Executive Director, Seed Portfolio - GROWMARK, Inc. - Bloomington, IL

SALARY RANGE: $160,350.00 - $232,500.00

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

Responsible for the seed product portfolio and how it goes to market across the GROWMARK System and Ontario: genetic and trait supplier relationships and agreements, product advancement and research, portfolio strategy, pricing and programs, product positioning, seed marketing, and grower engagement. Owns the System Supported Brand strategy and the proprietary seed brands (InVISION, HiSOY) as the System's primary sources of genetic diversity and grower choice.  Accountable for the portfolio's competitiveness in support of Seed divisional income and net new acre targets.

SUPERVISION AND LEADERSHIP

Supervises, leads, and develops the Senior Manager, Product Advancement and Research and the Director, Sales Enablement. Leads cross-functional work with seed operations, customer care, sales, crop protection portfolio marketing, Agronomy Services, and Enterprise Marketing.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Accountable for seed gross margin, product line profitability, and portfolio competitiveness, and contributes to Seed Division sales, net new acre, share, and divisional income targets.

Negotiates and administers seed supply, licensing, and trait agreements on behalf of all GROWMARK seed entities, in coordination with the VP, Crop Protection and Seed and Legal, and develops and maintains relationships with genetic and trait suppliers to assure GROWMARK a complete source of outstanding genetics and technology across multiple providers.

Manages the supplier portfolio to balance access to leading genetics and traits, competitive economics for member companies and growers, and the System's long-term position.

Directs product management, advancement, and research for the corn, soybean, wheat, forage, and turf product lines, including seed testing, genetic acquisition, product selection, and seed treatment, and identifies member company needs for products and services in each line.

Sets seed product line pricing and grower programs at levels that support System profit standards and competitiveness and communicates product mix and annual supply plan needs to Seed Operations to control inventory at levels that maximize sales growth and profitability.

Owns seed grower engagement programs, including trips, educational activities, and demonstration plots, and grower targeting and acre-level value propositions that enable field teams to deliver data-driven recommendations, in coordination with the Executive Director, Crop Protection and Seed Sales.

Partners with Executive Director, Enterprise Marketing and Agronomy Marketing Strategist to develop long-term and annual marketing plans and product positioning and brand messages aligned with the enterprise marketing framework and FS brand standards; coordinates marketing efforts with System Supported brand partners.

Partners with the Executive Director, Crop Protection and Seed Sales on program execution, field positioning, and new product launch, provides product and sales training for field staff and member company personnel, and coordinates with the Executive Director, Crop Protection Portfolio on integrated seed and crop protection offers.

Develops annual and long-range seed marketing goals, portfolio plans, and marketing inputs to sales, gross margin, and selling expense budgets, and reports regularly to the VP, Crop Protection and Seed on portfolio performance, supplier position, pricing and program results, market trends, and financial results.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Analyzes seed industry trends, competitor genetics, traits, marketing programs, and advertising and channel behavior to guide portfolio and positioning decisions.

Develops and maintains relationships with strategic partners, universities, and industry contacts, and represents GROWMARK at seed industry events and on assfociation boards and committees as assigned.

Visits member companies to understand System needs and build marketing programs for growth of System Supported Brands.

Collaborates with Seed Operations to ensure governmental and regulatory requirements for assigned product lines are met.

Supports seed performance data flows through myFS Agronomy, and encourages and supports innovative practices, ideas, and technologies within the team.

Follows GROWMARK's Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply.

Responsible for encouraging, supporting, and promoting innovative practices, ideas, and technologies within the team.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Normally requires a college degree in agronomy, ag business, ag economics, marketing, or a related field, or the equivalent thereof, and nine years or more of related experience demonstrating seed portfolio, marketing, or product management leadership.

Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development.

Advanced understanding and experience with seed-related areas including genetics and traits, plant breeding and seed production, product advancement and research, branding and marketing, price strategy, licensing and supply agreements, inventory and risk management, negotiation, and compliance.

Demonstrated experience negotiating and administering supplier and trait provider agreements and managing a multi-supplier portfolio, including proprietary brand development.

Strong analytical skills, including portfolio profitability analysis and financial modeling.

Proven leadership skills including staffing, coaching, performance evaluation, and the ability to achieve results through others, including leaders who do not report directly to the position.

Proven communication, interpersonal, and persuasion skills, and the ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.

Demonstrated planning, organization, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record, a valid passport, and the ability to travel independently and overnight as needed.

At GROWMARK, we are dedicated to supporting the long-term financial well-being of our employees through a fully funded pension, a cornerstone benefit that ensures security for the future. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a variety of supplemental plans like accident, critical illness, disability, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection. To promote a healthy work-life balance, employees enjoy generous paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and parental leave, giving you time to recharge and focus on what matters most. Additionally, our 401(k) plan with company matching helps you plan for retirement, while our free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports your overall well-being. Whether you're starting your career, balancing family life, or planning for retirement, our company is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that meets your needs at every stage. Benefits eligibility may vary depending on the position.

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.  In addition to base pay, certain roles may be eligible for bonuses, incentives, and commissions.

We are an equal opportunity/Disabled/Protected Veteran Employer. All individuals, regardless of demographic or other background, are encouraged to apply. Further, as a federal, state, and local contractor, we comply with government regulations and executive orders as applicable, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with disability and protected veterans.

Employment is contingent on, among other things, receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.