Product & Sales Support Specialist - East Region Graduate Program

Your role on our team:

The CLAAS North America International Graduate Sales Trainee Program is a 24-month field based professional development program within our CLAAS of America (CoA) business operations. Participants will combine practical work experience with specialized development opportunities in North America (NA) and abroad, including 3 months in Germany and 3 months in France. Program participants will become familiar with CLAAS products, sales processes, dealer networks, customer operations, headquarter functions, and international business practices. Concurrently, participants will learn to perform duties essential to the assigned Sales and Product Management functions such as assisting with the coordination and implementation of sales programs, product demonstrations, providing feedback, making proposals, and leading the implementation of corrective action to achieve targeted sales goals for NA. Successful completion of the North America International Graduate Sales Trainee Program is preparedness for a professional role within the CLAAS NA Sales organization.

• Partners with Region Sales Team to learn all aspects of machinery whole selling from prospecting to deal closure in coordination with assigned dealer partners and CoA; promotes the utilization and proper documentation of all steps in the sales process in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool (salesforce) in order to monitor and achieve target sales goals.
• Utilizes available data sources for generating customer intelligence; supports dealer partner in prospecting phase and communicates information with dealer and internal sales organization.
• Partners with Region Team to determine engagement with selected dealer partners to achieve Region goals through new customer acquisition and retaining existing customers.
• Supports and participates in scheduling activities such as, but not limited to, dealer calls, demonstrations, customer visits, farm shows, and participates in open houses and training sessions in coordination with the Region Team, etc.
• Partners with Region Sales Team to develop, monitor, and execute territory management plans including timely and accurate submission retail forecasts, by dealer, in alignment with overall CLAAS strategies.
• Supports and participates with Region Team in dealer inventory asset management by performing regular accurate and timely inventory audits and open order checks against CoA Retail Plan.
• Collaboratively works with the Region Team to set sales goals with dealer partners per product category to fulfill CoA Retail Plan.
• Supports dealer partner in closing deals through the assessment of customer financing needs, presentation of value calculator, and will act as a liaison between dealer partners and CLAAS Financial Services (CFS); supports in presenting price and financing options to end customer.

Note: The position includes up to 75% travel, with some weekend travel, meetings and/or work periodically required; valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving history & passport is required.

Your profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Ag Business, Marketing, Ag Engineering or closely related field required.
• 0-2 years’ related work experience, preferred, not required.
• Sales experience at capital goods dealership level or experience in sales, marketing or distribution development capacity with capital goods manufacturers, a plus.
• Experience or knowledge of capital goods sales through 3rd party distribution channel background, a plus.
• Excellent negotiation skills. Experience or training in B:C and B:B situations, a plus.
• Proven effective problem-solving skills with the ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Highly proven interpersonal skills.
• Independent and self-motivated, with a high degree of ambition.
• Proficient computer use including Outlook, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint & Excel with ability to learn salesforce and other programs as needed.
• Experienced in operating agricultural equipment and precision farming systems, required.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.

Full-time Benefits Package Include:

• Premium free health, vision, short-term disability, and long-term disability;
• Competitive rate dental plans;
• Competitive paid time off;
• 401(k) with a generous company match;
• Retirement Readiness Program;
• Company-Paid Life Insurance;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Dependent Care Resources Program;
• Tuition Reimbursement;
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health;
• Wellness Programs including weight loss, diabetes management, and high blood pressure management;
• Legal & Financial Services;
• Fun & Safe Environment