Crop Protection Sales Representative

Please note: The territory for this position is Northern Illinois. Optimal support location for the territory is in the Ottawa, IL area.

At Syngenta, we are working to build the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture that provides leading seeds and crop protection innovations to enhance the prosperity of farmers. To support that challenge, Syngenta is currently seeking a Crop Protection Sales Representative for Syngenta’s Northern Illinois Territory. In this role, you will be an integral member of a high performing District Sales team working together to achieve profitable growth, and create an industry leading and sustainable position for Syngenta.

Your role will be to maximize sales and market share within your territory, by developing strong business relationships with customers and ensuring their support and satisfaction with Syngenta products.  Using your strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, you will assess market dynamics, provide insights to internal stakeholders and develop and implement annual business activity plans to influence demand.  You will also develop and manage strong customer relationships through direct calls, business meetings, workshops, seminars and demonstration tours. 

Our ideal candidate has a passion for agriculture and excellent interpersonal skills accompanied by relevant sales experience, plus post-secondary education in Agriculture, Science or Business.  You supplement these requirements with your strong knowledge of crop protection technology and requirements for pest control, as well as familiarity with crop production practices. You have built a reputation as a leader within your previous roles and you have a proven track record for persuading others and negotiating favorable outcomes for all concerned parties while maintaining exceptional customer relationships and brand integrity. 

Accountabilities

Meet or ideally exceed district sales and profitability targets and objectives by:

• Achieving sales, profit, and market share targets with channel partners, key producers and other customers within the assigned territory as part of the overall sales and marketing plan for the district and broader Commercial Unit
• Developing and maintaining strong and trusted relationships with customers in assigned territory
• Acting as primary liaison for all channel partners and retail accounts within territory which includes developing and implementing annual business plans to influence end-user demand
• Partners with Seed Care and AgriEdge Specialists to develop territory opportunities
• Create demand at the customer level, ensuring that the customer is knowledgeable about our products and has further interest in Syngenta solutions
• Responsible for trade shows, tours and product launches for crop protection within their territory
• Deliver campaigns and offers to targeted customers through selected channel partners
• Act as a steward of the Syngenta portfolio by making recommendations and by managing complaints/issues in the field as needed, in partnership with Agronomy
• Manage operational budget, variable selling expenses, and marketing funds within Commercial Unit / District guidelines

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Marketing, and/or Science
• 2 years of relevant experience, i.e. agronomy, farm, retail within the crop protection or seed industry
• Up to 75% weekly travel within territory is required 
• Must have a valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of agronomics, general cropping practices, agricultural technology and trends and requirements for pest control
• Strong technical knowledge of Syngenta and competitive products
• Demonstrated ability to establish meaningful and impactful relationships with customers and internal colleagues through excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Solid business acumen and ability to understand business financials and price/volume relationships
• Strong negotiating, analytical, problem solving/decision making skills
• Ability to work independently; Strong planning, organization and time management

What We Offer:

• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits

Work Level: 3AWL

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal.
Learn more about our team and our mission here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)

Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)

#LI-DR123

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

As a world market leader in crop protection,
we help farmers to counter these threats
and ensure enough safe, nutritious,
affordable food for all – while minimizing the
use of land and other agricultural inputs.
Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants
safe from planting to harvesting. From the
moment a seed is planted through to
harvest, crops need to be protected from
weeds, insects and diseases
as well as droughts and floods, heat and
cold.
Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered
in Switzerland.