Crop Protection Category Manager, Canada

Farmer's Business Network, Inc.; Calgary; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Farmer's Business Network, Inc. is seeking a Category Manager for Canada in Calgary to lead demand planning, pricing strategy, and promotional programs for the Canadian market.

You will interact with marketing, sales, customer service, supply chain and finance to develop demand plans and ensure alignment with procurement. Strong Excel skills and agronomic background are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with farmers facing issues.
• At least 10+ years in Canadian Crop Protection industry with product and use profile knowledge.
• Strong domain experience in farming, production agriculture, retail or input sales.
• Proficient in Excel for data analysis and planning.
• Background in Agronomy including agronomic data management.

Responsibilities

• Lead demand planning and pricing strategy for the Canadian market.
• Develop promotional strategy and calendar; measure performance and adjust plans.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, customer service, supply chain, and finance.
• Coach and train demand planning across levels; drive forecast accuracy.

Skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Project planning

Fast-paced teamwork

Farmer focus

Education

B.Sc in Agriculture / agronomy

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Tableau

Job description

Company Overview

Farmers Business Network, Inc. (FBN®) is a pioneering digital marketplace and farmer-to-farmer network dedicated to empowering family farmers globally while promoting sustainable agriculture. With over 117,000 members, FBN's Farmers First® promise unites growers and ranchers in their quest to maximize profitability and increase food production. FBN leverages data, AI and direct-to-farm delivery to simplify the agricultural supply chain, boosting convenience and transparency, reducing farm input costs, enhancing access to financing and services, and providing personalized farm insights. Its Gradable® joint-venture helps thousands of farmers adopt and earn rewards for regenerative practices while simplifying the access of regenerative products for the world’s leading food companies and grain buyers.

Position Summary

The Category Manager, Canada will lead the demand planning, pricing strategy, promotional programs, and set overall strategy for the Canadian market.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

• Develop promotional strategy and calendar, measure ongoing performance, and adjust plans accordingly to maximize performance.
• Determine product pricing and gross-to-net discount structure, monitor margin performance, and adjust plans accordingly.
• Develop demand plans for multiple time horizons for use in sales and operations planning and supply planning
• Interact with marketing, sales, customer service, supply chain operations and finance to facilitate the planning process
• Lead process, provide training and coaching of demand planning at all levels of the organization
• Work closely with the sales management team to aggregate their forecasts, refine the data, and build a demand plan for the procurement team
• Use multiple sources of data to evaluate market size and macroeconomic factors which can impact demand
• Act as a subject matter expert in discussions about CP label investments, product placement, agronomy and competitive reactions to FBN
• Monitors performance to the monthly, quarterly and annual demand plans. Measures and reports actual vs. planned performance and bias overall by market segment, sales territory, product family and mix
• Acts as the focal point for supply planning and assists in the resolution of issues related to supply and demand imbalances, product allocation and deviations from planned inventory levels
• Participate in strategic discussions of which products to bring to the FBN Network.
• Leader with superior analytical skills, exceptional oral and written communication skills and who can see the “big picture” while still paying attention to detail
• Capable of presenting forecasts to all levels of management with supporting analysis and assumptions
• Results driven and possesses a strong sense of personal accountability and bias for action
• Proficient at managing multiple priorities and meeting commitments

Minimum Qualifications

• Very strong communication and interpersonal skills with a heightened sensitivity to the issues farmers face.
• At least 10+ years of Canadian Crop Protection industry experience, specifically of products and use profiles as well as tank mix/product combinations, rates, and an understanding of the competitive landscape.
• Strong domain experience and background in farming, production agriculture, retail or input sales.
• Proficient in the advanced use of Excel functions and capabilities for data analysis
• Background in Agronomy including, but not limited to, the management and use of agronomic data.
• Strong planning, prioritization and organizational skills in addition to being highly motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced, accountable team structure.
• A farmer focus and a commitment to farmer satisfaction, including FBN’s mission and vision
• B.Sc in Agriculture, agronomy or applied agronomic background

Preferred Qualifications

• Cross-functional experience working across the enterprise.
• Experience as a Business Manager, Branch Manager, or Region Manager for a full line, full service entity.
• Experience balancing execution, agility and culture at a fast growing business.
• Advanced experience working with Excel, Google Sheets and tableau

FBN is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. FBN considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

We participate in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program here.

FBN is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please fill out this form.