Crop Specialist - AgVantage FS - Ackley, IA

GROWMARK, Inc.; Ackley (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

GROWMARK, Inc. is seeking a motivated individual for agronomy sales in Ackley, Iowa. This role involves developing customer relationships through effective marketing of crop inputs and providing agronomic services. Candidates should have an Associate's Degree in agriculture or related field, with a minimum of two years' experience. Ability to work in various weather conditions and lift up to 75 lbs. The position requires maintaining professional certifications and involves independent travel within a trade area.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate's Degree in agriculture, marketing, or business.
• 2 years of related work experience demonstrating knowledge of production agriculture.
• Ability to maintain professional certifications (CCA, CCS, CPAg).

Responsibilities

• Develops customers through effective marketing of products and services.
• Implements marketing plans and sales strategies.
• Provides value-added agronomic products and services.

Skills

Knowledge of production agriculture

Professional sales techniques

Customer service skills

Ability to maintain driver's license

Education

Associate's Degree in agriculture, marketing, or business

Tools

Soil testing equipment

Crop scouting tools

Job description

AgVantage FS is headquartered in Waverly, Iowa with branches in Northern and Eastern Iowa. AgVantage FS has about 400 employees (including seasonal workers) and approximately 23,000 customers. The cooperative does business in agronomy, energy, precision agronomy, and agri-finance. AgVantage FS is part of the GROWMARK System, an agricultural cooperative serving more than 100,000 customers across North America and Ontario, Canada.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

Assumes responsibility for developing customers through effective marketing of the following products and services: crops inputs, such as fertilizer, crop protection pesticides, seed products, service income, technical services, and ag-finance program to maximize profitable sales.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Implements marketing plans and develops sales strategies that generate profitable sales in the assigned territory.

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 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 patrons and prospects. Schedules product delivery and application to patron locations. Conducts regular patron meetings on product and technical information.

Provides customer service by using soil testing, crop scouting and other programs, follows up on 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.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Responsible for maintaining the assigned vehicle according to company standards, adheres to the uniform policy, and maintains the appropriate professional image.

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.

Collects for sales of all assigned products according to company credit policy.

Attains and maintains technical and sales skills to certification standards.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Normally requires a minimum of an Associate's Degree in agriculture, marketing, or business, or the equivalent thereof, and 2 years or more of related work experience to demonstrate knowledge of production agriculture.

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)

Ability and willingness to work extended hours during peak seasons.

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.

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.