Account Manager, Southern IL

Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC is seeking an Account Manager, Sales for a remote role covering Southern Illinois. You will grow the retail customer base by onboarding new retailers, providing product training, and supporting adoption through expert guidance.

You will develop annual territory and business plans, forecast sales, and work with Marketing and R&D to align product development with customer needs. Travel to territories will be required as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of full-time exempt sales experience in Agriculture
• Preferred BA/BS in Agriculture or related field
• Proven ability to develop deep working relationships and present product benefits
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with retailers and consultants
• Experience with lead generation, territory planning, and sales forecasting
• Proficient with MS Office and CRM software

Responsibilities

• Drive growth by calling on new retailers and building recurring book of business in the assigned territory
• Own entire sales cycle from cold calling to closing and retailer management
• Maintain strong product knowledge and position Verdesian products to retailers
• Develop annual territory and business plans and forecast demand and budgets
• Coordinate with Marketing and R&D to align product development with customer needs
• Travel as required to cover retailers and attend meetings with stakeholders
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support retailers and ensure product availability
• Ensure regulatory compliance knowledge (EPA/state) is applied in sales activities

Skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Relationship building

Negotiation

Time management

Organizational skills

B2B sales

Academic engagement

MS Office & CRM

Education

BA/BS in Agriculture related field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Verdesian is seeking an individual to fill our remote Account Manager, Sales role in Southern IL. The Account Manager is responsible for growing Verdesian’s retail customer base within assigned territory by selling the full product portfolio. This role focuses on identifying and onboarding new retail partners, providing product training, and supporting adoption through expert guidance. The Account Manager will develop and execute annual territory and business plans, collaborate with VIP customers, and provide accurate sales forecasts to ensure proper product availability. They are expected to manage their operating budgets responsibly and work cross-functionally with Marketing and R&D to align product development with customer needs. Success in this role requires strong product knowledge, sales acumen, and a commitment to delivering value to both customers and the organization.

• Drive business growth in assigned region calling on and building business with new retailers, establishing a recurring book of business, to achieve territory revenue and profit targets
• Own the entire sales cycle from cold calling and initial retailer engagement to selling products and managing the retailer
• Maintain a high level of product knowledge & develop strong relationships to become a consultant with prospective/acquired retailers overcoming market challenges and positioning the value of Verdesian products
• Develop business plans to strategically target retailers in assigned territory forecasting future sales and budgets
• Leverage and execute lead generation campaigns and research trials as appropriate
• Structure weekly/monthly sales efforts to achieve business plans and territory target
• Anticipate retailers and territory needs regularly engaging marketing, customer service, and other departments to share market trends and prepare for future territory growth
• Understand and deploy a working knowledge of EPA and state regulations
• Facilitate business relationships contributing to public relations
• Other Account Manager duties not listed above as required

Qualifications:

• Interest & belief in the importance of nutrient use efficiency
• Experience selling inoculants, fertilizer enhancers, and/or micronutrients a plus
• Minimum work experience of 5 years full-time exempt sales experience in Agriculture industry
• Preferred education of BA or BS degree in Agriculture related field

Criteria:

• Strong communication (both written and verbal) and presentation skills
• Proven ability to develop deep working relationships
• Ability to clearly articulate key product benefits and selling points based on retailer needs
• Proven persuasion and negotiation skills
• Effective time management and organization skills to succeed in fast-paced environment
• Proven track record in business-to-business sales environment
• Ability to work with and establish rapport with Chemical Fertilizer Dealership Staff, Certified Crop Advisors, and Independent Crop Consultants
• Ability to interface and engage with academic arenas
• Efficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) & CRM systems
• Maintain a clean driving record with ability to travel long distances
• Experience in lead generation and qualification a plus
• Strong understanding of biological technologies as related to agriculture a plus

Verdesian Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex, and sexual orientation.

Qualifications

Behaviors

Preferred

Innovative

: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Team Player

: Works well as a member of a group

Enthusiastic

: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Detail Oriented

: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Preferred

Ability to Make an Impact

: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Self-Starter

: Inspired to perform without outside help

Entrepreneurial Spirit

: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better in Agriculture or related field.

Bachelors or better in Agronomy.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.