Logistics Specialist

Rijk Zwaan U S A Inc; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rijk Zwaan USA is seeking a Logistics Specialist - Sales Support in Salinas, CA to connect planning, supply, sales and customer service, ensuring our seed products move efficiently while maintaining exceptional service levels.

You will coordinate demand forecasting, pricing, order processing, and shipping documentation, working with Crop Specialists, dealers, customers, and the Netherlands supply team to improve delivery accuracy.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong technical, analytical and numerical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel; advanced Excel skills preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Power BI, and Qlik Sense is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Crop Specialists to support demand forecasting, sales planning, and inventory management.
• Coordinate seed supply with the Netherlands Supply Team to ensure product availability and timely delivery.
• Provide pricing, order processing, and sales support to internal teams, dealers, and customers.
• Serve as a key resource for logistics operations, ensuring continuity of service and efficient order fulfilment.
• Proactively troubleshoot supply chain, order, quality, and logistics challenges to deliver effective solutions.
• Build strong partnerships with colleagues in the United States and the Netherlands, supporting collaboration across departments and time zones.

Skills

Customer service orientation

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Microsoft Excel

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Degree or diploma in Business Administration, Ag Business, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Logistics, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Qlik Sense

Microsoft Teams

Outlook

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Logistics Specialist

Full Time California, Salinas, CA, US

Salary Range: $60,000.00 To $90,000.00 Annually

Do you want to make an impact in a Global Agricultural Business? At Rijk Zwaan USA, you'll play an important role in connecting planning, supply, sales, and customer service to ensure our customers receive the high-quality seed products they need. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys customer service, problem-solving, building relationships, working with international teams, and making a direct impact on business success.

As a Logistics Specialist - Sales Support, you will be a key link between our U.S. and Netherlands teams, helping to coordinate supply planning, forecasting, logistics, and customer support activities. You'll work closely with Crop Specialists, dealers, customers, and supply chain partners to ensure products move efficiently from planning to delivery while maintaining exceptional service levels.

What You'll Do

• Partner with Crop Specialists to support demand forecasting, sales planning, and inventory management.
• Coordinate seed supply with the Rijk Zwaan Netherlands Supply Team to ensure product availability and timely delivery.
• Provide pricing, order processing, and sales support to internal teams, dealers, and customers.
• Serve as a key resource for logistics operations, ensuring continuity of service and efficient order fulfilment.
• Proactively troubleshoot supply chain, order, quality, and logistics challenges to deliver effective solutions.
• Build strong partnerships with colleagues in the United States and the Netherlands, supporting collaboration across departments and time zones.
• Analyse data and generate reports that support informed business decisions.
• Contribute to process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Sales Planning & Forecasting (Assigned Crops)

• Partner with Crop Specialists to develop, support, monitor, and maintain sales plans and demand forecasts.
• Confirm seed requirements and coordinate supply from Rijk Zwaan Netherlands and external U.S. processing partners.
• Support dealers with forecasting, product availability inquiries, and quality-related information.
• Serve as a key communication link between Rijk Zwaan USA and Rijk Zwaan Netherlands regarding product supply, logistics coordination, quality requirements, and customer needs.
• Verify product quality with the Netherlands Supply Team and ensure seed quality meets U.S. requirements for order fulfilment, sales planning, and customer expectations.
• Provide pricing support and maintain accurate pricing information.
• Assist sales teams and customers with product, availability, and order-related inquiries.
• Support dealer booking programs and related planning activities for assigned crops.

Reporting & Business Analysis

• Generate operational, sales support, and logistics reports.
• Analyse information to support decision-making, planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Logistics & Order Management

• Process customer orders received via phone, email, web shop, and other channels.
• Enter shipping information, prepare invoices, and coordinate delivery confirmations.
• Organise and maintain required documentation for assigned crops, including quality certificates, health certificates, germination reports, and other regulatory documentation.
• Support all logistics activities for assigned primary and backup crops.
• Provide exceptional customer service while proactively resolving supply, shipment, order, and collection issues.

Cross-Functional Support

• Provide backup support for external processing and logistics activities as needed.
• Participate in special projects and cross-functional initiatives supporting the Rijk Zwaan Netherlands Supply Team and USA leadership team.
• Support continuous improvement efforts that enhance service, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

What You'll Bring

Education & Experience

• Degree or diploma in Business Administration, Ag Business, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Relevant experience in customer service, logistics, supply chain, sales support, or operations is a plus.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong technical, analytical and numerical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel; advanced Excel skills preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Power BI, and Qlik Sense is a plus.
• Strong computer skills and the ability to learn new systems and software quickly.
• Ability to organise, prioritise, and manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, and dependability.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Personal Attributes

• A collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a willingness to support colleagues across functions.
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and solving challenges.
• Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic business environment.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excitement about building relationships with colleagues, customers, dealers, and international partners.
• A commitment to continuous learning and process improvement.
• Be part of a globally recognised, family-owned vegetable breeding company.
• Work with talented colleagues and industry experts around the world.
• Join a culture that values teamwork, long-term relationships, entrepreneurship, and continuous development.
• Build a meaningful career in an organisation committed to caring for our employees, innovation, and sustainable growth.

What can you expect from us?

Besides an enjoyable job involving contact with colleagues from various different departments and countries, we can offer you:

• Various training courses through our very own Rijk Zwaan Academy
• The freedom to take initiative and work on your own development
• A team-oriented working atmosphere
• Good work and life balance

Health, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, Employer Funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), Family Fitness Benefit, and exceptional 401k Matching Program.

Our human resources department will consider your application carefully, which may take some time. You will hear from us as soon as possible. An assessment survey will be part of the procedure.

Rijk Zwaan USA starting base salary ranges are determined by location, role, and level and reflect a minimum and maximum target for new hires for this position across all of our US locations. Within the base salary range, an employee's pay is determined by work location and other factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter or hiring manager can share more about the specific salary range for the position and required work location(s) during the hiring process.