Territory Manager- Eastern USA (Champaign, IL, US) en SEEDING THE FUTURE - KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

Summary/Purpose: 

The Territory Manager will ensure the successful introduction and establishment of hybrid rye sales and connected services in the US for long-term viability. To achieve this, the sales expert will collaborate with existing and new key stakeholders, both internally and externally. Additionally, they will optimize the sales of KWS hybrid rye varieties in terms of value and volume.

Key responsibilities: 

• Manage Relationships with Seed Dealers and Distributors:
  • Maintain strong relationships with current dealers and distributors while seeking new ones in the region.
  • Handle dealer/distributor agreements.
  • Collaborate closely with the US Sales Manager to set mid and long-term sales goals.
  • Assist with annual and midterm pricing in collaboration with the US Sales Manager.
  • Manage invoicing and debtor accounts.
• Promote Hybrid Rye to Farmers:
  • Generate interest among farmers to grow hybrid rye through field days, training sessions, and special events.
  • Provide growing recommendations and support to farmers.
  • Recommend the appropriate rotation for hybrid rye.
• Market Analysis and Integration:
  • Identify market requirements and develop solutions to incorporate hybrid rye, focusing on:
    • Using hybrid rye for pig and cattle feeding.
    • Using hybrid rye for KWS Cover+.
• User Experience:
  • Be passionate about the user experience by engaging directly with users and gathering feedback firsthand.
• Sales Targets and Responsibilities:
  • Meet annual sales targets.
  • Collect and analyze market data to identify potential opportunities.
  • Maintain and optimize customer data in the CRM tool (Salesforce).
  • Create visit reports.
  • Record and process complaints in alignment with the Sales Manager and Production and Logistics Manager.
• Support Agronomic Trials and Research:
  • Assist the product manager in coordinating agronomic trials and research in the regions of interest.
  • Understand plot work and analyze data.

Required Qualifications:

• Experienced sales expert with experience developing new markets in agriculture industry 
• Technical understanding of the cultivation of small grains
• Good teamwork, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Ability to travel domestically as required
• Ability to work outdoors
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• BA/BS in Agriculture of related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using CRM/SalesForce
• Experience using SAP
• 5+ years of appropriate work experience

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This position is home office-based with an expectation of 50% travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.