Regional Seed Manager - Remote Nebraska

Investing in You, join a 100-year-old, family-owned leader in Ag – and grow with us!

Wilbur-Ellis invests heavily in our employees by offering skill development and training, competitive compensation and benefits, and a tradition of promoting from within for a broad range of career opportunities. And we foster a supportive, people-first work environment.

“We know the confidence gap can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply — we’d love to hear from you.”

General Purpose and Scope of Position:

The Regional Seed Manager’s primary role is to grow the Seed and Seed Technology business within the region through leadership and coordination of the Territory Seed Representative (TSR) and Branch personnel by helping develop personnel, seed technology products, and services. This role also represents the assigned region by serving as a member of the Seed Technology Team. By working closely with the National Director of Seed Technology and key suppliers, the Regional Seed Manager will provide leading seed varieties for the regional sales teams to position and sell to customers.

Key Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and experience in the seed industry required (A combination of education and experience may be substituted in place of a degree)

• Strong and visible leadership – Ability to quickly establish credibility and utilize strategic thinking to shape the team and execute the plan within the functional organization and in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.

• Impact and influence — Ability to influence, develop, and maintain effective internal/external relationships to facilitate change, with and without authority, and ensure cohesion across the organization. Able to promote and secure buy-in from a cross-functional leadership team and peer groups within the organization.

• Interpersonal effectiveness — Is sensitive to different points of view and seeks to understand and resolve conflicts/issues constructively. Able to operate effectively and comfortably with different cultures, in strange and challenging situations, and to direct and instruct in a respectful and polite manner

• Extensive knowledge of seed technology, including knowledge of regional cropping trends, markets, and crop economics

• Deep level of industry knowledge and regional seed businesses

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to manage communication with and present information to all levels of the regions and all key stakeholders

• Serving as a regional liaison and negotiating competitive positions with seed suppliers and vendors in support of national seed technology strategy

• Fostering teamwork to achieve goals aligned regionally and nationally, including maintaining and directing seed supplier strategy and coordination of local supplier opportunities within the region

• Ensuring business processes associated with seed technology are adopted and followed

Key Personal Attributes:

• Aligns to company core values of Integrity, Diversity, Effort, Accountability, and Service

• Leads by example. Embodies servant leadership (values diverse opinions; cultivates a culture of trust; develops other leaders; helps people; encourages; sells instead of tells; thinks you, not me; thinks long-term; acts with humility)

• Strategic approach coupled with the ability to analyze data, metrics, and programs

• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects with strong organizational and time management skills

• Strong track record in inventory management

• Proven track record in current and previous roles

Specific Responsibilities and Key Deliverables Include:

• Team leader, delegator, and developer — Managing the region’s TSR teams, including performance management, salary recommendations, goals and objectives, and day-to-day direction and support

• Inspires and motivates sales staff to sell seed technology services and products

• Attract, develop, and retain talent (i.e., plans for staffing, succession, career paths)

• Promote and drive an employee engagement plan with an aligned, focused culture through clear performance targets and regular one-on-ones focused on culture, mindset, stakeholder alignment, and conflict resolution.

• Strong and visible leadership – traveling with each of the TSRs and setting monthly meetings with the District Managers for your region.   

• Work with the TSRs and District Managers to set a strateg