Technical Sales Representative - Horticulture

at  Walker Industries

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for a Technical Sales Representative-Horticulture at our Walker Oakville Office located in Oakville, ON.
Reporting directly to the Growing Media Group Manager for Environmental, the incumbent maintains accounts with all nursery and greenhouse customers, and may also assist in sales to the engineered soils sector as required. The incumbent collects customized data from customers on products, utilizing this data to design custom mixes to maximize crop output. Drawing from an in-depth knowledge of horticultural production processes, the incumbent supports overall product development at Walker Environmental- Gro-Bark and liaises with the sales, production, Quality Assurance and Research & Development groups. We will consider candidates located near our other business locations including Niagara Falls, Arthur, Caledon, Halton Hills and Durham Region.

SKILLS:

This position requires a demonstrated degree of initiative and judgment in order to organize and prioritize daily tasks. Courtesy, tact and diplomacy are required in dealing with colleagues, customers and industry associates in every day working relationships.

• Minimum college diploma or university degree, preferably in the field of biology, chemistry, horticulture or environmental science.
• Greater than five years but less than or equal to ten years of technical sales experience, especially in the horticultural industry.
• Advanced levels of customer service, interpersonal and communication skills to promote and foster relationships with existing and potential customers and industry associates.
• Strong computer skills to produce reports, documents, proposals and presentations as required.
• Able to identify, analyze and resolve problems, which are at times technical in nature.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health and safety and environmental regulations and legislation.
• Demonstrated understanding of quality standards relative to chemical engineering, sales, and customer service.
• Able to work with limited supervision and to take discretionary action as required.
• Communicates well in writing by composing clear documents; facility with editing and/or proof-reading is required
• Professional manner, tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with colleagues, including and senior management.
• A valid G Registration Ontario Driver’s Licence in good standing is required for this position, as the incumbent will be required to travel on a regular basis to visit nursery and greenhouse customers, mostly throughout Ontario.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Executes sales analyses and forecasts to identify growth opportunities within the horticultural and growing media and engineered soils sector.
• Utilizes sound communication and highly developed interpersonal skills to secure new nursery and greenhouse customers and grow revenues.
• Develops expert technical knowledge of customer’s requirements, needs and specifications to write customized soil mix recipes.
• Services existing customer accounts by maintaining regular contact to maintain and increase customer satisfaction.
• Investigates and researches customer concerns or complaints to achieve successful resolutions.
• Develops knowledge of customer’s manufacturing processes to improve product effectiveness and ensure products are performing at optimum levels.
• Supports product development and identifies opportunities for product development team.
• Provides feedback and coordinates with research and development team to assist in determining what changes or new products would best meet customer’s requirements and specifications .
• Utilizes MixPro to create custom recipes and generate quotes for customers.
• Attends greenhouse and fruit & vegetable (produce) conferences as needed.

This position requires a demonstrated degree of initiative and judgment in order to organize and prioritize daily tasks. Courtesy, tact and diplomacy are required in dealing with colleagues, customers and industry associates in every day working relationships.

• Minimum college diploma or university degree, preferably in the field of biology, chemistry, horticulture or environmental science.
• Greater than five years but less than or equal to ten years of technical sales experience, especially in the horticultural industry.
• Advanced levels of customer service, interpersonal and communication skills to promote and foster relationships with existing and potential customers and industry associates.
• Strong computer skills to produce reports, documents, proposals and presentations as required.
• Able to identify, analyze and resolve problems, which are at times technical in nature.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health and safety and environmental regulations and legislation.
• Demonstrated understanding of quality standards relative to chemical engineering, sales, and customer service.
• Able to work with limited supervision and to take discretionary action as required.
• Communicates well in writing by composing clear documents; facility with editing and/or proof-reading is required
• Professional manner, tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with colleagues, including and senior management.
• A valid G Registration Ontario Driver’s Licence in good standing is required for this position, as the incumbent will be required to travel on a regular basis to visit nursery and greenhouse customers, mostly throughout Ontario