper forecasting, project probability.
Ensure project documentation such as signed agreements, purchase orders, and Terms & Conditions are received and processed on time.
Responsible for the administration of the applicable product line product/sales and training programs for dealers within assigned territory.
Assist the dealers with product knowledge, competitive comparisons, quoting and ordering procedures.
Create process flow for product information & data.
Lead GEA dealer training efforts (sales, installation, and technical).
Take responsibility for product/feature/positioning/competition sales training.
Recruit, organize or deliver face-to-face or online training, when needed.
Responsible for Sales+ dealership training.
Recruit dealers to attend classes.
Assist dealers and end user with project design/configuration.
Provide technical assistance at the dealer’s place of business and/or on-farm calls.
Assist new dealers when they perform a field demonstration.
Time in the field with dealers and customers in expected to be 90% or greater.
Visit and invest quality time with designated dealers (including sales representatives, account managers and management) regularly.
Efficiently plan monthly schedule.
Submit monthly itinerary, weekly calls reports, expense reports, etc. as instructed.
Attend meetings requested by GEA.