Crop Purchasing Specialist - Insight FS - Antigo, WI

Insight FS is headquartered in Jefferson, Wisconsin with 23 branches across the state and upper peninsula of Michigan. Insight FS has 430+ employees (including seasonal workers) and approximately 50,000 customers. The cooperative does business in agronomy, agri-finance, precision agriculture, nutrient management, energy, feed, grain, and turf. Insight 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

• Directs the purchasing, distribution and marketing of agronomy related products and services.  Provides overall direction, coordination and evaluation of all assigned locations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Implements marketing plans and develops sales strategies that generate profitable sales in the assigned territory.
• Utilizes target marketing and professional sales techniques, including the FS sales interview road map, cropping programs, emphasis of appropriate features and benefits, and contact management system when calling on patrons and prospects.
• Develops territory and competitive analysis to maintain a current knowledge of the marketplace and the competition.
• Provides value-added agronomic products, services, and recommendations to patrons and prospects. 
• Schedules product delivery and application to patron locations. 
• Conducts regular patron meetings on product and technical information. 
• Provides customer service by using soil testing, crop scouting and other programs, follows up on customer complaints, and seeks resolutions.
• Ensures the credit worthiness of customers, quotes prices and credit terms, and prepares sales contracts for orders obtained. 
• Promotes the use of credit programs as a sales tool and helps provide the required information to establish credit.
• Coordinates purchasing of facility equipment.
• Directs preparation of accounting records.
• Reviews operating costs, product quality, and modifies operation and inventory control programs to enhance profitable operations.
• Reviews market analysis to determine customer needs, volume potential, price schedules, and discount rates.
• Understands and assists in the contracting of product lines.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Ensures field signs are displayed on all customers’ fields to promote FS products
• Responsible for completing and updating profile information sheets on all key accounts and targeted prospects.
• Collects sales of all assigned products according to company credit policy.
• 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 minimum of an Associate’s Degree in agriculture, marketing, or business, or the equivalent thereof, and 2 years or more of related work experience to demonstrate knowledge of production agriculture.
• Demonstrated GROWMARK essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making, and skill development.
• Prefer an understanding of GROWMARK agronomy products, services, and programs.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the appropriate driver’s license and satisfactory driving record for the type of vehicle that will be required to operate in order to perform all the duties assigned prior to employment.
• Ability to travel independently and overnight within the trade area.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain applicable professional certifications associated with the agronomy industry. (i.e. CCA, CCS, CPAg, Commercial Applicator w/applicable designations).
• Ability and willingness to work extended hours during peak seasons.
• Occasionally exposed or required to: 
  • Extreme weather conditions (hot, cold, wet, etc.)
  • Noisy conditions
  • Working conditions may include dust, fumes, chemicals, and electrical hazards with appropriate safety measures
  • May be required to work at varying heights
  • Lift 51-75 lbs.
• 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 is 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.