Agronomy Account Manager
Purpose and Summary Statement
Under the direction of the General / Sales Manager, the Agronomy Account Manager performs a consultative sales and service function to the area crop producers including agronomic solutions, sales, crop scouting, and product logistics to achieve maximum sales profitability and growth, within an assigned territory. This position requires the ability and desire for the attainment of CCA and CCS designations in a reasonable period of time.
Essential Job Functions
Develops and implements clear and effective written marketing plans and sales strategies that generate profitable sales to existing and prospective customers in the assigned territory.
Utilizes target marketing and professional sales techniques, prepares written proposals/quotations when calling on regular and prospective growers based on prospective customer lists from NWC sales history, producer organizations, and other sources.
Creates and manages a customer value plan by providing value-added agronomic products, services, and recommendations on a frequent basis. This includes demonstrating products and services to assist them in selecting those best suited to their needs.
Maintains regular contact with customers to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction, and expedites the resolution of customer problems and complaints, by seeking a reasonable “win/win” solution.
Represents NWC at meetings, providing information, communications and general leadership at local events.
Scouts crops on a frequent basis to ensure they meet the appropriate agronomic conditions and makes proper recommendations regarding ways to improve and increase customer satisfaction; Collects soil samples using proper procedures and records soil sample information for proper identification and analysis.
Maintains accurate area records and reports, records of all sales and prospecting activities including sales calls, presentations, closed sales, and follow-up activities within their assigned territory, in order to develop a competitive analysis and to maximize territory potential.
Maintains a current knowledge of product applications, technical services, market conditions, competitive activities, advertising, and promotional trends through the reading of pertinent literature and consulting with marketing and technical service areas.
Ensures NWC field signs are displayed on customers’ fields to promote NWC products.
Uses “Focus 5 and Target 15” lists to identify progressive customers and to coordinate the sharing of these lists between energy, agronomy, and feed sales representatives.
Quotes prices, and prepares sales contracts for orders obtained and promotes the use of credit programs as a sales tool and helps provide the required information to establish credit.
Assists Branch locations with various duties including inventory counts and inventory management.
Adheres to all NWC policies, procedures, and business ethics codes in all areas, e.g.: safety, credit, proper management of assets, pricing, uniforms, etc.
Ensures that all customer orders, invoices, bills of lading and vendor bills of lading are complete, accurately, extended and returned to the office for processing as soon as possible.
Maintains proper personal image and care of company assets, including maintenance and appearance of assigned company vehicle.
Working as part of the NWC team, ensures that company objectives, customer service levels, employee relations and inter- branch relations are improved and promoted.
Other Job Functions
Follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) regulations for employees: use or wear any equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer; report any known workplace hazard to the employer or supervisor; report any known contravention of the Act or regulations to the employer or supervisor; not use or operate any equipment or work in a way that may endanger any worker. Interested employees are encouraged to attend Joint Health and Safety (JHSC) Meetings, serve on the executive and become certified workers. All employees are required to participate in the representative selection process and to complete inspections with a Certified Worker when requested.
Participate in NWC training which includes, but not limited to, the mandatory Ministry of Labour course, NWC Health & Safety Standards and Policies, and Accessibility Policies (AODA).
Performs other duties as assigned.
May provide back-up for Operators during peak seasons.
Requirements
Normally requires a minimum of a college diploma or a university degree in agriculture, marketing, or other related discipline. The Agronomy Account Manager has acquired or is working to acquire CCA (Certified Crop Advisor) and Certified Crop Specialist (CCS) designations.
Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and communication skills, oral, and written, to effectively present information; Uses appropriate selling techniques and approaches when meeting with people from different levels, positions, and backgrounds. Explores needs; responds to questions; discusses solutions and options; describes features and benefits; demonstrates the added value of solutions to the customer; addresses objections and closes sales.
Proven ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Proven ability to plan and organize personal sales strategy by maximizing the return on time investment for the assigned territories. Ability to work independently, in a team-oriented environment, and achieve results through others.
Demonstrated mathematical skills with the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts interest, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply these concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Demonstrated ability to efficiently work with Microsoft office computer programs in order to maintain client database system, send and receive electronic mail, perform word processing, access information over the internet and develop spreadsheets or graphic documents to enhance business processes.
Demonstrated strong reasoning ability to solve practical problems and handle customer and/or operational issues and effectively explore alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain all parties’ support and acceptance.
Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and a clean driving abstract, and additionally be able to obtain various licenses, permits and/or certificates as required for this position.
May be required to work extended hours, particularly during peak seasons. Occasional over-night travel may be required.
May be required to be trained in the following: Chemical Handling and Spills Response, Defensive Driving Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Lifting Devices, Exterminator, Pesticide Vendor.
Working Conditions
Occasional lifting, carrying and putting away packaged product, such as seed, fertilizer, and/or jugs of chemicals weighing up to 25 kg may be required. On rare occasions may be required to lift product weighing up to 40 kg.
Work is completed both in a typical office environment and outdoors (i.e. crop monitoring) at various customer and NWC facilities. It is expected that the incumbent will spend approximately 80% of the time, on the road and with customers. Travelling may include driving on gravel roads for extended periods; driving in occasional storm-like conditions.
Additional hours or time outside of normal hours may be necessary due to operational requirements.
Employee may be exposed to noise around farm machinery, odours, and varied surfaces, as well as frequent exposure to dirt, dust, and fumes for a short duration when working in the field and/or working in the fertilizer warehouse.
CSA approved safety boots are mandatory safety attire. Safety precautions must be used while handling chemicals and fertilizer. Long pants or coveralls must be worn when handling such products and while walking through fields and test plots. Other personal protective equipment may be required to be worn such as safety glasses, hearing protection, respiratory equipment, hi-vis attire and fall arrest equipment.
