Sales Manager

PURPOSE:                     
Represents APC in a direct sales and distributor support/management capacity to the bio stimulant and fertilizer industry. Achieves maximum sales potential, growth and account penetration within the U.S. territory and or market segment by effectively selling the company’s products. Through networking, extensive communication, and an awareness of ongoing client requirements, this role is expected to develop, grow, and expand business partner relationships with an awareness of when client needs might change, expand, or develop into other solutions. This position works under the direction of the SVP of Finance to achieve corporate goals, standards and objectives.  

JOB DUTIES:

• Develop and manage the network of business partners, customers, distributors, agents and staff to achieve sales targets
• Promote and secure sales opportunities from existing and prospective customers
• Grow sales by identifying potential new customers, understanding their business, and communicating our product value
• Design and implement sales strategies and programs to support and develop the sales of bio stimulant products with measurable outcomes, develop sales price policy, negotiate contacts, prices, outcomes and conditions   
• Develop relationships with customers at all levels, including influencers, decision makers, product implementers, marketing and purchasing
• Analyze and report monthly sales results to the APC management team
• Monitor and influence market plans and budgets and take necessary actions to ensure goals are being met
• Keeps abreast of product applications, technical services, market conditions, competitive activities, advertising and promotional trends through the reading of pertinent literature and consulting with marketing and technical service areas
• Develop new markets and collaborate in new product development, communicate regularly to R&D about market trends and applications

• Understand and interpret technical product information and research data with the ability to convey it in a way that customers at varying levels can comprehend and use the information
• Deliver sales presentations, webinars, corporate gatherings, etc., and serve as a company representative at trade shows and other industry seminars and exhibitions 
• Establish, implement and monitor field trials to enable producers to measure and determine the value of bio stimulant products in their operations. 
• Provide training and support to APC customers and distribution partners
• Develop clear and effective written proposals/quotes for current and prospective customers
• Expedites the resolution of customer problems and complaints to appropriate channels within the organization
• Coordinates and collaborates sales efforts with sales management accounting, logistics, customer services and technical service groups
• Maintains updates with customers regarding products, procedures and questions
• Attend meetings and industry related shows when required
• Facilitate communication among marketing, research, quality assurance, customer service and production to create excellent customer experience
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate reports to leadership
• Maintain confidentiality of all information
• Expense and company asset management
• Other duties may be assigned

• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and work ethic.
• Solid understanding of the bio stimulant industry and the ability to apply research principles to the sales function
• Solid experience in sales and marketing with an agricultural, fertilizer, or bio stimulant background
• Experience in international business and solid understanding of fertilizer markets
• Experience working with distributors and selling through the distributor channels, in addition to direct sales 
• Demonstrated aptitude for problem-solving; ability to determine solutions for customers in a consultative sales approach
• Knowledge or the ability to learn technical information related to functional protein products and ability to assists customers in the application of APC bio stimulant and fertilizer products
• Understanding of varying cultures and business attitudes
• Fluency in English, Spanish and Portuguese preferred
• Must be results-oriented and able to work both independently and within a team environment
• Establish effective working relationships with customers and foster long term relationships
• Effectively communicate with the marketing, sales, research staffs, customers, distributors, industry experts, influencers and other business contacts
• Ability to motivate and manage distributors, and sales agents
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Manage and maintain confidential information
• Manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously
• Comply with work related deadlines
• Ability to remain calm and professional during peak periods of activities
• Travel on APC business 50% of the time (primarily domestic and some international)
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary
• Understand and communicate technical information as well as deliver public presentations  
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite applications
• Driver’s license

BASIC MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

This job requires the mental capabilities to apply technical knowledge surrounding the animal agriculture industries to the benefit of APC related products. The incumbent must assimilate and disseminate product information, assist technical service and marketing, develop plans and strategies for products.                         

WORKING CONDITIONS AND EXPOSURES:

This position requires the incumbent to travel on business on a regular basis in a variety of weather conditions. Additionally, this position spends time in the following environments: general office settings, production plants, farm environment and research facilities.  

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sales and Marketing in Agriculture, or related field
• Education or training on new sales and technical information and developments in bio stimulants

Experience: 

• At least 10 years successful and verifiable experience in a sales and marketing with an agricultural/fertilizer/bio stimulant background or similar technical field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Fluent in English and at least one other foreign language, preferably Spanish or Portuguese

Note:  This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of the job duties and requirements associated with this job but are intended to represent an accurate reflection of the current job.

DEPARTMENT: APC Company, LLC

JOB TITLE: Sales Manager – APC Agro

REPORTS TO: SVP of Finance

Salary : $0