Crop Specialist

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

Sells and markets the following products and services to new and existing customers: crops inputs, such as fertilizer, crop protection pesticides, seed products, service income, technical services, and Ag-finance program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Implements marketing plans and develops sales strategies that generate profitable sales in the assigned territory.

Travels to client locations within assigned territory to establish GROWMARK brand and obtain orders for products and services.

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.

Adheres to GROWMARK’s sales and marketing strategies and attends GROWMARK sales trainings as offered.

Responsible for meeting sales goals as established by supervisor.

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 to develop customer relationships and drive sales. 

Provides customer service by using soil testing, crop scouting and other programs, follows up on customer complaints, and seeks a reasonable “win/win” resolution.

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.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Responsible for maintaining the assigned vehicle according to company standards, adheres to the uniform policy, and maintains the appropriate professional image.

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 for sales of all assigned products according to company credit policy.

Attains and maintains technical and sales skills to certification standards.

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

Daily independent travel within the trade area with occasional overnight stays.

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.

Must possess or obtain a seller’s or solicitor’s license where required by law.

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

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.

Daily independent travel within the trade area with occasional over-night stays.

Must be able to obtain and maintain applicable professional certifications associated with the agronomy industry. (i.e. CCA, CCS, CPAg, Commercial Applicator w/applicable categories)

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 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.