Crop Associate - Ag-Land FS, Inc. - Mt. Pulaski, IL

FS; Illinois; On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

401(k) with company match

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

A leading agricultural cooperative in Illinois is seeking a motivated individual to drive sales and provide customer support in the agricultural sector. Responsibilities include working closely with experts in the field, providing agronomic services, and assisting with marketing efforts. Successful candidates will have an Associate’s Degree and proven communication and collaboration skills, as well as the ability to travel independently. A competitive salary and benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of business-related work experience preferred.
• Ability to travel independently and overnight.
• Requires the ability to obtain the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and Commercial Applicator certifications.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside Crop Specialist and Location Manager to drive profitable sales.
• Assist in developing marketing plans and conducting sales interviews.
• Provide scheduling and customer service for product deliveries.

Skills

Customer focus

Communication

Decision making

Collaboration

Education

Associate’s Degree in agriculture, marketing or business

Job description

Overview

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.

Purpose And Summary Statement

Trains and works alongside the Crop Specialist and Location Manager to generate profitable sales through marketing, competitive analysis, providing value-added agronomic products, services, and recommendations.

Why Work With Us?

• Outstanding Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and more
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Fully funded, plus a 401(k)
• Career Growth: Opportunities to advance into leadership, operations, sales, and other roles
• Meaningful Work: Support your local ag community and help farmers thrive
• Supportive Environment: Your hard work is recognized, your goals matter, and your name is known

Essential Job Functions

Assists in developing marketing plans and trains on professional sales techniques, including the FS sales interview road map, cropping programs, emphasis on appropriate features and benefits, and contact management system when calling on patrons and prospects.

Assists in sales interviews, identifies customer needs, and offers value-added agronomic products, services, and recommendations to 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.

Assists with all day-to-day operations during the peak crop input application seasons.

Other Job Functions

Ensures field signs are displayed on all customers’ fields to promote FS products.

Responsible for completing and updating profile information sheets on all targeted prospects.

Assists with processing invoicing for all incoming and outgoing products and services.

Organizes and communicates with the customer base on storage and delivery of corn, soybean, and wheat seed.

Develops technical and sales skills in accordance with certification standards.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Normally requires an Associate’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 have the ability to travel independently and overnight.

Ability to work extended hours as business conditions warrant.

Normally requires the ability to obtain the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and Commercial Applicator certifications to demonstrate agronomy expertise and experience.

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 51-75 lbs.

Benefits/Compensation

• Salary: $50,000 - $60,000
• May be eligible for location and/or company bonuses
• A defined benefit pension plan (fully funded)
• A 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Health and wellness programs

To learn more about open positions with Ag-Land FS, Inc., or our amazing benefits package, contact Ag-Land FS, Inc. Human Resources at [e-mail]!

We are an equal opportunity/Disabled/Protected Veteran Employer. All individuals, regardless of demographic or other background, are encouraged to apply. Further, as a federal, state, and local contractor, we comply with government regulations and executive orders as applicable, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with disability and protected veterans.

Employment is contingent on, among other things, receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.