Director of Seed

Description

JOB SUMMARY: The main responsibilities for the position are: developing and implementing all seed policies, programs, and procedures; managing the seed logistics coordinator; provide sales support to our SAMs and location managers; maintain and strengthen business relationships with Seed Production Companies; develop and refine MKC’s seed knowledge platform; conduct grower seed meetings; handle any complaints related to seed issues; and increase our market share of seed sales in the assigned territory.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams.

2. Ability to develop organization wide strategies.

3. Ability to engage and partner with coworkers.

4. Good knowledge of successful sales techniques and experience using these techniques.

5. Ability and willingness to sell services to customers.

6. Good working knowledge of seeds, chemicals, and fertilizer products.

7. Planning, Coordinating, Budgeting skills.

8. Organization and Analytical skills.

9. Able to work independently with minimum supervision.

10. Computer and data entry skills.

11. Ability to react to change productively. 

12. Ability to handle emotional customers and resolve complaints.

13. Ability to read and interpret documents.

14. Presentation skills to large groups of people.

Requirements

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Eye protection is required in restricted areas. Appropriate clothing required when handling chemicals and hazardous materials.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

A bachelor’s degree in a field of agriculture from a four-year university or college and three years of experience in seed or agronomy sales.

JOB DUTIES:

1. Research contracts, suppliers, equipment, new products, industry trends, and regulations to analyze information to determine product and service needs of customers.
2. Services as liaison with vendors for the purpose of monitoring and consolidation of orders for better expense management.
3. Supervises the seed operations coordinator. Supervision activities include: training, writing development discussions, salary administration, promotions, transfers, discipline, termination of employment recommendations.  Encourages staff to work with the field sales staff and location managers to accomplish the annual seed sales goals and to provide excellent customer service.
4. Maintains purchasing information for the purposes of documentation for customers.
5. Develops policies and procedures for seed purchasing and contract management.
6. Maintains and reviews records of purchases, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventory.
7. Increase market share of seed in entire MKC territory working with the Chief Marketing Officer, Field Sales Staff, and Managers on seed sales and marketing programs.
8. Work directly with Strategic Account Managers and Location Managers providing sales support, grower seed meetings, and test plots.
9. Ensure seed orders are handled in a timely and accurate manner that results in exceeding customer expectations.  
10. Coordinates all logistics of seed deliveries to locations and to customers occur in a manner which exceeds customer expectations and improves company efficiency.
11. Confer with sales staff, customers, and vendors to resolve product issues.
12. Develop training programs for sales staff and customers.
13. Maintain a positive attitude that promotes teamwork and a favorable image of MKC.
14. Complete all reports required by your manager on a timely basis.
15. Follow the credit policy and the safety policies of MKC.  
16. Follow maintenance procedures for any company equipment you are using.
17. Complete special projects assigned by your manager.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Job involves work inside a climate-controlled office atmosphere and outside in hot and cold weather.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked to perform other instructions or duties. Management has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.