The ideal Calf & Heifer Technical Sales Specialist candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to calf health and the effective delivery of the Land O’Lakes/Purina young animal program. Calf and Heifer Sales Specialists are responsible for executing a strategic sales plan within their assigned territory, with accountability for both sales’ growth and market share expansion. This role focuses on delivering a solutions-based portfolio across key customer segments, including dealers, dairies, and commercial calf ranches.
Key responsibilities include collaborating with internal partners to address business priorities, driving demand for value-added Purina products within the dairy segment, and planning and executing feeding demonstrations and trials to generate proof of performance. The role also involves active participation in producer meetings and support of sales and marketing growth initiatives.
Approximately 85% of time will be dedicated to demand creation and sales activities. Specialists will work closely with cooperative and dealer sales teams to provide on-farm technical support, troubleshooting, and training. The position requires ownership of key external relationships, including veterinarians, nutritionists, and participation in relevant industry events.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including effective sales presentations.
Ability to analyze sales data and customer information to support decision-making.
Strong organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple accounts and priorities.
Ability to develop plans and goals to accomplish tasks efficiently and effectively.
General management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Solid understanding of animal husbandry, management practices, and nutritional guidelines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and virtual collaboration tools.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in animal science or a related field or equivalent work experience
6 or more years of relevant ag sales and/or animal nutrition experience
Ability to travel overnight approximately 25–40%.
Dairy sales preferred
Bi-lingual in Spanish preferred
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.