Strategic Account Specialist - Dairy Sales at Land O'Lakes, Inc. in SHAWANO, Wisconsin

Job Description:

As part of an ever-growing ag community, we are uniquely positioned to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of a growing global population. We are dedicated to finding the most talented people to support the businesses of our member owners, local ag retails and cooperatives across North America. We strive to match people that share our passion for agriculture with sustainable careers in the communities in which our member owners operate. There is no better time to be part of the growing, dynamic world of agriculture - let's help you find your fit.

Strategic Account Specialist - Dairy Sales

Position Summary:

The Strategic Sales Specialist will be responsible for promoting and selling the cooperative's feed and forage products to customers and prospects throughout the trade territory, in a manner which increases the cooperatives market share and achieves cooperative goals of customer satisfaction and profitability. This position will require excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Location: Denmark, WI

Responsibilities:

• Be an active participant of the sales team to grow the cooperative's influence within the assigned sales region. Effectively utilize internal and supplier resources to increase market influence and grow market share.


• Project a positive attitude and image to customers, business partners and employees at all times and provide outstanding customer service. Personally and officially represent company by participating in the community.


• Actively make sales calls to both existing feed patrons and new prospects to increase product sales and to increase market share of feed and related products to dairy and livestock producers.


• Build and maintain relationships on dairy and livestock operations and ask for opportunities to bid on protein, mineral mixes, and loads of commodity feed products. Follow up in a timely manner to all feed bids and price quotes provided to prospects. Track how we compare on bids won, and bids lost.


• Develop member confidence in understanding of company.


• Respond to and resolve customer complaints quickly and fairly in accordance with company policies as needed.


• Actively build relationships with key influencers such as private feed consultants, veterinarians, bankers, etc. to grow the image of the cooperative for the purpose of growing the feed business.


• Provide risk management, product information, pricing, and contracting opportunities for key influencers/clients.


• Provide timely information on markets, price changes, etc. that they can use for customer protein mix formulation.


• Communicate with product procurement in a timely manner to ensure proper risk management and purchase of feed ingredients.


• Provide newsletter articles and/or direct mailer pieces as appropriate to targeted livestock producers on topics that are timely and important within the cooperative market territory.


• Assist other divisions with leads on prospects and communication of situations that are occurring with producers that you work with.


• Attend appropriate leadership and management training and continuing education sessions.


• Observe and enforce all company policies and safety requirements including the credit policy.


• Keep department success as primary objective and maintain a team focus.


• Treat all colleagues in a fair and equitable manner.


• Set and attain written sales goals. Develop individual strategic sales plans for targeted accounts. Provide written reports as requested by management.


• Perform other duties and responsibilities as appropriate and assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient computer skills


• Ability to learn other key operational computer programs.


• Strong analytical decision-making abilities and delegation skills are necessary.


• Excellent organizational skills including multitasking, planning and prioritizing.


• Ability to remain flexible in a quickly changing environment.


• Proven ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.


• Willingness to work both as a team member and independently, while being self-motivated and self-directed.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, supervisors, customers and suppliers.

Qualifications:

• 2 or 4-year degree with Major in Business or Agribusiness.


• 2-5 years' experience in feed production, sales and marketing (cooperative background helpful).


• Working knowledge of purchasing, manufacturing and distribution of livestock feeds helpful.


• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record.


• Desire to serve farmers, livestock producers and others involved in the agricultural industry.

Other Expectations:

• Maintain a high degree of integrity and honesty with customers, fellow employees, suppliers, and management. Strive to consistently improve professional performance and image of the cooperative.


• Maintain confidentiality of all business information. Support direction and decisions of cooperative management. Provide other duties as may be assigned or requested by management.


• Abide by the cooperative's "Standards & Expectations" for your position and strive to achieve the cooperative's "Sales Success Measures & Benchmarks." These documents are provided and maintained by sales management.

If you have questions about how to apply, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.