Technical Sales & Key Account Manager - Valent BioSciences LLC

About Us: 

Valent BioSciences LLC is a worldwide leader in the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of biorational products for the agriculture, public health, and forestry markets. We have more than 60 years of experience bringing biorational products to market, and our products are used in sustainable operations in 95 countries around the world. Biorational products maximize plant quality, productivity, and sustainability.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, Valent BioSciences LLC operates with the Sumitomo Spirit mindset, which means to benefit both self and others, recognizing that private and public interests are one and the same. It’s about contributing to society, as well as making a profit.

Description of Job: The Technical Sales Manager’s primary objective is to create demand, promote and sell Valent BioSciences new Biostimulant product line within their assigned territory. This includes servicing key accounts and distribution partners, diagnosing and solving customer problems, and working with research, development, and marketing staff to develop territory-specific solutions to meet customer needs. Additional objectives include providing technical services, and advise on the use, properties, and modifications of products. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit who is well organized and demonstrates excellent business acumen.

Principal Responsibilities:

Manage and support assigned key customers and distribution partners by building relationships with decision-makers, supporting account plans, coordinating sales activity, and helping drive product placement, adoption, and growth within the territory.

Provide the technical support and basic performance data leading to a customer’s desire to use Valent BioScience Biostimulant products. This will involve field demonstrations, customer training, etc.

Meet or exceed annual sales targets.

Anticipate and analyze new business opportunities for both direct to end-user and with channel partners to drive sales growth.

Review product use trends and customer buying activity to make accurate sales forecasts and signal product demand on a monthly basis.

Provide market intelligence and advice to manager, marketing, and other departments.

Develop and deliver sales presentations, product/service trainings and demonstrations and where necessary, support marketing efforts such as trade shows, exhibits, and other events.

Develop and implement an annual territory business plan, as well as specific annual customer business plans.

Transfer technology for Biostimulant products and applications direct to end-user and/or channel partner marketing/sales organizations through field training and demonstration programs, oral and written presentations as needed.

Identify and assess strategic growth opportunities through personal knowledge/experience, employing regional market expertise.

Effectively works with cross functional teams including transportation, finance, and demand planning to ensure optimal service to customers; exploring and recommending opportunities to improve policies and procedures to better meet department/company objectives.

Stay personally relevant and be able to contribute valuable information to your manager, sales, and marketing team by assessing competitors, analyzing trends and other such activities to help identifying sales opportunities or threats.

Skills:

• Able to work collaboratively to foster a team-based environment to drive achievement of company and department objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. Including frequent and clear communications with customers and growers.
• Problem solving experience and skills.
• Able to build and maintain lasting relationships with customers.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to summarize data and trends clearly.
• Capacity to learn the product line; and then be able to teach others what you’ve learned.
• Solid experience in opportunity qualification, pre-call planning, call control and account development.
• Knowledge of Salesforce and Distributor Management experience a plus.
• Ability to organize and plan work, adhering to deadlines.
• Resolves customer concerns, recommends modifications to products/services.

Experience:

• Minimum 5-8 years’ experience in sales.
• Knowledge of customer base within the market. Specific customer contacts and business relationships within the target market is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge and a good understanding of plant physiology, crop production, crop protection and soil health is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM software platforms.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Ag Business, Soil Biology, Mycology, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Horticulture

Location: Midwest (USA)

Travel: 50%

What We Offer 

We recognize that compensation and benefits play a crucial role in your career decisions. That’s why we’re dedicated to equitable pay practices and transparency in how we reward our employees.

Base Salary: The estimated annual base salary for this position ranges from: 

$125,000 to $145,000. Individual pay is based upon location, skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

Incentives: All full-time employees are eligible for an incentive program or profit-sharing program in addition to their base salary.

Benefits: 

• High-quality healthcare coverage starting on day one, with options for medical (HSA/HRA), vision, and dental plans
• 5% company contribution to your 401(k), plus a quarterly discretionary bonus
• Immediate 100% vesting of all retirement contributions
• Financial assistance programs to support your goals
• Life and disability insurance for added security
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and volunteer days
• Flexible work arrangements available 

Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future

At Valent Group of Companies, we’re proud to power a sustainable future through our work. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been at the core of our culture since the beginning. Today, they continue to drive everything we do.

Join us in making a meaningful impact and contributing to a better world.

• Valent U.S.A., Valent North America LLC, Valent BioSciences LLC and Mycorrhizal Applications LLC are an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and/or identity, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.

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