Technical Service Manager

FMC Corporation

About The Position

FMC Corporation is a global leader in agricultural sciences, driven by our purpose: Innovation for Agriculture. Solutions for the Planet. We are passionate about the power of science to solve agriculture’s biggest challenges. With one of the most productive and diversified pipelines in the industry, FMC is delivering cutting-edge and next-generation crop protection technologies – including Dodhylex™ active, Isoflex™ active, rimisoxafen, and fluindapyr – to help farmers increase the productivity and resilience of their land. Our employees are at the heart of this innovation. We’re looking for bold thinkers and collaborative doers. At FMC, your ideas matter. From day one, you’ll contribute to meaningful work that drives progress in agriculture, supported by a culture that values integrity, safety, respect, and results. Join us in advancing the future of agriculture. Together, we’re building a more resilient planet – one innovation at a time. External Overview: FMC Corporation is a leading specialty company focused on agricultural technologies. FMC provides innovative and cost-effective solutions to enhance crop yield and quality by controlling a broad spectrum of insects, weeds and disease, as well as in non-agricultural markets for pest control. FMC is a globally diverse organization that offers its employees exciting opportunities to work on challenging projects that are important to the achievement of our strategic objectives. Your education and professional experience are valued and put to use from day one. Your success at completing key initiatives can result in a varied, progressive, and fulfilling career with FMC. With a corporate culture of innovation, integrity, responsibility, and customer intimacy, we foster “The Right Chemistry” in everything we do. We are looking for people to join us in creating, developing, and improving our products, our processes, and our markets. If you are ready to make a difference every day, FMC is ready to talk to you. Function Overview: The Technical Service Manager (TSM) handles all the technical support functions for their area on behalf of FMC. This person works closely with the sales team and the regional sales leadership in the region. The research testing funds to the universities flow through the Technical Services Manager as does training presentations, localized sales tools and customer complaints. The TSM collaborates closely with the other technical support personnel outside the local geography as well as the marketing, regulatory and product development groups. The TSM will work closely with the Regional Technical Manager to ensure the technical focus of the region is in harmony with the technical focus across the North America Crop Business.

Requirements

MS in Entomology, Plant Pathology/Physiology, Weed Science, Agronomy or other agricultural/related science or equivalent experience
2-5 years of experience in technical support, selling chemical crop protection, seed or agronomy services
Excellent speaking, writing, and computer skills
Working knowledge of ARM
Capability to design protocols and research projects that creatively and effectively demonstrate the features and benefits of agronomic inputs
Proven ability to effectively summarize technically complex information to an audience with more limited technical expertise
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively under pressure, navigate contentious situations and resolve conflict
Ability to build, sustain and service strong business relationships with customers, agronomy staff of key retail accounts, and teammates
Demonstrated ability to make decisions under minimum supervision, partners with leadership on decisions of a complex nature
Demonstrated ability to make decisions of a complex through independent judgment and creativity
Demonstrated ability to effectively negotiate with customers, teammates and management
Experience leading projects or special assignment involving work outside the area/region with little guidance

Nice To Haves

PhD preferred
Certified Crop Advisor or equivalent certification desired

Responsibilities

Maintain strong technical knowledge of commercial agriculture, new technologies and competitive chemistries & positioning impacting the business
Build strong working relationships with university extension personnel and other important influencers in the territory
Leverage connections to ensure they are adequately prepared to recommend FMC products upon launch and that FMC and our products are represented fairly in publications and in live field and industry events
Manage, implement & supervise research testing funds and influence trial plans through the grant-in-aid (GIA) budget that are aligned with regional sales and marketing objectives
Develop, execute & supervise appropriate support activities aligned with key initiatives as outlined in the annual FMC Goals and Objectives
Work hand in hand with Product Development teammates to ensure testing programs are aligned with market trends and upcoming development projects as launch time approaches
Manage expenses, service to sales dollars & product demo budget consistent & aligned with key regional initiatives
Provide technical product training & give regional guidance on complaint handling and assist Field Sales Representatives (FSRs) in complaint calls where necessary for agronomic expertise, problem diagnosis, and input on resolution.
Develop various training modules and provide technical consulting and training to internal and external groups, focusing on new product launches
Provide necessary proof of validation using sound data and information for label updates and amendments and assist regulatory department with label use instructions
Produce sales tools such as newsletters, technical recommendation sheets and other sales collateral
Carefully review, edit and approve technical, sales, marketing and or advertising communications
Continue to strengthen the communication between other regional technical support groups and internal functional groups