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General Purpose and Scope of Position: The Seed Support Manager will be responsible for supporting the defined seed objectives. This will involve supporting the sales and operational strategies of proprietary seed products as well as preferred national supplier brands of corn, soybeans, cotton, alfalfa, and cover crops. Will oversee all operational policies, processes objectives, and initiatives for the Branded Seed business. The Seed Support Manager will support the Vice President of Seed Technology in executing various seed strategies to the seed sales teams and areas. Will also to ensure efficient use of resources to meet customer requirements.

Key Skills and Abilities Include:

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business, or related fields preferred. Will consider other degrees with related operations experience
• Operational experience in the field of warehouse management, transportation, and logistics. A working understanding of third-party logistics service providers or the freight forwarding industry is a must. Exposure to Agribusiness, start-ups and /or large-scale change initiatives a plus
• Have knowledge of environmental, regulatory, and stewardship requirements for various seed technology products
• Strong operational and administrative background with good working knowledge of systems and standard industry practices
• Solid communication skills and people management
• Demonstrated skill in coordinating field input into the business planning and execution process
• Demonstrated ability to comply with safety and regulatory requirements
• Knowledge of computer software and internet to generate reports and inventory data
• Track record in defining processes efficiencies

Key Personal Attributes Include:

• Possess exceptional follow-through skills and both written and verbal communication
• Proven leadership ability including ability to build relationships with cross functional team members
• Build/maintain strong relationships with seed sales team, customers and key market influencers
• Work effectively within a team environment
• Understands the needs and values of the seed sales teams and to develop solutions to meet objectives
• Be results driven, overcoming obstacles & finding creative solutions
• Work independently with minimum supervision. Strong time management skills with the ability to set priorities
• Work in and adapt to a rapidly changing business environment
• Ability to develop teams and demonstrate leadership qualities
• Commitment to performance development with direct reports

Specific Responsibilities and Key Deliverables Include:

• Identify and lead seed related operational improvement initiatives across the company and act as subject matter expert on seed related processes
• In cooperation with other departments, primarily accounting, help develop and refine accounting processes that improve operational effectiveness across all brands/species
• Manage and track replant and return programs from preferred seed partners
• Manage and track preferred seed partners seed sales program funding and marketing
• Support overall seed pricing structure, standardized seed order form and processes
• Provide support for dealers, alliance and wholesale seed partners selling efforts
• Support the sales and operations team overall efforts to meet sales and profit objectives
• Provide support for Seed Sales Representatives and Contracted Agent selling efforts
• Support preferred seed partners data entries into internal sales ordering platform
• Support selling efforts of the sales team to meet sales and profit objectives
• Maintain a thorough agronomic and technical knowledge of proprietary products and services to support some customer complaints and work to resolve them
• Suggest improvements or alternative tactics to help achieve seed goals
• Promote safety culture while aligning with internal corporate social responsibility criteria

Relationship Manager and Influencer:

• Manage engagement with suppliers to ensure fulfillment of contracted agreements. Identify and execute joint value creation opportunities in the supply chain network and with key third-party suppliers
• Work with team and purchasing group to ensure optimum inventory and timely delivery of products. Ensuring process execution across all operational functions to attain Operational Excellence
• Forecast demand, inventory, suppy and lead times based on the sales forecast, actual demand and capacity forecasts needed to optimize service levels.
• Work in partnership with Sales to ensure customer centricity and operational excellence
• Work with sales and support groups to develop strategy and ensure alignment
• Partner with accounting to ensure expenses are managed and forecasting executed

Compensation and Benefits:

• In compliance with all states and cities requiring transparency of pay, the base compensation for this position ranges from $82,300 - $109,780. Wages mayvary based on location, skills, and experience. This position is eligible for many benefits, such as vacation, holidays, health, dental, vision, mental health, and retirement plan participation, including an employer contribution of up to 7% into your 401(k). Follow this link for more information regarding Wilbur-Ellis employee benefits,