Seed Product Manager at Land O'Lakes, Inc. in ARDEN HILLS, Minnesota

Job Description:

Seed Product Manager

This position is remote (virtual) and can work from home but must be located within eastern South Dakota or Southern Minnesota.

The Seed Product Manager supports the national marketing team for proprietary brands making product life cycle decisions, choosing new products, market support and development of row crops business based on their geography. They are also the expert resource for their sales business unit on the seed product portfolio including products and tools for both proprietary brands and partner offerings. Responsibilities include communication of strategic direction for the seed business portfolio, evaluating products, forecasting and production planning on proprietary brands, technical expertise, and training on seed products and tools.

The ideal candidate is expected to live within the geography covered (Minnesota and Eastern South Dakota).

Key Responsibilities

Product Development and Portfolio Management

• Collaborates with the seed marketers to implement strategies on forecasting, product advancement, production planning, and lifecycle management for Croplan and Armor portfolio making Winfield United the 4th largest seed company in the U.S.
  
  


• Leads seed needs assessment plan by understanding potential genetic releases, in-field evaluation and by collaborating with suppliers.
  
  


• Incorporates the plan into a final process for the BU and ensures coordination with the overall business plan.
  
  


• Evaluate seed product releases in Answer Plots and trials to support the tiered product strategy (brand ladder).
  
  


• Supports partner brand offerings to drive complementary brand strategy.
  
  

Training and Communication

• Accountable as the primary resource for the field BU team on the communication and execution of seed portfolio strategies
  
  


• Ensures internal training plans are developed, implemented and the sales staff is prepared to execute technically.
  
  


• Develops and executes experiences, conferences, and training to lead WinField United's seed position within our internal sales staff and key owner events.
  
  


• Defines and executes support efforts according to the Account Plan.
  
  


• Collaborates with the other functional experts (for example - Technical Development Manager) to set direction on overall strategy for BU data, products, agronomic messaging and coordinates cross-functional training or conferences within the BU
  
  

Marketing Input and Support

• Leads technical production, direction and messaging of proprietary seed brands (Croplan and Armor) and help build a systems approach with our partner brands.
  
  


• Manages the implementation and final review of technical information to support marketing and the seed guide.
  
  


• Engages with marketing leadership and leverages knowledge by providing resources, trends, and direction for strategic needs in each product category.
  
  


• Responsible to guide our data and insights into material resources used for sales support.
  
  


• Leads development of promotional and training materials for the entire brand ladder including but not limited to technical bulletins, podcasts and videos.
  
  


• Builds local agronomic recommendations and technical positioning of the overall seed portfolio including signature, performance, and battle products in alignment with the total acre solution within the BU.
  
  


• Supports partner brands seed offerings while focusing on proprietary products.
  
  

Research Protocols and Data Management

• Collaborates with APD on Answer Plots and sets on-farm trials and Insight trial plot strategies for seed products, services and clinics within the BU.
  
  


• Creates Answer Plot demo designs and content and partners with the Market Development Specialist on content delivery.
  
  


• Leads collaboration externally with agronomic experts and technical teams from other companies, universities, and government agencies.
  
  


• Provides strategic direction and appropriate protocols for seed data needs to the data team, product management and seed marketing.
  
  

Job Scope:

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

• R&D and training budget
  
  


• Ownership to deliver on average $200mm in seed sales.
  
  


• This position covers Minnesota and South Dakota.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture or business-related field plus 5 years of industry experience; or an equivalent of 10 years of successful work experience in agronomy
  
  


• Experience coaching, training, and executing technical agronomic decisions and developing and educating others on products, services, and programs.
  
  


• Advanced degree including MS or PhD in agronomy or closely related field is preferred, but not required.
  
  


• Advanced understanding of seed crop growth and development and physiology for core crops relevant to geography as well as environmental & agronomic factors that influence crop productivity. Also, in-depth understanding of crop nutrients including soil health.
  
  


• Experience training in the classroom, in the field, and virtually.
  
  


• Ability to create working relationships internally and externally and leads through influence.
  
  


• 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.
  
  


• Proven ability to coordinate and collaborate with multiple stakeholders and to influence at all levels.
  
  


• Ability to work independently and manage productivity.
  
  


• Experience demonstrating agility and leading/adapting quickly to change.
  
  


• Proficient in Microsoft Applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); virtual collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom); and CRM software (Salesforce)
  
  


• Must have current and valid state driver's license.
  
  

Essential Functions/Work Environment:

• Ability to travel up to 40%, including evenings and some weekends; may require working long hours during peak seasons.
  
  

Competencies:

• Execute as a Valued Business Partner
  
  


• Drive for Total Acre Solutions
  
  


• Lead and Embrace Change
  
  


• Demonstrate Agility
  
  


• Execute with Focus and Accountability
  
  


• Engage and Include
  
  


• Act Strategically
  
  


• Make Insightful Decisions
  
  


• Exemplify Land O'Lakes wide leadership competencies: Collaboration, Innovation, Courage, Ownership, and Decisiveness.
  
  

The salary range for this role is $92,000 - $138,000

As a full time employee, you will receive a wide range of benefits for you and your dependents:

• 3 medical plan choices including HSA plan options

• Vision & dental plan

• Company paid Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability, parental leave, caregiver leave and emergency leave

• 401(k) plan with company match and additional automatic contribution regardless of participation

• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays and Employee Assistance Program

• Wellness program focused on Physical, Financial and Emotional Health with opportunity for cash incentives

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.