Agronomist - GRAINCO FS, Inc. - Mazon, IL

Phase2 Technology; Mazon (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Health insurance

Dental & Vision

Life insurance

401(k) match

Paid holidays & PTO

Job summary

FS Companies is seeking a sales professional to generate profitable sales in an assigned agricultural territory. You will learn target marketing, provide agronomic recommendations, and promote credit programs while ensuring customer creditworthiness.

Responsibilities include scheduling product deliveries, conducting patron meetings, and maintaining industry knowledge. Requires degree in agriculture/marketing/business and travel readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, marketing or business or equivalent; 1–2+ years sales experience.
• Strong business knowledge, collaboration, communication and customer focus.
• Valid driver's license with ability to travel overnight.
• Ability to obtain certifications such as CCA, CCS, CPAg.

Responsibilities

• Generates profitable sales in the assigned territory using target marketing and sales techniques.
• Develops territory and competitive analyses to stay current with the market.
• Provides value-added agronomic products, schedules deliveries and conducts patron meetings.
• Conducts sales interviews to identify customer needs and propose solutions.
• Schedules deliveries, soil testing, crop scouting and addresses customer concerns.
• Quotes prices and credit terms and promotes credit programs in sales contracts.
• Implements marketing plans and sales strategies for profitability.

Skills

Business knowledge

Collaboration

Communication

Customer focus

Decision making

Skill development

Education

Bachelor's degree in agriculture/marketing/business

Job description

The FS brand represents a standard of excellence for agricultural and energy-related products. It's the people who represent the FS brand that set it apart. As local cooperatives, FS Companies believe it is their responsibility to ensure that our earth, our communities, and businesses perform together, sustainably.FS Companies are committed to ensuring the continued profitability for the company, their owners, and their customers, while enacting to help the environment and greater good.

SALARY RANGE:$85,000-$100,000 / year

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

• Works to generate profitable sales in the assigned territory through learning target marketing, competitive analysis, providing value-added agronomic products, services, and recommendations, ensuring the credit worthiness of customers, and promoting credit programs as marketing tools.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes target marketing and professional sales techniques, including the FS sales interview road map, cropping programs, emphasis of appropriate features and benefits, and contact management system when calling on established patrons and prospects.
• Develops territory and competitive analysis to maintain a current knowledge of the marketplace and the competition.
• Provides value-added agronomic products, services, and recommendations to established patrons and prospects. Schedules product delivery and application to patron locations. Conducts regular patron meetings on product and technical information.
• Conducts sales interviews, identifies customer needs, and offers value-added agronomic products, services, and recommendations to established patrons and prospects. Assists with regular patron meetings on product and technical information.
• Provides customer service by scheduling product deliveries and application, soil testing, crop scouting and other programs. Follows up on all customer complaints and seeks a reasonable "win/win" resolution.
• Ensures the credit worthiness of customers, quotes prices and credit terms, and prepares sales contracts for orders obtained. Promotes the use of credit programs as a sales tool and helps provide the required information to establish credit.
• Implements marketing plans and develops sales strategies that generate profitable sales in the assigned territory.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for maintaining the assigned vehicle according to company standards, adheres to the uniform policy, and maintains the appropriate professional image.
• Assists in operations as needed.
• Collects for sales of all assigned products according to company credit policy.
• Ensures field signs are displayed on all customers’ fields to promote FS products
• Responsible for completing and updating profile information sheets on all key accounts and targeted prospects.
• Attains and maintains technical and sales skills to certification standards.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Normally requires an Bachelor's Degree in agriculture, marketing or business related discipline or the equivalent thereof, and 1 - 2 years or more of business related work experience and/or training or equivalent to demonstrate the ability to generate sales in an assigned territory.
• Demonstrated essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the appropriate driver's license and satisfactory driving record for the type of vehicle that will be required to operate in order to perform all the duties assigned prior to employment. Daily independent travel within the trade area with occasional over-night stays.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain applicable professional certifications associated with the agronomy industry. (i.e. CCA, CCS, CPAg, Commercial Applicator w/applicable categories)
• Occasionally exposed or required to:
  • Extreme weather conditions (hot, cold, wet, etc.)
  • Noisy conditions
  • Working conditions may include dust, fumes, chemicals, and electrical hazards with appropriate safety measures
  • May be required to work at varying heights
  • Lift up to 75 lbs.
• Must have the ability to travel independently and overnight.
• Ability to work extended hours as business conditions warrant

We are dedicated to supporting the long-term financial well-being of our employees through a fully funded pension, a cornerstone benefit that ensures security for the future. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a variety of supplemental plans like accident, critical illness, disability, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection. To promote a healthy work-life balance, employees enjoy generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays, giving you time to recharge and focus on what matters most. Additionally, our 401(k) plan with company matching helps you plan for retirement, while our free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports your overall well-being. Whether you're starting your career, balancing family life, or planning for retirement, our company is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that meets your needs at every stage. Benefits eligibility may vary depending on the position.

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. In addition to base pay, certain roles may be eligible for bonuses, incentives, and commissions.

We are an equal opportunity employer, including protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. Employment may be contingent upon receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.