Agronomy District Sales Manager - Illini FS - Urbana, IL

 

Illini FS is headquartered in Urbana, Illinois with branches in five eastern Illinois counties. Illini FS has about 200 employees and approximately 6,000 customers. The cooperative does business in agronomy, energy, tires, and retail. Illini FS is part of the GROWMARK System, an agricultural cooperative serving more than 100,000 customers across North America and Ontario, Canada.

 

 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT:

 

• Responsible for the development and implementation of the agronomy marketing plan, sales and margins of the agronomy department, and the supervision of the agronomy department sales and procurement personnel. 

 

 

SUPERVISION AND LEADERSHIP:

 

• Supervises, leads, and develops the assigned direct reports, and/or any assigned indirect reports applicable to the department by providing leadership, setting performance expectations, providing feedback, and actively maintaining performance management standards. 

 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and implements agronomy marketing plans including marketing communications, strategic plans, and target budgets, etc. 
• Coordinates all agronomy products procurement and distribution while developing and implementing risk management plans. 
• Responsible for sales and margins of the agronomy department through target marketing, competitive analysis, pricing strategies, continual management and evaluation of people and structure and managing inventories. 
• Develops and implements effective sales administration plan setting expectations, training in the field, coaching, measuring results and follow-up. 
• Provides leadership to the agronomy sales  team by setting performance expectations, managing sales activities, calling on key customers, and serving as a communication and public relations link to the company. 
• Works with the Credit Department in determining the credit worthiness of customers and the accounts receivable administration. Responsible for ensuring credit policies and procedures are followed by the sales team. 
• Coordinates with the Agronomy Operations Manager to establish efficient plant operations and asset utilization. 

 

 

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develops beneficial relationships with required vendors for agronomy products. 
• Recruits, selects, and retains quality personnel. Trains, coaches, counsels, and disciplines employees to develop individual talents 
• Conducts and assists with training and informational meetings. 
• Assists with the development of the company budget by forecasting sales volumes, projected margins and expense items. 
• Supports and contributes to total company goals and objectives through collaboration efforts. 
• 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 Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, marketing, business or related discipline or the equivalent thereof, and 6 years or more of business related work experience to demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to supervise employees, generate profitable sales, build a repeat customer base, and gain market share. 
• CCA preferred. 
• Demonstrated 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. 
• Ability to work extended hours or on-call as business conditions warrant. 
• Prefer an understanding of GROWMARK agronomy division products and services and risk management programs. 
• Must be able to obtain and maintain applicable professional certifications associated with the agronomy industry.  
• May be required to lift up to 70lbs. 
• 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.  

 

We are an equal opportunity employer, including protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. Employment may be contingent upon receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.