Technical Sales Manager - Valent BioSciences, LLC (Remote)

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 accounts, 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.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop sales opportunities by researching and identifying potential customers; soliciting new accounts; identify decision makers, building rapport.
• 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 3+ 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 Territory - North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa

Travel: 50%

What We Offer:

You ll enjoy competitive compensation, consisting of base pay plus an incentive program available to all full-time employees, and a comprehensive benefits package including high-quality healthcare options, 401k matching, life and disability insurance, generous time off (with time off to volunteer) and much more! Additionally, we offer several Flexible Work Arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.

We work together to power our sustainable future. Here's what drives us: Valent BioSciences, LLC has a strong commitment to both sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). In fact, being a responsible corporate citizen has been ingrained in our culture since the company s founding. Today, it remains at the forefront of everything we do.

• Valent BioSciences LLC is 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.