Crops Associate - Stephenson Service Company - Lena, IL

FS; Lena (IL); On-site; USD 53,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

FS in Illinois seeks a Crops Associate to grow customer bases through marketing of crop inputs, seed products, service income, and agronomy programs to maximize profitable sales.

You will assist crop specialists, conduct soil sampling and crop scouting, and help implement seed sales strategies. The role requires a Bachelor’s in agriculture or business (or 1–2 years related experience), a CDL-valid license, IDOA/ applicator licenses, travel, and flexibility for extended hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in agriculture or business or 1-2 years related experience.
• Ability to respond to inquiries from customers or the business community.
• Ability to calculate figures such as units, percentages, and discounts.
• Must maintain a valid Driver’s License with CDL endorsement as needed.
• Must hold Illinois licenses (IDOA) and applicators license as required.
• Must be willing to travel daily within the trade area and occasionally overnight.
• Must obtain and maintain relevant agronomy certifications (CCA/CCS/CPAg).
• Ability to work extended hours during peak seasons.

Responsibilities

• Assists Crop Specialists in day-to-day duties.
• Performs soil sampling and crop scouting and documents reports.
• Supports seed sales strategies to generate profits.
• Implements innovative sales programs and pricing.
• Attends customer meetings, trade shows, and sales meetings.
• Assists with seed sorting, treatment, and delivery operations.
• Develops whole farm proposals with seed products and recommendations.
• Resolves customer problems and complaints promptly.
• Monitors agronomic conditions and provides improvement recommendations.
• Maintains accurate records of sales and prospecting activities.
• Keeps knowledge of product applications and market trends up to date.
• Quotes prices, prepares contracts, promotes credit programs, and handles credit information.
• Works with MS Office and proprietary software to improve processes.

Skills

Customer service

Sales skills

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in agriculture or business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Proprietary software

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.

CROPS ASSOCIATE

Job Time: Full Time

Salary Range: $53,000 - $60,000/ year based on experience.

This role as potential commission incentives.

Summary

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

Essential Job Functions

• Assisting Crop Specialists in day-to-day duties.
• Completes necessary services such as soil sampling and crop scouting and completes reports reflecting analysis.
• Provides assistance with and implements seed sales strategies that generate profitable sales.
• Implements innovative sales programs and pricing strategies.
• Participates in selected sales activities, i.e., customer meetings, trade shows, and sales meeting to keep abreast of sales trends and sales environment.
• Assists with seed sorting, treatment and delivery operations to ensure timely distribution.
• Creates and manages a whole farm proposal by providing value-added seed products, services, and recommendations on a frequent basis.
• Expedites the resolution of customer problems and complaints.
• Scouts crops to ensure they meet the appropriate agronomic conditions and makes proper recommendations regarding ways to improve and increase customer satisfaction.
• Maintains accurate records of all sales and prospecting activities.
• Maintains a current knowledge of product applications, technical services, market conditions, competitive activities, advertising, and promotional trends.
• Completes and maintains a competitive analysis for all key competitors.
• Identifies progressive customers and coordinates the sharing of these lists with energy, agronomy, and grain sales representatives.
• Quotes prices, 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.
• Ensures the creditworthiness 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.
• Works with Microsoft Office products and other proprietary software to enhance business processes and maximize efficiency.

Other Job Functions

• Maintains industry and university contacts to keep informed on developing trends and product introductions in assigned product areas.
• Creates and participates in presentations during customer meetings and trade shows as required.
• Responsible for maintaining the assigned vehicle according to company standards.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year College or university in agriculture or business; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as units of measure, percentages, and discounts.
• Ability to define problems collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Must maintain a current valid Driver’s License that includes a CDL endorsement with appropriate classifications needed to perform duties assigned.
• Must maintain a current Illinois Department of Agriculture issued; Illinois Operators License and a current Illinois Applicators License as required by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
• Daily independent travel within the trade area with occasional overnight 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.
• Must be able to lift 50-75 lbs.

We are dedicated to supporting the long-term financial well-being of our employees through a fully funded pension, a cornerstone benefit that ensures security for the future. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a variety of supplemental plans like accident, critical illness, disability, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection. To promote a healthy work-life balance, employees enjoy generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays, giving you time to recharge and focus on what matters most. Additionally, our 401(k) plan with company matching helps you plan for retirement, while our free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports your overall well-being. Whether you're starting your career, balancing family life, or planning for retirement, our company is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that meets your needs at every stage. Benefits eligibility may vary depending on the position.

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.

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.