Crop Specialist - West Central FS - Wataga, IL

FS System; Wataga (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully Funded Pension

401(k) & Employer Match

HSA & Employer Contributions

Life Insurance

Disability

Identity Protection

Job summary

West Central FS, Inc is seeking a driven sales professional to sell crops inputs and related services. You will travel within the Wataga, IL region to build brand awareness, foster customer relationships, and secure orders while executing marketing plans and using proven sales techniques.

The role emphasizes agronomic product knowledge, strong communication, and the ability to coordinate deliveries. A relevant associate’s degree and at least two years of experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires Associate’s Degree in agriculture, marketing, or business or equivalent.
• Requires strong planning, organizing, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding FS/GROWMARK agronomy products and programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducts territory and competitive analyses to stay current on the market and competition.
• Travels within the assigned territory to build brand awareness, strengthen customer relationships, and secure product and service orders.
• Implements target marketing plans and uses professional sales techniques to generate profitable sales and meet goals.
• Provides patrons and prospects with agronomic products, services, and recommendations.
• Coordinates product delivery and application schedules with the location manager.
• Supports customers through soil testing and crop scouting, and follows up on issues with resolutions.
• Promotes credit programs and handles quotes, terms, and sales contracts.

Skills

Territory analysis

Competitive analysis

Travel within territory

Sales techniques

Customer relationships

Credit programs

Product delivery coordination

Contact management system

Education

Associate’s degree in agriculture/marketing/business

Tools

Contact management system

Job description

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Company: West Central FS, Inc

City: Wataga

State: IL

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.

COMPENSATION: $60,000 - $70,000 annually

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.

BENEFITS

FS offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a variety of supplemental plans. To promote a healthy work-life balance, employees enjoy generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays. FS is dedicated to supporting the long-term financial well-being of our employees through a fully funded pension and a 401(k) plan with company matching to help you plan for retirement. Benefits eligibility may vary depending on position.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

Sells and markets the following products and services to new and existing customers: crops inputs, such as fertilizer, crop protection pesticides, seed products, service income, technical services, and Ag-finance program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Conducts territory and competitive analyses to stay current on the market and competition.
• Travels within the assigned territory to build brand awareness, strengthen customer relationships, and secure product and service orders.
• Implements target marketing plans and uses professional sales techniques, including the FS sales interview road map, cropping programs, appropriate features and benefits, and the contact management system, to generate profitable sales and meet goals established by supervisor.
• Provides patrons and prospects with value-added agronomic products, services, and recommendations.
• Coordinates product delivery and application schedules with the location manager.
• Supports customers through soil testing, crop scouting, and other programs; follows up on complaints; and seeks reasonable, mutually beneficial resolutions.
• Promotes credit programs as a sales tool and helps gather information required to verify customer creditworthiness. Quotes prices and credit terms and prepares sales contracts for orders. Collects payment for assigned product sales in accordance with company credit policy.
• Displays field signs on all customer fields to promote FS products.
• Maintains the assigned vehicle to company standards, follows the uniform policy, and presents a professional image.
• Follows applicable Code of Conduct, Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA, and DOT policies and procedures.
• Performs 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.
• Possess strong planning, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making, and skill development.
• Understanding of FS / GROWMARK agronomy products, services, and programs strongly preferred.
• Ability to use the computer and other required technology to enhance business processes.
• Must have and maintain the appropriate driver’s license and satisfactory driving record for the type of vehicle(s) that will be required to operate in order to perform all the duties assigned prior to employment. Daily independent travel may be required 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)
• Must possess or obtain a seller’s or solicitor’s license where required by law.
• Ability and willingness to work extended hours during peak seasons and as business conditions warrant.
• 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.

FS is 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.

SECURING YOUR FUTURE, ONE BENEFIT AT A TIME.

Our benefits packages aredesigned to support every aspect of our employees’ well-being—from health plans to life insurance, robust retirement plans, and more.We provide benefits that meet their needs today while also ensuring a secure future.

Offerings may include, but are not limited to:

UNITED STATES:

• Fully Funded Pension*
• 401(k) & Employer Match
• HSA & Employer Contributions
• Life Insurance
• Disability
• Identity Protection

*The pension plan is subject to individual company participation. Those who do not participate in the pension plan enjoy a higher 401(k) employer match.

**Some benefits are subject to the hiring company.

CANADA:

• RRSP
• Life Insurance
• Disability

*Benefit eligibility may be dependent on employment type

Nearest Major Market: Peoria
Nearest Secondary Market: Galesburg
Job Segment: Scientific, Electrical, Engineering