For generations, Bengard Ranch has been a stable and growing force in the US vegetable market. As a year-round supplier across major growing regions, we pride ourselves on our quality, reliability and strong customer partnerships, rooted in family values and a commitment to exceptional service. We're seeking a driven Senior Salesperson to capitalize on our established reputation and contribute to our continued growth in a dynamic industry.
GENERAL SUMMARY
Responsible for achieving sales goals and performance metrics for assigned sales territory, accounts or indirect sales channels, and new business development. Responsibilities include sales and customer/supplier commitments for all production seasons throughout California and Arizona. Works closely with Growing, Harvest, and Forecasting to achieve expectations.
PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS
- Primary customer interface for generating sales and managing inquiries regarding products, prices, and product availability within assigned territories or product lines.
- Develops new business through the identification of new customers and expanded product lines or additional volume/product mix for existing customers.
- Identifies potential customers and generates initial contacts. Follows up on various sources of lead generation to establish new business relationships.
- Collaborates with Sales, Harvest, Quality, and Production teams to align customer sales expectations with planting/harvest schedules across various production regions.
- Estimates or quotes prices/contract terms.
- Provides after-sale problem resolution and support.
- Monitors and reports on market conditions, product innovations and competitors’ products relative to assigned territories or product lines.
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with key customers/suppliers, including negotiating and closing on major contracts.
- Supports sales transactions from inception through to delivery.
- Monitors customer payments and manages collections as needed. Works closely with customer and Accounting to minimize aged receivables.
- May travel to production areas or to customer sites to maintain contact as needed.
- Fosters and maintains grower/supplier relationships within assigned product line(s) to ensure effectiveness as well as identify areas of improvement for future planning.
- Monitors Sales metrics including sales account volumes, targets and goals.
- Provides input for budget and cost reports as required for financial planning with management team and V.P. of Sales
OTHER DUTIES
Other duties may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in agri-business/agriculture, business/marketing, or equivalent preferred.
- Advanced knowledge of industry including regulations, guidelines, and standards.
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Access, Excel, and Word) is desired.
- Familiarity with Sales database software a plus.
- Bilingual a plus.
EXPERIENCE
- 10+ years of wide agricultural experience in direct or indirect sales; food or agriculture industry required.
- Knowledge of Famous Software or similar sales database is a plus.
- Proficiency with MS Office, in particular Excel/spreadsheets and ability to create and run reports.
SKILLS REQUIRED
- Stable and established customer relations.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to successfully interact with customers and in-house staff at all levels.
- Ability to keep information confidential.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
- Strong skills in explaining financing and sales programs.
- Ability to manage changing priorities and work under pressure with deadlines.
- High attention to detail and ability to analyze and react to data changes in a highly flexible product scheduling/harvesting environment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time up to 75% of time.
- Ability to work for extended periods in front of a computer screen.
- Travel to multiple growing regions or customer locations as needed.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Occasional field work resulting in exposure to dirt, dust, mud, rain, and wind.
- Occasional cooler work resulting in exposure to cold and noise.
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