Agronomy Management Associate

General Summary

Develops management skills and leadership competencies through successful completion of Management Training assignments at multiple SSC locations. Oversees key business components in the areas of operations, sales, merchandising, inventory, and financial management. Builds upon previous experience in the agricultural industry to assume increasing levels of management responsibility. Must be willing to relocate to SSC facilities within an assigned region.

Essential Job Functions

Essential Job Functions may vary with each assignment and the merchandise mix, customer base, and business volume at various SSC locations.

• Demonstrate commitment to successfully executing a personalized Management Training Development Plan created in coordination with division leadership, training team, and local facility management. Relocate to multiple facilities within assigned region/division. Continuously communicate with management team to track progress and modify development plan as necessary.

• Collaborate with the management team and employees at each location to generate sales, deliver customer service, and oversee operations. Assume a variety of key responsibilities based on location and personalized development plan. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following functions:

• Sales & Customer Service -- Implement strategies for achieving sales and/or production goals; assist with making on-site sales consultations at customer farms; support front-end, proactively assist showroom customers, resolve customer complaints; coach staff on sales techniques, interpersonal communication skills, product usage, and issue resolution.

• Team Building -- Build positive rapport with team; manage employee issues fairly and consistently; lead team meetings to communicate goals and recognize achievements; remove obstacles to efficient performance; execute staffing plans; create schedules; administer performance reviews and corrective action in coordination with facility management.

• Merchandising -- Develop and implement merchandising strategies for new and existing products; manage and update showroom displays; interpret plan-o-grams; ensure correct pricing; order promotional merchandise and supplies.

• Operations -- Maintain compliance with operating standards; serve as a key holder to open and close facility; review daily, weekly, and monthly metrics reports; support local events; lead equipment maintenance, safety, and housekeeping initiatives.

• Inventory Management -- Oversee warehouse functions, ensure optimum quantities of merchandise and supplies are ordered; lead inventory integrity processes; resolve and prevent issues of loss and tracking errors.

• Financial -- Oversee assigned business office functions such as accounting, payroll, returns processing, inventor receiving & management, customer/vendor relations, AR/AP, credits, and/or other transactions; monitor expenditures and control costs; ensure compliance with policies and regulations.

• Learn and maintain awareness of industry trends, regulations, and updates to SSC products and services through a variety of resources, including: professional organizations, seminars, conferences, training courses, self-study, and on-line tools as outlined in development planning.

• Promote the SSC brand and business philosophy in a positive and customer-focused manner throughout the local community and sales region. Develop a network of both internal and external contacts to increase product, industry, and community knowledge. Attend local meetings, truck rodeos, and customer care conferences. Build business relationships with local civic leaders and patrons.

• Depending upon product mix, research and assess regional merchandising techniques, pricing trends and/or fluctuation in commodities markets. Gather data through observations of competitors and/or market performance. Collaborate with corporate and regional counterparts to ensure proper pricing to optimize inventory supply and profits. Partner with corporate inventory management, replenishment, and merchandising teams.

• Effectively operate all facility equipment, including loaders, spreaders, forklifts, pick-ups, delivery trucks, blenders, and other specialized equipment on-site. Maintain valid licensing and certification as necessary.

• Maintain a clean, safe facility to meet OSHA and EPA regulations and Southern States Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, and all applicable policies and work rules. Lead safety initiatives, safety training, and monitor employees for safe performance. Perform work safely as to not cause harm to yourself, customers, co-workers, equipment, or inventory. Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required. Maintain current Emergency Response Planning records.

• May assume additional functions of the Retail Store Manager, Agronomy Operations Manager, or Plant Superintendent during his/her absence.

• Perform all other job functions as assigned.