Seed Lead

Department:      Agronomy

Location:             Le Center

Date Posted:      October 10, 2022

Status:                 Open

Job Summary:

The seed lead oversees Ag Partners’ seed business within their territory (Belle Plaine, Le Center, Morristown, Le Sueur) by having effective and timely communication with agronomy staff and seed vendors. They act as a leader to guide and support the seed sales process and fulfill customer orders. They also help to ensure each customer has a good seed buying experience. This is not an all-encompassing list of responsibilities and may be assigned other duties based on business needs. Duties and responsibilities may vary based on location.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Seed Ordering & Seed Management Tasks

• Communicate with sellers, other seed leads, and seed representatives to fulfill orders and maintain adequate supply by securing shortages and limiting excess supply. Coordinate product movement between locations to ensure our ability to fulfill orders.
• Be proficient in using other vendor platforms to complete dealer seed orders and submit product transfers as needed. Recognize seed brand manufacturer timelines and collaborate with seed sales staff to ensure program deadlines are achieved.
• Manage inventory operations, including transfers, receivers, invoicing, grower orders, manufacturer returns, and monthly physical inventories. Oversee year-end tasks, including manufacture returns, reconciling inventory discrepancies, bulk bean dumps, and submitting seed replants. Coordinate product delivery from each vendor.
• Represent the territory and forecast seed & seed treatment needs. Collaborate with sales staff to anticipate market trends. Track sales-to-date for your territory.
• Work with sales staff to obtain required grower technology licenses.
• Coordinate deliveries and ensure adequate floor stock supply at other locations. Work with staff to stage in-season seed needs, bulk seed deliveries, pre-treated orders, etc.
• Communicate with other locations, departments, and all levels of management effectively and within a timely manner.

Seed Warehouse Management

• Oversee the operation of the seed treater and maintain a seed treater’s license.
• Collaborate with others to organize the warehouse, upkeep the seed-treating equipment, daily housekeeping measures, and support safety efforts.
• Maintain knowledge of all relevant regulations; oversee compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies (DOT, OSHA, EPA, USDA, etc.).
• Be accurate and detailed to ensure effective staging of grower orders and coordinate efficient customer deliveries. Manage delivery drivers.

Communication

• Communicate frequently with sales staff, other seed leads, brand reps, and seed shipping coordinators. Actively participate in winter season weekly conference calls and attend seed lead meetings to represent the territory as a whole to the rest of the company & seed representatives.
• Create a product sharing list and keep it current to assist sellers, brand reps, and other seed leads.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a team or independently.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address process inadequacies and assist in developing ways to increase efficiency.
• Strong leadership skills with a positive attitude
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as business dictates.
• Excellent organizational skills; be efficient, able to adapt, and prioritize.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

Education and Experience:

• Experience in production agriculture with an agronomy background is preferred.
• A 2- or 4-year degree in a related field is preferred but not required.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Commercial Pesticide Applicators License category A and H (Seed Treaters License).

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry heavy materials between (50-75 lbs.) occasionally. Ability to regularly stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, push and pull.
• Work conditions may include dust, fumes, moderate to loud noise levels, uneven surfaces, and various heights.
• Working near moving equipment, outside and inside, and in all weather conditions
• While performing job duties, one must speak, hear, see, and use hands/fingers to operate a computer and telephone.
• Have a valid driver’s license and the ability to be licensed as a forklift operator. Travel to other locations.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and all subsequently required drug screens.