Crop Specialist - West Central FS - Wataga, IL

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

PTO and paid holidays

401(k) with company matching

Fully funded pension

Job summary

WEST CENTRAL FS INC. is seeking an Agriculture Sales Specialist to drive territory growth in the local region.

The role involves selling crops inputs such as fertilizer, crop protection products, seed, and finance programs, while building strong customer relationships and delivering agronomic recommendations. The position requires an Associate’s Degree in agriculture/marketing/business and 2+ years of sales or agronomy experience, with strong planning and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in agriculture, marketing, or business or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of related sales or agronomy experience.
• Strong planning, organization, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct territory and competitive analyses to stay current.
• Travel within the territory to build brand awareness and secure product orders.
• Implement target marketing plans and use the FS sales interview road map and pricing approach.
• Provide patrons with agronomic recommendations and value-added services.
• Coordinate product delivery and application schedules with the location manager.
• Support customers through soil testing and crop scouting; follow up on issues.
• Promote credit programs and prepare sales contracts; collect payments.
• Maintain vehicle and present a professional image; adhere to safety policies.

Skills

Territory analysis

Sales & negotiations

Customer relationship management

Communication

Planning & organization

Problem solving

Education

Associate’s Degree in agriculture, marketing, or business

Tools

Contact management system

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.

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.

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