Feed Sales Representative - Purina Grass Cattle

Feed Sales Representative - Purina Grass Cattle

We're hiring a Feed Sales Representative to focus primarily on Grass Cattle and Dairy sales with our partner co-op in the Trenton, Illinois territory. This role focuses on selling feed and all related products that will optimize the cooperative/dealer's market share and savings, improve the cooperative/dealer's efficiency, and help to achieve the cooperative/dealers mission and goals.

This is a remote (virtual) field-based sales position that must be located within the geographic territory of Trenton, Illinois.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Calling on dairy and grass cattle owners to evaluate existing feeding programs, and to recommend and assist them with their nutritional programs.
• Selling/consulting at the farm gate (up to 25 farm calls per week) with the end goal of selling Purina products and programs and growing sales and market share. This includes developing new prospects and making sales cold calls.
• Organizing and conducting effective educational meetings/events for 4H clubs, saddle clubs, vets, trainers, lifestyle show clubs, etc. to enhance Purina's brand image, sell product and build store traffic with local co-op/dealer.

Required Experience/Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, related agricultural field. Candidates without Bachelor's degree who possess proven sales and industry experience may be considered.
• Basic command of making nutritional and feeding recommendations to dairy and grass cattle owners in the market.
• Candidate should have an understanding of animal husbandry, current management practices, and nutritional guidelines, general market, and industry knowledge. Work/life experience in management and care of both dairy and grass cattle.
• Competent in providing accurate feeding and management recommendations
• Strong computer skills, specifically MS Office, plus the ability to be trained on ration balancing software (HerdSmart), Salesforce etc.

Required Competencies & Other Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication along with strong organization and time management skills.
• High internal drive, a natural ability for relationship building, and leadership in a team environment.
• Ability and drive to make multiple daily sales calls to customers and prospects operations.
• On farm interaction, in all-weather types at producer facilities for a walk through, and animal evaluations.
• Ability to network in the industry to put producers together to earn additional business and relationships
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Solid public speaking skills

Preferred Experience & Education:

• Strong background and previous professional experience with dairy and grass cattle.
• Member of clubs/organizations related to the livestock industry in a leadership position.
• Previous sales experience desired.

Percentage of travel: 15% overnight travel, in addition to daily travel in the assigned geography.

This is a sales role that is compensated with a target mix of base salary plus commission. Base salary is dependent upon experience/tenure and generally ranges between $53,000-$65,000. Target bonus is: $10,000. In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges.