Account Manager

The Account Manager serves as the lead point of contact for the assigned member-owners and customers of WinField United and is accountable for the full WinField United portfolio. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining long-term relationships with CEO’s, General Managers, Agronomy Managers, and other key sales leaders.  These relationships should translate into the owner being equipped to meet the needs of the grower of tomorrow.

This role is remote and will work with customers in the Effingham, IL geography. The successful candidate must live in the area.

Duties and Areas of Responsibility

Relationship Building

• Builds trusted partnerships with CEO’s, General Managers, Agronomy Managers, and other key leaders
• Partners with owners by thinking strategically and making connections across the system
• Aligns and communicates internally with the Region Sales Director and sales team
• Understands and communicates value proposition to owner including patronage, programs, pricing, and other resources
• Utilizes Salesforce and other customer relationship management tools to ensure clear communication and internal coordination
• Manages relationships with partners and manufacturers

Owner Alignments and Master Alignment Plans (MAP)

• Manages and grows the WinField United and owner business by setting the sales strategy that meets both the customer and WU business needs. Leads development, implementation, and execution of Account Plan for each assigned owner.
• Ensures MAPs are robust and meaningful and are inclusive of basic manufacturer alignment and direction.
• Coordinates and aligns internal resources to maximize our investments with owner network.
• Measures progress and resolves issues as they arise. Serves as key communicator across organization and with owner related to Account Plan execution.
• Serves as liaison between company leadership and the owner on issues, changes, and daily management of the alignment agreements.

Solution Delivery

• Earns owner commitment of key programs, services, and solutions across the full WFU portfolio
• Ensures a positive customer experience is delivered via WFU’s structured delivery plan
• Ensures the timely and successful delivery of our solutions according to owner needs and objectives resulting in profitable sales. Serves as an expert to owners on full portfolio of products and services to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of the grower of tomorrow. Works in conjunction with Marketing to negotiate pricing and successful implementation of CP, Seed and Services programs
• Drives WinField United strategies at the owner level and clearly communicates progress of initiatives internally and externally; forecasts and tracks key metrics
• Develops new business with existing owners and identifies areas of improvement.  This includes but is not limited to carbon credits, grain orientation, grower financing and prescription programs.
• Applies the brand ladder to deliver partner and proprietary brand strategies
• Understands and tracks competition and shares market intelligence

Job Scope: 

Responsible for the following Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s):

• Sales and profitable growth targets
• Gross margin
• Strategic imperatives
• Account Plan execution
• Managing expenses within budget

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or business-related field plus 7-10 years of industry, direct sales experience or account management experience (with direct customer contact) delivering customer-focused solutions; or an equivalent of 11-14 years of proven work experience in industry, direct sales or account management experience (with direct customer contact) delivering customer-focused solutions.
• Ability to See the “big picture” of the organization and understands how the key drivers of the business relate to each other, work together to produce profitable growth, and relate to the job
• Proactive communicator with exceptional written, verbal, and formal presentation skills
• Trustworthy with a strong level of personal commitment
• Ability to make sound decisions and complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to juggle multiple owners simultaneously, while staying focused on details and execution
• Proven ability to coordinate and collaborate with multiple stakeholders and to influence at all levels
• Ability to work independently and manage productivity
• Ability to build strong relationships
• Experience demonstrating agility and leading/adapting quickly to change
• Technical agriculture product / crop expertise and ability to develop and educate others on products, services, and programs
• Solid experience using Microsoft products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); virtual collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom); and CRM software (Salesforce)
• Must have current and valid state driver’s license
• Ability to travel up to 50%, including evenings and some weekends; may require working long hours during peak seasons

Competencies:

WAGE RANGE SALARY: $102,000 - $156,000 DOE. You are also eligible for a sales incentive in addition to your base salary.

Land O’Lakes, Inc offers a competitive salary. Nothing in this job description restricts the management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment (post offer) background check.

EOE M/F/Vets/Disabled. Land O’Lakes, Inc. enforces a policy of maintaining a drug-free workforce.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

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

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.