Product Manager

Advanta is a global seed business adapting to rapidly increasing food insecurity and climate change by providing farmers with innovation and new technologies. As part of UPL Group, Advanta aims to deliver high quality seeds with excellent agronomic practices and crop protection solutions. Advanta operates in over 80 countries under global brands of Advanta, Alta and Pacific Seeds. Advanta holds a leadership position in tropical and sub-tropical geographies in corn, grain and forage sorghum, sunflower, canola, rice, and a variety of vegetables. With over 60 years' experience in plant genetics, Advanta provides seeds technology that ensures crop performance and farmers prosperity.

The Advanta Seeds Product Manager will be responsible for growing the market share and profitability of the Seed & Technology business across both our branded and private label portfolio. In this position, you are expected to create demand for Advanta Seed products with distributors, dealers, and growers.  As the Product Manager, you will leverage your skills and experience to drive profitable growth across our forage, sorghum and corn lineup. This role will report to the Sales and Marketing Director.

 

The primary responsibilities of the Product Manager are to:

• Own forecasting, allocation and pricing implementation for portfolio
• Advise and create programs and offerings for channel partners
• Develop a roadmap of marketing activities/initiatives to implement to drive profitable growth
• Focus on product positionings and differentiation, tailor messaging to fit needs of our respective markets
• Collaborate with Territory Sales Managers/Representatives, Global and Regional Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance and Technology Development to maximize services, information, and sales to distributors, dealers, and key grower accounts
• Manage inventory concerns as appropriate to ensure success of meeting business objectives.
• Gather, aggregate, and analyze market and competitive information and utilize data to make key decisions to drive the business.
• Effectively manage expenses, discretionary resources, and programs.
• Show initiative in implementing initiatives that will drive localized demand.
• Act as the business expert for distributors, dealers, and key growers, while planning for customer business needs.
• Travel approximately 40%.

 

Required qualifications:

• Substantial experience in sales, marketing, account management or production agriculture.
• Excellent communication skills (interpersonal, oral, and written).
• Demonstrated initiative, assertiveness, and ability to drive results.
• Strong business acumen, product planning, influencing and critical thinking skills.
• Financial, time, and P&L management proficiency.
• Proven ability to multi-task in a rapid-paced and matrixed environment.
• Strong level of computer and presentation skills (proficiencies in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data to influence decisions.
• Travel to a rural environment.
• Proven interest in supporting collaboration and teamwork.

 

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Ag Business/Economics or similar field
• Six (6+) years of experience in agriculture sales, marketing, and/or account management.<