Field Sales Agronomist
DISCLAIMER
This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, position responsibilities, and required abilities and skills. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an individual in this position and nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the person holding this position at any time. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities expected to meet job standards.
Central Valley Ag - CVA is a member-owned farmers' cooperative headquartered in York, NE with locations throughout Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. Established in 2003, CVA has over 900 employees and is an innovative leader providing products and services in grain, agronomy, feed, and energy. You can find more information about Central Valley Ag by visiting www.cvacoop.com.
Responsibilities
QUALIFICATIONS
ªIntegrity and good judgment skills are required in order to handle the confidential nature of duties, tasks and information.
ªMust be proficient with the Internet, Email and Microsoft Office products.
ªExcellent interpersonal, planning and organization skills required.
ªGood speaking and writing skills required.
ªMust possess problem-solving skills.
ªMust have the ability to use good judgment and decision-making.
ªGeneral mathematics and accounting skills required.
ªExcellent negotiation and persuasion skills are required.
ªMust be able to travel 75% to 85% of the time.
ªAbility to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
ªAbility to read and interpret documents required.
ªMust have the ability to develop content for customer/patron and prospect correspondence.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
ªBachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Agronomy or Agriculture or equivalent combination of of education and experience required.
ªA minimum of 3 years’ experience in an agronomy sales role required.
ªProven history of delivery of results required.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
Validdriver’s license
TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY USED IN THIS POSITION
ªComputer
ªSoftware: AgTrax, Internet, Word, Excel, Email
CORE COMPETENCIES NEEDED FOR THIS POSITION
ªSafety – Maintains a work environment that is safe for everyone.
ªCustomer Focus – Actively looks for ways to help customers.
ªIntegrity – Adheres to moral and ethical principles.
ªTeamwork – Works well with othersto achieve a common goal.
ªFinancial Accountability – Takesresponsibility for the way money and resources are used and managed.
ªInnovation – Introduces new ideas, devices, or methods.
INDIVIDUAL COMPETENCIES NEEDED FOR THIS POSITION
ªPositive Outlook - Displays optimism at all times. Stays positive and remains upbeat. Notices and acknowledges things that are going well, especially during stressful times. Faces problems head on and will make productive changes to the outcome.
ªSales Account Management - Develops sales account plan by building account profile (vision, key strategies and objectives). Connects and navigates making key contacts. Completes sales opportunity analysis by identifying customer needs, challenges, buying criteria and decision-making process. Develops sales strategy, identifying challenges and resources. Develops sales tactics and sales plan. Builds proposal and presents to the customer.
ªProduct Knowledge - Has an excellent understanding of product lines that are offered by knowing their purpose, how the products work, how long they are likely to last, price, how it compares to similar products, how it compares to competitors’ products and strengths and limitations of the products and uses that knowledge to optimize sales with each customer.
ªRelationship Building -Develops contacts and relationships which are internal and external to the organization and facilitates work efforts or to gain support and cooperation from others. Understands the significance of networking. Shows an interest in what others have to say and acknowledges their perspectives and ideas. Has earned the respect of team members and customers.
ªResults Oriented - Balances and satisfies the needs of all employees, customers, and suppliers as well as those with a financial interest in the organization to achieve excellence. Is driven by the end result and wants to do more. Understands and demonstrates that intentions, activities, and results are not the same. Achieves meaningful results without having to be told what the desired results should be.
ªPersonal Accountability for Safety - Behaves in a way that demonstrates Safety as a top priority. Immediately informs a supervisor about any unsafe working conditions. Does not hesitate to address co-workers that engage in unsafe work habits. Leaves others with the dear impression that Safety is a core value of this organization.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR THIS POSITION
ªStanding
ªWalking
ªSitting
ªTalking
ªHearing
ªClimbing
ªAble to balance
ªStooping
ªKneeling
ªCrouching
ªCrawling
ªTasting
ªSmelling
ªUse of hands to finger, handle or feel
ªReach with hands and arms
ªMust be able to lift and/or move at least 50 pounds.
ªSpecific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met in order to perform this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Qualifications
SUMMARY
As a Field Sales Agronomist at Central Valley Ag, you will be responsible for cultivating and maintaining intimate customer relationships with our top 400 customer producers. Traditionally, our services have included: custom application, conventional soil sampling, zone sampling, seed treating, deliveries, variable rate technology and financing. Products available are: Anhydrous, liquid fertilizer, dry fertilizer, Pel lime/ Ag lime, Ag chemicals, seed and merchandise sprayer/parts.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Creates and develops intimate relationships with targeted and assigned customers focusing on top business and relationship accounts.
2. Works with patrons in a courteous and professional manner, soliciting new business as opportunities are presented.
3. Develops an intimate knowledge of Central Valley Ag brands and delivers timely and accurate communication to targeted producers to drive value
added sales.
4. Creates, delivers and implements agronomic solutions for producers with the goal of improving customer’s ROI and increasing the agronomy bottom
line.
5. Utilizes seed, precision farming technology, finance and other marketing tools to grow market share.
6. Manages customer accounts to include developing whole farm plans, forecasting agronomy inputs, price negotiations, technical coordination, contract preparations, contract closures, complaint resolution and contract collections.
7. Partners with and understands the functional roles of the other Central Valley Ag team members to improve the efficiency and profitability of Central Valley Ag.
8. Expands on current knowledge of agronomic products, trends, problems and challenges to make educated recommendations to producers.
9. Utilizes current marketing programs, products, services and resources to sell agronomy products in an ethical manner.
10. Provides timely and accurate communications, demand forecasts, customer complaints and sales reports and timely requests for competitive pricing, etc.
11. Establishes and maintains effective public relations through customer education and the promotion of new products and services.
12.Supports the Agronomy Superintendent and assists with agronomic recommendations as needed.
13. Responsible for consulting with producers and making appropriate recommendations of fertilizer, seed, chemical and GPS products and
services.
14. Responsible for maintaining a current customer base and developing new business.
15. Carries out and is responsible for the development of the agronomy marketing program for location.
16. Responsible for maintaining high customer satisfaction by handling complaints professionally.
17.Calls on prospective producers to build new business and to increase sales.
18.Facilities in the logistics of custom application equipment and product.
19.Works with supervisor to discuss promotions and/or problems in the field.
20.Keeps supervisor apprised of sales trends.
21. Provides weekly reports on inventory activity to management.
22.Assists in plant operations.
23.Assists with field scouting.
24. Assists other employees in attaining Central Valley Ag company goals.
25. Participates in and completes company-required training programs.
26. Participates in agronomy mentoring program.
27. Supports Central Valley Ag’s RD platform by working with the Agronomy Consultative Services Manager to participate in RD platform series events.
28.Ensures proper billing procedures.
29. Comply with current Central Valley Ag credit policies.
30.Maintains and promotes a safe work environment.
31.Other duties as assigned
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
No
Central Valley Ag
US