CROP ADVISOR

Summary: It is the primary responsibility of this role to apply fundamental sales techniques while utilizing product, customer, company and industry knowledge applicable to improving customer consultation and sales. This role will provide crop consulting and account management. Typical duties include carrying out retail sales at the producer level, representing the cooperative while calling on current and prospective customers, preparing proposals and customer presentations, studying market and industry trends, seeking opportunities to serve customers and building positive customer relationships. For this role to be successful, it is crucial the advisor facilitates collaborative communication and teamwork at all times.
Primary Functions:
Crop Consulting, Account Management and Value Creation

• Prospect, build and maintain positive working relationships with current and potential customers
• Assist customers with annual business plan development
• Make sound service recommendations to customers to improve their operation while understanding the value proposition (seed, fertilizer, crop protection, precision products and services)
• Develop regular sales call strategies with both current accounts and potential prospects
• Build relationships with key decision makers and act as liaison and single point of contact
• Represent yourself as a subject matter expert and problem solver to provide value added solution
• Create and implement customer retention and development strategies
• Achieve profitability goals and increase market share through regular sales efforts.
• Submit account plans and progress reports regularly to mgmt.
• Use all resources necessary to cross sell the cooperative services
• Actively promote and participate in the annual Answer Plot events
• Continually gather and monitor information on competition and local markets

• Identify and attend appropriate training and continuing education seminars
• Possess and maintain knowledge of agronomy related products, programs and ag industry

Customer Solutions and Support

• Keep an open line of communication with the agronomy team for optimum customer service
• Provide superior service to all customers and resolve customer complaints quickly and appropriately
• Project a positive attitude and image to customers, business partners and employees at all times
• Follow up on all items sold to ensure timely delivery and service
• Introduce new products, programs and services to current and potential customers
• Assist with answering incoming sales calls
• Proactively manage accounts receivables in accordance with our credit policy

Safety

• Ensure safety is the top priority at all times
• Model and teach safe behavior while enforcing all safety policies
• Inform all customers of safe product handling.
• Attends safety related job trainings provided by the cooperative.
• Operate equipment and vehicles in a responsible and safe manner

Other

• Demonstrate a commitment to doing whats right, a solid work ethic, a strong sense of ownership, a passion for agriculture, and genuine respect for others
• Attend continuing education opportunities
• Observe and enforce all company policies
• Provide back up for other Crop Advisors and operational staff as needed
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent, effective communication skills including oral, written and presentation form
• Ability to remain flexible in a rapidly changing environment
• Strong teamwork, listening and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact effectively at all levels within an organization
• Assertive, approachable, tactful and possesses an ability to build strong business relationships
• Customer service oriented with ability to problem solve and manage difficult customer situations
• Resourceful, self-starter who works well with minimal supervision
• Good independent, ethical, decision-making ability
• Excellent organizational skills including detail oriented, multi-tasking, planning, and prioritizing
• Results-oriented, accurate and thorough with a commitment to accountability
• Understands and actively works with basic business concepts (budgets, profit margins and revenue)
• Strong technical competency with an interest in staying current on leading edge precision technology;
• Excellent computer skills with the ability to learn other key operational computer programs

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• Comply with Centra Sotas driver qualifications requirements
• Comply with Centra Sotas Drug and Alcohol Policy
• CCA certification preferred (if not current, working to obtain)

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in agriculture or closely related field.
• Minimum 2yrs related experience demonstrating the ability to do the job.
• Proven, progressive track record in sales.
• Demonstrated experience understanding customers unique problems and determining the best fit for their needs

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time, use hands or fingers to reach or handle, to talk or hear and regularly operate a computer and cell phone. The employee is often required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. All vision abilities are required to encompass close-up and distant work. Must be able to tolerate and endure extended seasonal hours and maintain alertness to meet deadlines. Must be able to operate a vehicle to travel to customer sites and other locations on a frequent basis.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to machinery and moving parts, airborne particles including grain dust and hazardous materials or fumes, which will require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The employee is exposed to adverse weather conditions, high, precarious places and confined spaces. The noise level in some of the work environments may require the use of hearing protection. While performing the duties of this job inside the office, the employee is frequently exposed to normal working conditions for an office environment with a noise level that is usually low to moderate.

Disclaimer: This job description is not a complete description of responsibility, but reflects the general qualifications, duties, and/or responsibilities necessary to perform this position. Centra Sota Cooperative reserves the right to revise the job description as circumstances warrant.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary : $39,400 - $49,800