Manager, Sales and Customer Solutions

The Manager, Sales & Customer Solutions is responsible for food, personal care and industrial sectors.  This includes developing sales and driving growth through multiple market channels, collaborating with team members and supporting desired culture in an earlier stage and quickly developing company. AgCertain has a growing portfolio, and the Team will adapt, learn and adjust as required. This role is based in Ames, Iowa with travel expected a minimum of 25%, including some weekend travel.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Operate safety and appropriately in all AgCertain situations and environments

• Drive sales growth for oil, co-products and derivatives through multiple market channels including food manufacturers, personal care, specialty chemical distribution and others

• Create a pipeline of sales to support stated growth plan

• Develop and manage a diverse portfolio of customers which optimizes current manufacturing capabilities

• Serve as a main point-of-contact for customers and developing accounts including sales, contract administration, and after-hours responsibilities and requests

• Assess market trends to develop a go-to-market strategy for each channel that diversifies AgCertain’s product portfolio, supporting industry-wide sales and securing optimal operational performance

• Manage assigned contract manufacturing relationships and market risk positions associated with these relationships

• Negotiate and execute long-term customer contracts with sophisticated national and international customers

• Prepare sales forecast and gross margin budgets; report regularly to the President & CEO on performance relative to budget

• Serve on, and as required lead, cross-departmental teams and initiatives

• Actively participate in New Product Development team meetings and in production scheduling meetings

• Provide direction and prioritization in the development of new markets and products through market analysis including potential profitability

• Develop professional and technical knowledge by attending appropriate professional conferences/tradeshows and through independent study; expand business networks through participation in professional organizations as directed by AgCertain

• Participate in credit management and collection as needed

• Utilize and participate in CRM and other tracking systems as required

• Be an active member of the Crisis Management Team, Recall Team, and Food Safety Team with a working understanding of the food safety and quality Safety Team with a working understanding of the food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMP, and SQF) to ensure product quality

• Participate in all company trainings

• Perform additional duties as assigned

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Sales, Management or related field; Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred

• Minimum three (3) years sales experience and three (3) years manufacturing industry experience preferred

• Proven track record of positive sales performance

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations and the ability to interact professionally and effectively with internal and external customers

• Ability to implement a sales plan and meet goals by monitoring progress according to plan

• Excellent management and leadership skills including mentoring and coaching of junior and other team members

• High attention to detail

• Sales data analysis

• Budget development skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, ERP systems, CRM systems, and sales contracts

• Act with integrity, candor, excellence, curiosity, honesty, and a commitment to safety

• Abide by Good Manufacturing Practices in all areas of the facility