Purina Animal Nutrition is a national organization serving producers/animal owners and their families through more than 4700 local cooperatives, independent dealers, and other retailers throughout the United States. Through the use of industry-leading R&D, Purina Animal Nutrition provides a portfolio of complete feeds, supplements, premixes, ingredients and specialty technologies for the livestock and lifestyle markets. Headquartered in Shoreview, MN, Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O Lakes Inc.

This position is responsible for working with a member cooperative/dealer to assist livestock producers in achieving improved production, growth rates, and profitability of their operations through the sale of Purina Feed Programs. The Livestock Sales Specialist w/Supervision will aggressively manage a staff of Purina hired sales professionals placed with the assigned cooperative/dealer. The Livestock Sales Specialist w/Supervision will also focus on talent acquisition and expansion of the Purina Farm Production Consultant (FPC) program, which is comprised of both LPS & local hire salespeople. The Sales Specialist w/Supervision will also focus on increasing market share through the use and sale of proprietary technologies & products, along with their knowledge of animal nutrition and their ability to communicate effectively with people. Lastly, the sales specialist with supervision will be required to leverage their experience and skills to support Farm Production Consultants on farm as well as potentially have some of their own farmgate clients as part of the overall effort.

This is a remote (virtual) field-based sales position that must be located within the geographic territory of North Central Wisconsin.

Qualifications:

Experience: minimum of 3-5 years of successful livestock feed sales with proven results and sustained growth along with experience in sales staff management and direction

Education: 4 year degree in related field is preferred

Travel: must be willing to travel within assigned trade area in a manner that effectively supports sales growth and customer satisfaction

Competencies: ability to work with assigned sales staff in a supporting and directive manner (player coach), establish goals and direct development and expectations with those supervised, manage time effectively, problem solve quickly, have strong communication and interpersonal skills, versatility in working with different styles of customers, take action mentality, willingness to lead by example and empower others to do the same.

Necessary Skill Sets: strong leadership and relationship building skills, sales management experience, experience with current ration balancing models, in depth understanding of animal nutrition and willingness for ongoing learning; experience with herd record analysis helpful; strong written and verbal communication skills; experience with Excel, Outlook, Word, and other software programs;

Job Functions:

Supervision Role:

• Aggressively manage and inspect the results of Purina hired and locally positioned LPS team members
• Actively acquire new talent to support growth and fill open positions
• Inspect what you expect, drive FPC team for growth
• Develop training and support initiatives that fit the need and long term development of FPC team
• Continue to upgrade talent for long term growth and strong return on sales time investment of the local cooperative and dealers where FPC talent is placed
• Be a strong advocate for the FPC team, help empower them to win
• Execute on FPC programs provided by Purina Animal Nutrition
• Manage the budgets of the assigned LPS team
• Provide regular feedback, but also complete formal annual and midyear reviews with FPC team
• Create Individual Development Plans with each assigned FPC team member
• Work closely with dealer and cooperative management to ensure strong working relationships with LPS team and the local production, manufacturing, and locally hired sales professionals; foster team environment

Dealer/Cooperative Customer Support Role:

• Actively work with the aligned cooperative/dealers in supporting the development and execution of sales growth strategies and tactics that incorporate Purina feed programs and technologies
• Work closely with coop/dealer management to develop strong and trusting relationship focused on their needs and the needs of their customers by positioning the programs, tools, technologies, and services (including your own experience) of Purina
• Assist all sales staff at the farm gate in meeting customer expectations and targeted prospecting for new business growth; actively farm call with sales staff and management to provide technical support and sales skill development guidance; lead the selling process;
• Inspect regularly the sales results of assigned dealer/coop to determine and track growth, inspect areas that are underperforming and work to accelerate growing segments of the business
• Regularly meet with dealer and sales staff to bring updates, train, review results, implement new sales and marketing programs
• Bring resolution to any and all feed related issues that arise (feed quality, service interruption, service quality, etc.): You are the primary contact for the account.
• Assist your assigned dealer in ordering of product if necessary, support the manufacturing and distribution system of Purina to meet the needs of your assigned customers;
• Utilize the team of resources at your disposal to support the needs of the account and its customers and prospects (manufacturing, species specialists, R&D, PhD tech support, Purina sales training, customer service, areas sales management, Purina marketing)
• Work closely with your Area Sales Manager (ASM) to address needs and opportunities at your assigned accounts
• Have a plan for growth with your assigned accounts that is realistic, flexible, and strategic
• Become familiar with and use the Herdsmart ration balancing program, and Addie Program for dairy record analysis; assist sales staff in the use of the programs and proper positioning for effective results
• As needed, develop training programs or use existing Purina programs that meet the needs of the coop/dealer staff and the sales staff
• Work closely with your PhD Tech Specialist and Species Sales Specialist team members to support current farm gate customers and drive growth through targeted prospecting
• Actively position applicable marketing initiatives, new feed product and technology launches
• Actively utilize the Purina Animal Nutrition Center and its staff to support the sales growth plans with each dealer and cooperative
• As needed control your own book of business either directly or in partnership with dealer Farm Production Consultants, to leverage your experience and skills and grow your overall relevance and influence

This is a sales role that is compensated with a target mix of base salary plus commission. Base salary is dependent upon experience/tenure and generally ranges between $80,000 - $125,000. Commission is driven by individual performance.

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including pre- and post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

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