Grow Team Advisor

at  Federated Cooperatives Limited

Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) is hiring a Grow Team Advisor on a full-time temporary basis for approximately 12 months, based in our regional Winnipeg MB office. For the right candidate, remote work options are available.
Do you want to make a difference in the western communities? This might be the opportunity for you!

WHO YOU ARE:

You are looking for a career in Sales & Marketing and:

• You have a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Agriculture. Master of Science degree is preferred.
• You have a minimum of 6 - 9 years of relevant progressively responsible experience, with a preference for experience in agriculture (out of which 5 years in field Agronomy experience) (a combination of relevant education and experience may be considered).
• You must be a Professional Agrologist and either have or willing to obtain Certified Crop Advisor and 4R certifications.
• You’re honest and trustworthy, are results oriented and strive to be the best in what you do.
• You believe in collaboration, building relationships and value the perspectives of others.

You will be an industry-leading technical agronomy expert who strengthens the CRS’s business growth in crop protection, seed, ag technology, and fertilizer products and services. You will be integral in continuing to drive industry perception of the CRS as a trusted advisor.

Training

• You will identify regional agronomic training needs and then develop and deliver regional agronomic training through a variety of mechanisms, such as in-field, classroom, one-on-one, or written material. You will communicate training initiatives with broader GTA team and Manager of Agronomic Market Development, ensuring efficiency, alignment and sharing of best practices.
• You will provide technical advice to retail Grow Team agronomists, either through one-on-one or regional sessions, on proper crop, herbicide, and nutrition planning and management, field scouting, harvest management, and record keeping. Extend this coaching to the confident adoption of digital ag platforms.
• You will organize and lead regional agronomic training days, including spring scouting, summer agronomy tours, and in-field training of retail summer students. You will communicate training plans to Crop Supplies/Fertilizer and GTA teams.
• You will develop annual training plans for retails and FCL commodities considering the needs of the business line managers and local Co-ops. You will work with Key Account Managers (KAMs) within the Co-op business plan on locally identified training needs.

Agronomic advisor

• With the intent of being a technical expert among the Grow Team, you will build working relationships with Grow Team agronomists. You will field technical agronomic questions from Grow Team. You will provide technical advice and sales guidance on farm calls and grower meetings, as planned, and directed by retail Agro Manager, agronomists, and KAM.
• You will influence the strategic sale of seed, crop protection, and crop nutrition products, as guided by the Crop Supplies and Fertilizer teams through sales and agronomy coaching, technical training, and implementation of a field trial program.
• Working collaboratively with the KAM’s Agro managers and Grow Team agronomists, you will identify key growers within the region with whom the GTA can work with the local agronomist to create value for the local CRS.

Innovation

• You will coach Grow Team agronomists on effective use and full adoption of CRS supported digital Ag platforms, for crop planning, scouting, and field record keeping.
• Under guidance from the Manager of Agronomic Market Development, you will evaluate and provide advice on CRS market potential for new ag technology, such as NDVI, prescription maps, and growth models and use of drones for crop monitoring.
• You will assess the regional Grow Team’s knowledge in sustainable agriculture practices and promote 4R Nutrient Stewardship. You will identify opportunities to promote Grown with Purpose to the CRS by focusing retails on the benefits of 4R to the growers.
• You will coach the Grow Team on the benefits of adoption of the digital ag (soil testing, field-specific nutrient application, VRT) and the benefits of using the platform (record keeping, scouting software and apps), as a part of on-farm stewardship. Promote precision and digital ag with grower customers on farm calls, grower meetings, field tours, or (with the assistance of the marketing team), through marketing and communication tools.

Private Brand strategy support

• You will be responsible for planning and executing field trials to promote private and exclusive brand products.
• You will advise retail agronomists on the technical aspects of private and exclusive brand products and when to recommend them.
• You will train retail agronomists on Product Performance Inquiry process. While retail agronomists are the first line of contact, you will act as a technical resource in product performance inquiries when needed.
• You will maintain records that support any monetary settlement and ensure all paperwork is completed.