Product Specialist at Ardent Mills in Denver, Colorado

Job Description:

The Role:

Ardent Mills is seeking a dynamic individual who is passionate about positioning our array of grain based solutions and enabling our sales team to increase sales. Do you have a goal to be an expert in one of Ardent Mills product categories ranging from wheat flours, pulses, ancient grains, to gluten free grains? Do you enjoy collaborating with sales team members to meet their goals? Are you a strategic thinker who can help serve customers with innovative solutions? Does a role combining marketing and sales enablement sound exciting to you? The Product Specialist role may be for you!

The Product Specialist will play an integral role in enabling and supporting our sales effectiveness and continuing to articulate and build Ardent Mills as the market leader in grain and plant-based solutions. As a member of the Product Specialist team, you will ensure data and research gathered in the marketplace shapes future product direction, you will possess exceptional product knowledge in your product category, and be able to articulate and communicate the benefits of all products to the sales team, customers, and other external or internal stakeholders. This role is directly responsible for one or more Ardent Mills product categories. Ardent Mills product categories include wheat-based flours / products, specialty grain based solutions (including but not limited to ancient grains such as Quinoa and heirloom wheats such as Spelt) and pulses / legumes. You will support the sales team in achieving their financial targets and will report to the Product Specialist Leader, within the Product Marketing function.

As a Product Specialist, the Ardent Mills Values of Trust, Serving, Simplicity, and Safetywillguide your decisions while upholding Our Promise we make to our Team Members. Youwilllisten, learn, and serve your team members. Youwillwork with your team to deliver superior business results while embracing a mindset of change resiliency, showcasing learning agility, and challenging yourself to do better.

Your responsibilities:

• 50% Sales Enablement/Support




• 40% Industry Knowledge Activities




• 10% Administrative Activities

Sales Support

• Serve as an expert to the Sales team by providing product category insights, connecting these insights to customer value propositions and supporting account planning, strategy, and solution development




• Support Sales team in developing and achieving AOP targets, with focus on customer and channel specific growth opportunities




• Support sales team ahead of customer meetings and accompany Sellers, as needed, to deliver product category-specific insights and knowledge to Customers to close sales and identify cross-sell opportunities.




• Lead product training sessions for the Sales teams and other internal cross-functional teams leveraging existing product and specialized market knowledge




• Support in the development and execution of customer innovation sessions




• Assist customers in developing the end story for their future products and innovation pipelines




• Understand and speak with a high level of confidence to product line sourcing and grower programs




• Drive development of robust product category-specific training programs for Sales team to improve product knowledge and enable cross-sale of the specialty product category

Industry & Market Knowledge

• Partner with Product Marketing in the evaluation of market (Size, Share, Volume, Portfolio Opportunities) data and trends to assist sales in developing a perspective on targets and customer opportunities




• Develop and maintain exceptional knowledge of their product category as it relates to the various segments, geographies, and the industry overall; understands how Ardent Mills' products fit with the market




• Regularly share insights with Sales Leadership, Account Managers, and other parties related to product categories, and where relevant connect consumer insights / trends to customer needs

Product Expansion

• Exhibit strong product and portfolio knowledge to support preparation for product launches, promotional activity and provide recommendations on portfolio opportunities in partnership with the Product Marketing and Channel Marketing teams




• Utilize technical product knowledge to talk about application opportunities and partner with R&D on customer requirements




• Partner with Product Marketers to develop product category-specific marketing collateral that can be used by Account Managers

People, Process, and Technology

• Leverage existing Ardent Mills resources and technology to operate effectively




• Work cross-functionally to support product category innovation and to provide insights and knowledge to the customer




• Support the Sales team in developing and updating individual customer Account Plans throughout the sales process, including needs identification, solution development and strategy and goal setting




• Work with cross-functional Leadership to validate mutually beneficial growth strategies

Preferred Education, Skills & Experience:

• BA or BS in business, or relevant field




• Minimum 5 years of sales, marketing, or R&D / technical experience




• Strong communication abilities (verbal and written)




• Excellent presentation skills and ability to influence audiences




• Strong story-telling capabilities and ability to creatively imagine a future state




• Good listening skills




• Demonstrated ability to influence and support internal teams that are not direct reports




• Demonstrated ability to deliver results




• Demonstrated ability to build trust with customers




• Outstanding conceptual skills




• Strong interpersonal skills including relationship-building and collaboration




• Proven analytical ability and comfort using data for decision-making




• Strong facilitation skills to include large and small audiences




• Natural sense of curiosity for the industry, segment, customers, and our products




• Ability to thrive in difficult conversations




• An openness and excitement to learn, grow, and be coached




• Show high learning agility to new technology, process and ways of working

Good to have:

• First-hand knowledge and experience in the flour milling industry or food manufacturing




• Knowledge of grains, ingredients




• Experience transferring knowledge and expertise to others

Other considerations:

• Travel: Up to 20% within the US and Canada




• This role will be located at Ardent Mills headquarter location of Denver, CO; remote options may be considered

EO Commitment

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, aboriginality, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills.

The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.

Location:

Denver Office CO

Address:

1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202

Additional Locations (if applicable):

Employment Type:

Full time

Additional Information:

COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION:

We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities and level of experiences. The annualized salary for this position starts at $78,143.10and goes up from there. Our salary ranges are quite broad, and your individual salary will be market competitive based on your unique set of skills and level of experience. Additionally, because we believe that our team members are the reason for our success, we offer all team members (who are not excluded due to their collective bargaining agreement) an opportunity to earn at minimum 5% additional variable incentives based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. Your specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on your role and contributions.

BENEFITS:

At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: * Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage* Health and Dependent Savings Accounts * Life and Disability Programs * Voluntary Benefit Programs * Company Sponsored Wellness Programs * Retirement Savings with Company Match * Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) * Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays * Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE). Apply Now