What are the responsibilities and job description for the Seed Advisor position at Beck's Superior Hybrids?
We're leaders. Innovators. Perfectionists. Constantly improving our products and practices, with our customers always at the forefront of everything we do. We’re the largest family-owned, retail seed company in the country and we’re looking for qualified leaders like you to help us grow. When you join Beck’s, you join a family. And it’s what we do together that sets us apart.
Are you a natural leader who’s passionate about helping farmers? Are you a master at building lasting relationships and understanding customer needs like no other? Do you thrive in creating meaningful connections and driving sales success through impeccable understanding of client requirements? If so, we want you on our team! This position is responsible for driving sales growth in a specified area of focus through general customer accounts and dealer recruitment efforts, dealer development and dealer management. Additionally, this position is expected to promote and support the company vision, policies, programs and products by setting clear expectations and coaching the dealer team to meet such expectations. This position is authorized to perform the steps necessary to ensure that its responsibilities are met.
We are looking for Agriculture Sales Professionals located within our North East Illinois marketing territory, specifically in DeKalb, Boone, & McHenry counties.
As a member of the Beck’s Family of employees, all full-time employees are eligible for a generous benefits package:
- Health benefits including two medical plan options and company HSA contributions, dental, vision, employer paid life/AD&D for you and your dependents, disability insurance, and access to an onsite Nurse Practitioner
- 401k plan match & company sponsored pension plan and access to a Financial Advisor to help you manage your retirement savings
- Paid time off, Paid Holidays, Wellness Programs, & Corporate Discounts
- Company Christmas Party, Two-hundred dollar Merchandise Allowance, & Much More
Responsibilities:
- Set clear expectations:
- Communicate regularly with assigned dealers and general customers
- Define expectations and responsibilities for dealers
- Hold dealers accountable for meeting or exceeding expectations and responsibilities
- Provide feedback to Area Team Leader
- Dealer recruitment:
- Identify areas that do not have adequate dealer representation
- Identify, recruit and hire quality dealers
- Dealer development and dealer management:
- Listen and ask questions of assigned dealers and their customers
- Stay positive
- Encourage collaboration and teamwork across the dealer network
- Develop strategic plans and goals for assigned dealers
- To retain and grow sales and build customer relationships
- To develop personally via continuing education and training
- Deliver tough messages to dealers when needed
- Reward performance and teamwork
- Ensure the dealer network within the specific area is healthy and productive
- Work closely with appropriate team members to coordinate aspects of individual dealerships to include, but not limited to, licensing, collection of accounts, troubleshooting calls, orders, inventory and distribution
- Perform other related duties as may be required by the Area Team Leader, Regional Business Manager or the Director of Sales and Marketing
Requirements:
1. Education and Training:
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy, Ag Economics, Marketing, Sales or five (5) years sales experience or demonstrated seed sales success
- CCA preferred
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and insurable driving record as determined by Beck’s automobile policy
- This is a safety-sensitive position.
2. Technical knowledge:
- Proficiency with relevant computer and software skills
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
- Proven sales, negotiation and management skills
- Ability to identify and resolve agronomic challenges
- Chauffeur License or equivalent is required
3. Physical demands:
- Ability to pass DOT physical and obtain Medical Examiner’s Certificate may be required
- Must be able to lift up to 70 pounds unassisted
4. Experience:
- Prior experience in management preferred
- Demonstrated leadership and vision in managing staff groups and major projects or initiatives
- Five years sales and agronomic experience
** In an effort to provide a safer, drug-free workplace for employees, all full-time applicants to whom offers of employment are made must submit to a drug test and background check, subject to applicable local, state, or federal laws or regulations. Employment at Beck's is contingent upon passing these pre-employment screenings.