The District Sales Manager – (Seed) is the key contact point and relationship manager of assigned and potential accounts to influence the purchasing decision makers to choose WinField United and vended Seed products, to deliver all pricing, programs and reconciliations. This position will be also responsible for the training and coaching of retail sales people at aligned accounts to sell WinField United branded and partner branded Seed products to growers. Special emphasis will be placed on selling all Seed brands and building an equitable position through the Ag retailer to the grower. The DSM is also expected to demonstrate and effectively use all associated grower facing tools. Work together within a team to sell the entire portfolio of WinField United Seed and to effectively grow the seeds business through aligned accounts.
This position will service the a geography within the Pacific Northwest.
% of Total Job / Duty or Area of Responsibility
50% Sales Generation
Manage and grow the entire seed business through defined plan and consistent communication with assigned accounts.
Accountable for the development and execution of detailed farmer by farmer plans with aligned retailers.
Responsible for the sales of Seed products through wholesale programs and pricing delivery with emphasis on CROPLAN and partnered Seed products including all functions associated to product order, invoicing, delivery, and reconciliation.
Coach and train sellers in Seed sales and technology solutions by assisting sellers in making farm calls on producers in their trade areas. In addition, ensure retail sellers are fluent in utilizing our Ag Technology Tools including R7 to become the trusted advisor.
Effectively demonstrate usage of and support with dealer/retailer the R7 tool (Current /Future applications) and other technology grower facing offers through WinField United and its channel partners.
Fluent in Account reporting metrics, analysis and programs including: GPOS, AgriMine, Catalyst and grower pack qualifications, Power BI, Salesforce.com, Concur expense reporting system · Responsible for Key Performance Indicators:Sales and growth targets, Gross margin, Strategic imperatives
20% Strategy Execution
Work in a cross-functional team environment including field sales, Agronomy, Ag Tech and Key Account Manager (KAM) to drive growth in our total seed business and complementing inputs. Specific detail must be directed toward maintaining on-going coordination and open communication with the Regional team.
With input from sales and agronomy team, has responsibility for Seed Products forecasting.
Work with KAM in execution of Customer Business Plans and measuring progress against stated objectives for the Seed business with owners/customers.
Training the technical side of the Seed business through effective delivery of Partnered and Proprietary brand strategies and effective implementation by leading & conducting Answer Plot sessions, post-harvest meetings, grower meetings, one-on-one farm calling, etc.
Responsible for the effective utilization of Winfield United resources designed to support and grow the Seed business such as Answer Plots, R7, and all other grower facing tools.
Attend Regional/Team Meetings as scheduled.
20% Owner/Customer Relations
Focal point for customer relationships and key account ownership for the seed business.
Demonstrate, communicate and leverage the total WinField United value proposition to our owner/customer including patronage, programs, pricing and supporting resources. “Value Matrix”
10% Channels
Serve as the centers of influence with channel partners.
Manage relationships with strategic partners including the Ag retail manager, Syngenta, BASF, Bayer & Mycogen seed partners.
Job Scope:
May occasionally be asked to supervise a WinField United Intern or Associate
Manage assigned sales expense budget
Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Business-related field plus 3-5 years of industry or direct sales experience; or, an equivalent of 7-9 years of successful work experience in industry or direct sales experience.
Must have basic computer software understanding for accurate data entry and reporting.
Experience with using Microsoft suite of products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), in addition to virtual tools such as Teams and ZOOM.
Prioritizes and plans work activities efficiently; aligns work with strategic goals; follows policies and procedures and management direction; completes administrative tasks correctly and in a timely manner; contributes to building and interacting within a team environment in a positive, can-do attitude; upholds organizational values and meets productivity standards.
Capable to work independently and takes responsibility for own actions.
Treats others with respect and consideration; works with integrity and ethically; adapts to changes in the work environment; must be willing and able to work long or irregular hours during peak seasons (including weekends, if necessary)
Able to deal with people in a professional manner; manages difficult customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs for service and assistance; identifies and resolves problems in an effective and timely manner; works well in group problem solving situations; able to deal with frequent delays or unexpected events; meets commitments.
Strong and effective communication, organizational and presentation skills are essential.
Strong understanding of agriculture industry and business markets.
Able to grow business by positioning full line of products and services with aligned owners/customers to increase profitability.
Able to grow WinField United Seed business, both partnered and CROPLAN with key owners/customers.
Responsible for knowing Seed product margins and maximizing profitability for aligned accounts
Able to develop, educate and coach Retail Sellers on WinField United products to enable them to sell to large growers.
Must have current and valid state drivers license in order to operate company leased vehicle
Travel:
Requires regular travel (up to 50%), including nights and some weekends
Arden Hills, MN
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is a member-owned agricultural cooperative based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of Arden Hills, Minnesota, focusing on the dairy industry. The cooperative has 1,959 direct producer-members, 751 member-cooperatives, and about 10,000 employees who process and distribute products for about 300,000 agricultural producers; handling 12 billion pounds of milk annually. It is ranked third on the National Cooperative Bank Co-op 100 list of mutuals and cooperatives.
The co-op is one of the largest producers of butter and cheese in the United States through its dairy foods business; serves producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers through its Purina Animal Nutrition business; and delivers seed, crop protection products, agricultural services and agronomic insights to 1,300 locally owned and operated cooperative and independent agricultural retailers and their grower customers through its WinField United business.