Jul 10, 2009

Communications Director - St. Paul, MN

This is the job of the week for us! What a cool opportunity. My friend Leslie is heading off the grad school, leaving the position of Communications Director open at AgriGrowth, based in St. Paul, MN. Based on what she tells me you will enjoy the heck out of working in a small office while having the reins over most of the communications work there. You'll also be dabbling in policy and flexing your muscles there too. I'd be lying if I didn't mention I want to apply for this position. Race you?

JOB TITLE

Communication Director

SUBMISSIONS

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to info@agrigrowth.org or fax to 651-905-8902. All applications will be treated confidentially. Deadline for submissions is Friday July 17, 2009.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Minnesota Agri-Growth Council (MAGC) is seeking a Communications Director to develop and execute both internal and external communications strategies. Ideal candidate will have communications or public relations degree and minimum 2 years experience working with food/agriculture sector or public policy. Candidates should have understanding of issues and trends affecting food/agriculture industry, as well as legislative and regulatory process. Communications duties include writing and distributing members information; managing website and IT consultants; devising timely press releases; and managing collateral information. Additional duties include assisting with legislative initiatives; planning and marketing events; developing relationships with current/prospective members; presenting at Board of Director meetings; and operating in a team office environment.

This Communications Director position will play an integral role to the organization, its members, and the entire state food/agriculture industry. Successful candidate will be resourceful, possess quality writing/communications abilities and people skills, and the ability to work effectively in a small office environment.

MAGC offers a dynamic but flexible working environment. While the position preferred is full-time, Agri-Growth will also consider experienced candidates seeking a less than full time arrangement. The position offers a professional salary range. Attractive 401(k), vacation time, and merit-based bonus also included.

BACKGROUND

MAGC is a non-profit trade association representing the food & agriculture industry through public policy, lobbying, strategic planning, and advocacy. The Council’s 200+ members range from multinational as well as small food processors to renewable energy manufacturers, other trade associations, farm and commodity groups, finance-lenders, academic institutions, and all others directly and indirectly involved in the food and agriculture industry.

Golden Harvest Sales Rep - Iowa

I always wanted to work for Golden Harvest when I was in college. Then I realized I'd probably be a terrible seed rep - YOU however will make a much better one. In fact, this might just be the opportunity you were looking for. Plus, North East Iowa is beautiful country. By the way, it bugs the hell out of me that we only have a reference to a website for you to apply to for jobs with Syngenta. If you have a better contact, by all means, please send it our way.

Golden Harvest Sales Representative – North East Iowa - 1326

Role Purpose –

Responsible for the marketing, selling, and development of brand awareness of Golden Harvest Seeds, Syngenta products and programs in the trade area through delivery of the annual campaign plan while meeting established targets.

Accountabilities –

Expand coverage through the recruitment, training and motivation of new and existing Farmer Dealers along with establishing relationships with target customers within the territory.
 Develop the selling skills of current Dealers through implementation of the Sales Training Program and develop product knowledge, Agronomy Up Front knowledge and technical accuracy of Dealers.
 Successfully implement an annual territory promotion and advertising plan, to deliver on campaign and portfolio plans, and build / implement supporting plans at the Farmers Dealers level.
 Execution of all sales and marketing programs and local delivery of the annual campaign plan
 Conduct meeting presentations and training sessions to increase product awareness and sales
 Successfully complete projects as assigned by corporate and/or DM
 Achieve established sales targets within the promotional seed and financial targets as established with DMResponsible for forecasting demand of major product lines in the territory.

Knowledge, Experience & Capabilities –

Critical knowledge:

Bachelor’s degree in Ag related field
Must possess a valid driver’s license

Critical experience:

A strong working knowledge of the Midwest corn and soybean farmer.
Agriculture sales and or seed experience desired but not required

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities:

Conflict Management
Motivating Others Time Management
Agonomic/Product Knowledge
Interpersonal Savvy
Organizational Skills
Basic Excel, Word Working Knowledge
Be able to lift a minimum of 50#
Work in an out side Environment

Critical leadership capabilities:

Customer Focus
Team Leadership
Team Player
Business Acumen
Drive for Results Integrity & Trust
Listening
Perseverance
Dealing w/ Ambiguity

Critical success factors:

Establish relationships with Dealers and Customers while delivering on established sales targets.

Additional Information –

All applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

Syngenta offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including market-based pay, health/dental insurance, a generous 401(k) program, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance.

Qualified candidates should apply today! Please submit your application online at www.syngentacareers.com. EOE

Sales Rep - Michigan

We don't see enough job openings in Michigan these days, so please, if you know someone looking for a great job in that state, please pass this along.

Sales Representative – Central Michigan - 1330

Role Purpose –

This position is primarily responsible for increasing business profitability through achieving or exceeding financial and business targets for an assigned territory while implementing marketing strategies and continually improving the customer connection.

Accountabilities –

• Provide value added services to targeted accounts. Each rep will work with targeted accounts within a core geography. 
• Assure proper product use and expectations to include; product features and benefits, pest identification, scouting, application timing, grower/retail meetings and sale confirmation. This will also include follow-up with key growers after the use season. 
• Develop and implement territory business plans to achieve sales objectives and identify opportunities for profitable market share growth. 
• Assist the District to exceed financial and market share objectives.
• Act as steward of product portfolio by making product use recommendations and by managing complaints in the field as needed.
• Develop a profound understanding of customer needs via consultative selling within assigned market areas.
• Attain sales and marketing goals

Knowledge, Experience & Capabilities –

Critical knowledge:

• It is essential that the candidate have a broad knowledge of the product portfolio and of corresponding crop markets. 
• The candidate must be able to recognize competitive activities in the marketplace and know how to effectively minimize impact without compromising profitability targets

Critical experience:

• This position requires a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Agriculture. 
• The candidate must demonstrate the following abilities: leadership, innovative thinking and calculated risk-taking.

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities:

The candidate must have the following competencies:
• Customer Focus – candidate must be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of external customers and clients; obtains first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customer in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Business Acumen – candidate must know how businesses work; knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology and information affecting his/her business and organization; knows the competition; is aware of how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace.
• Resilience – candidate must be able to recover rapidly from adversity, change or misfortunate; must have the ability to bounce back from difficult situations; have the capacity to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them out; candidate must have a positive view of self and confidence in his/her strengths and abilities.
• Integrity and Trust – candidate must be widely trusted; seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
• Drive for Results – can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
• The candidate must be team focused and exhibit a passion for continued success.
• Candidate must possess strong interpersonal and communications skills, which are required for this role.
• The candidate must demonstrate he/she possesses excellent sales and negotiations skills.
• Candidate must have, as a minimum, basic personal computing skills

Additional Information – • All applicants must be eligible to work in the US.
• Travel Requirements – 40%

Syngenta offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including market-based pay, health/dental insurance, a generous 401(k) program, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance.

Qualified candidates should apply today! Please submit your application online at www.syngentacareers.com. EOE