Area Agronomist

BCforward; Fresno (CA); Remote; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

BCforward is seeking an experienced agronomy professional for a remotely based role with heavy travel to Central Valley, CA and surrounding areas. You will educate the retail network on PhytoGen cottonseed products, support field sales, and manage product lifecycle communications.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in agronomy, especially cotton production, and proven skills in teaching, sales, and relationship building.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agronomy, preferably with a focus on cotton.
• Master's degree in agronomy or equivalent is preferred.
• At least 5 years of agronomy experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of crop production, PhytoGen cottonseed offerings, local markets, and regulatory considerations.
• Strong teaching/training, selling, negotiating, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess new products for fit with customer needs and provide education to the retail network.
• Support field sales by resolving customer service calls and providing product information.
• Coordinate product evaluations and prepare performance summaries for sales/marketing teams.
• Train field sales force on product characteristics and crop management practices.

Skills

Teaching/Training

Sales

Negotiation

Influencing

Presenting

Relationship building

Team collaboration

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in agronomy

Master's degree in agronomy

Tools

Reports systems

Job description

Location: Virtual - Travel - 90% - Strong preference for Fresno, Madera, or surrounding Central Valley, CA

Duration: 10 Months

Description

Assess new products for fit in meeting customer needs in the area.

Develop and provide agronomic, product and service education to the retail network that helps support the sales and service of PhytoGen® cottonseed brand products and associated technologies. Support the field sales force by working to resolve customer service calls.

Provide product, agronomic, and general crop production information through several mediums directly to customers.

Targeted involvement in demand creation of PhytoGen® cottonseed.

• Resolve customer service calls involving product performance and/or agronomic issues.
• Assist in building strong relationships with local universities and governmental agencies, end users, influencers, and other industry representatives.
• Provide service and information to customers, prospects and farm managers through various methods and mediums (newsletters, customer meetings, service calls and sales calls)
• Assist with sales calls as needed.
• Provide input and/or evaluate AM and sales rep performance, selection and evaluation in concert with the District Sales Leaders

Product Evaluation

• Collect information/notes and observations related to the performance of PhytoGen® cottonseed brand products and associated technologies.
• Provide overall performance evaluations on PhytoGen® cottonseed brand products.Coordinate product evaluation trials.
• Provide liaison between field and research.
• Prepare product performance summaries for use by sales force and marketing

Technical/Agronomic/Product Training

• Work with assigned District Leader to provide support for information and education/training to field sales force on product characteristics, product positioning and crop management practices.
• Train field sales force on methods to handle service calls to enhance selling activities.
• Efficiently and effectively transfer technical knowledge to sales field force by developing materials, references, structured sessions and provide ongoing bulletins and seminars.

Product Lifecycle Management

• Represent the territory in identifying and communicating long-term product needs and short-term product gaps.
• Represent the territory in product advancement discussions and decisions.
• Responsible for timely and accurate updates in systems that track advancement decisions, parent plans, and product retirements
• Collaborate with technical team and marketing to summarize product performance information and create product positioning information and materials.

A bachelor's degree is required, preferably in an agronomic field with a focus on cotton.

Master's Degree in agronomy or equivalent is preferred.

At least 5 years of Agronomy experience is preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of: Crop production/cultural practices of the area. PhytoGen® cottonseed brand offerings and competitive product/service offerings; local Ag markets; value chain and production practices, and PhytoGen® product offerings in relation to seed selling & marketing tools and techniques; environmental, regulatory, and stewardship issues of & PhytoGen® competitive products at the local/regional level. Company policies and procedures.

Demonstrated skills in: Teaching/training. Selling, negotiating, influencing, and presenting.

Conflict resolution and handling objections.

Using computer hardware software/intranet to generate reports, territory plans, and complete administrative duties.

Demonstrated ability to Build/maintain strong relationships with customers, key industry/market influencers, Vylor internal partners and teammates.

Work effectively within a team environment.

Lead and influence projects and coach individuals in accomplishing defined objectives/goals.

Understand the needs and values of partners and customers and develop solutions to satisfy/retain.

Get results by taking initiative, overcoming obstacles & finding creative solutions.

Work independently with minimum supervision and operate within budget.

Work in and adapt to a rapidly changing business environment.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting -- Occasional lifting up to 70 pounds
• Climbing/Balancing -- None required
• Stooping/Bending Over -- Occasional is unavoidable
• Standing/Sitting -- Stand/sit about 25/75 percent of job time
• Reaching -- Horizontal plane; occasional overhead
• Hearing -- Acute hearing required
• Vision -- Corrected vision necessary to obtain Drivers License