Plant Performance Product Senior Manager - GROWMARK, Inc. - Remote (IL / WI)

Plant Performance Product Senior Manager - GROWMARK, Inc. - Remote (IL / WI)

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.

Purpose and Summary Statement

Responsible for development, leadership, and sales of the GROWMARK Plant Performance product lines. Assists supply managers in product procurement and managing inventories to maximize the earnings of the plant performance product department in a manner that meets customer's needs and minimizes inventory investment. This position will work closely with key GROWMARK / FS member locations, GROWMARK Agronomy Sales and Marketing Managers, Crop Protection Area Sales Managers, Field Staff Agronomists, and the specific vendors focused on growing the biological and proprietary business.

Essential Job Functions

Increase sales, portfolio awareness and technical support for GROWMARK Plant Performance Products. Assists in the development and implements marketing materials and product guides that result in achievement of annual and long-term sales and gross margin projections. Serve as a product ambassador who drives product adoption through the sales process backed with technical skills and service. Placing, managing and taking observations of side by side trials of key products that align with the strategic direction of the Plant Performance area. Submit observation and yield data to aid in summaries and marketing materials. Collaborate with GROWMARK MiField personnel to collect and report product findings. Serve as the lead in the development and servicing of key member locations with demonstration projects in collaboration with Crop Protection Area Sales Managers, Field Sales Agronomists to achieve goals and objectives. Propose and develop programs in support of current and future sales efforts. Responsible for developing and maintaining protocols for State and Federal registrations for product line in the approved states including private label offerings. Leads and initiates sales calls with FS Members while building relationships to assist FS Members and targeted customers promote plant performance product portfolio and position statements. Collaborates on the development of the seed treatment product line currently being used at our Member Companies, Retail Divisions, and dealers. Establish a strong working relationship with vendors to help capitalize on opportunities of supply needs, and understanding of new products coming to market. Charging vendors with understanding their financial programs to be another resource to our members to make sure they maximize their profitability and highlight the benefits of patronage and doing business with GROWMARK. Provide recommendations on application to minimize issues for the treating facility and their growers. Work with GROWMARK Field Staff, FS Companies on forecasting, inventory management and product life cycle analysis. Understands and aids in carbon market programs communications and implementation with FS companies. Create and effectively explain Return On Investment calculations for Plant Performance products and Carbon market programs.

Other Job Functions

Responsible for identifying competitive threats, market opportunities, negotiate product costs with specialty product manager, and generate gross income within the guidelines established by management. Responsible for assisting customers with product selection and maintaining a general technical knowledge of product lines. Assists in and attends supplier meetings, approved trade shows, technology updates on the market with other department personnel. Assists in the development and updating of product catalogs and handbooks for distribution to FS Members and customers. Collaborates with crop protection marketing manager to determine needed marketing programs and sales emphasis for specialty products. Participates in meetings with member cooperatives, suppliers, and Agronomy meetings as required. Prepares monthly sales status and activity reports. Follows GROWMARK's Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Normally requires a college degree in business, marketing, or the equivalent thereof, and 8 or more years of marketing leadership experience (preferably in the Crop Protection Industry) to demonstrate the ability to develop, implement, and execute strategic marketing plans, budgets, and communications. Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record. Must have the ability to travel independently and overnight as needed. Ability to acquire and maintain a United States Passport. Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK's policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position.