Job Purpose: Ward Laboratories is an agriculture testing laboratory dedicated to serving farmers and ranchers. We specialize in testing soils, plants, feed, forages, water, manures, and fertilizers. We are seeking an Account Development and Agronomy Support Manager to join our team. Duties would include but are not limited to, driving sales and communications with current and perspective customers to develop new business and grow organically. Give professional agronomic support to new and current customers. Facilitate customer development through quality customer service and education. Develop, implement, promote, and follow through on actions and activities to increase and retain the customer base.

Essential Job Results:

Quality Assurance/Quality Control Responsibilities

• Regularly evaluate seasonal sampling volume with HR Business manager to effectively meet expected volume and productivity objectives.
• Meet with Lab manager, Department supervisors, and Sample processing to ensure projects are being communicated and deadlines are being met as necessary.
• Identify strategies and objectives for productivity improvement, whether related to people, equipment or creativity.
• Ensure that all quotes and customer inquiries are handled with accuracy and urgency in accordance with established procedures.
• Resolve customer service problems by clarifying the customer's complaint; determining the cause of the problem; selecting and explaining the best solution to solve the problem; expediting corrections or adjustments; following up to ensure resolutions

Internal/External Relationship Responsibilities

• Ensure Ward Laboratories maintains collaborative working relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Identify new markets for growth.
• Strategically plan out sales strategy to fit the needs of the business.
• Develop new customer relationships and maintain current relationships to promote new and organic growth in sample volume and revenue.
• Participate in all needed and necessary marketing campaign communication needs with current and prospective customers.
• A clear understanding of farming and ranching needs and strong relationships with various community partners
• Answer customer inquiries and questions regarding Soil, Soil Health, Plant tissue, slurry, manure and Feed testing.
• Attend and actively participate at conferences and trade shows regarding soil health.
• Assists in promoting the organization through participation in community events, media campaigns, and other public relations activities.
• Always maintains the highest level of professionalism in activities and appearance.

Success Factors

• Strong leadership skills based on confidence, competence, and ability to provide mentoring and support to others.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills, with ability to work with a wide variety of individuals and personalities in an honest way that exhibits integrity.
• A strategic thinker who develops appropriate markets for testing while understanding both the scientific basis and the business needs.
• A positive attitude and strong work ethic with the ability to work effectively within the values, structure, and mission of the organization.
• Detail oriented while maintaining a “big picture” outlook.
• Excellent organization skills as there are many deadlines and multiple responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of CRM and other customer and lead management tools

Specific Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Ag-Business or related field of study.
• 1 to 3 years of professional sales/account management experience or 1+ years of experience working in the agriculture industry.
• Current CCA or willingness to obtain CCA
• Willingness to travel both daytime and overnight.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record required.
• Always maintains the highest level of profesionalism in activities and appearance.

No Ward Laboratories employee shall practice, condone, facilitate or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, or any other protected condition or status. Employees will be expected to be sensitive and responsive to cultural and other differences in the people they work with and serve.