Organic Product Specialist

  • Full-time
  • Department: Sales

Company Description

Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc., is a company of diverse businesses unified by shared values and vision. We serve the agriculture, mining, industrial and water reclamation markets with a broad range of products and technologies, worldwide. Serving these customers well is a passion and a commitment-one which the people of TKI find rewarding, empowering and meaningful.

Crop Vitality a global brand within the Tessenderlo family has demonstrated its commitment to nurturing crop life through innovation, research and the development of sustainable crop nutrition for agriculture. Our diverse product portfolio addresses the challenges of modern agriculture by combining essential nutrients to improve soil health, increase water infiltration and maximize nutrient uptake. 

If you want the work you do to make a positive impact on the world in which we live, working alongside innovative, quality-focused people of vision, then TKI is the right place for you.

Job Description

Role Description:

Crop Vitality (CV), the leading producer of sulfur-based plant nutrition and originator of Thio-Sul®, has an exciting opportunity to continue growing from the ground up. 

Join the CV team as its Organic Product Specialist and play a pivotal role in developing a distinctive market place for our newly established organic fertilizer platform, while driving best in class services and support to our customers. 

The ideal candidate will be energetic, self-motivated, and enjoy cultivating meaningful partnerships while being a trusted team player.  You will have a depth of knowledge and documented experiences promoting and managing a portfolio of organic fertilizers with a solid agriculture background both in sales and agronomy.  In addition, you will bring to the position a thorough understanding of the National Organic Program (NOP), Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI), and relevant state and regional organic certifying agencies. 

If you meet these qualifications and are looking to play a vital role and make an impact, we encourage you to read more and consider applying to the Organic Product Specialist.

Please Note: We are hiring (2) Product Specialist.  The other position will be supporting the eastern region.  If this location is more desirable, please apply for this opportunity at: https://smrtr.io/4n-zL

Key Accountabilities:

Research and Analysis -

  • Research and analyze market conditions including identifying key competitor and customer trends
  • Define market requirements and opportunities and product strategies in line with 5-year plan
  • In conjunction with VP Sales and Marketing and Manager of Agronomy, identify opportunities for product innovation and product enhancements
  • Develop and implement pricing strategies and tactics for dry product portfolio
  • Provide BU CV Product Management and agronomic support to CV Organic Products to be sold and marketed in the US, Canada (and Mexico.)

Product Planning and Management -

  • Determine appropriate product specifications to insure compliance with organic standards set forth by the National Organic Program (NOP)
  • Define the long-term strategy of the BU CV product portfolio and create individual and integrated product road maps
  • Obtain necessary certifications to allow for product use in USDA certified organic farming operations (OMRI, appropriate state certifications, leafy green etc.)
  • Work closely with TK International on potential opportunities for collaboration
  • Prepare product documents including market requirement documents and product use cases to drive product activity
  • Develop pricing strategies and product policies. These to be agreed with BU Leadership
  • Determine product packaging solutions, specific to meet identified business opportunities
  • Manage and communicate with CV/ TK Int and cross functional teams., to increase and strengthen multiple product and service offerings to current and new customers 
  • Seek and develop co-branding opportunities with current and new customers

Product Marketing -

  • Liaise with innovation and marketing team regarding product develop and execute programs for educating various retail and grower channels on the Crop Vitality product line and value proposition. (i.e. Webinars, Grower Meetings, Research Farm Events, etc.) to generate product awareness and demand
  • Design and conduct product presentations, attend trade shows, Brand Ambassador role
  • Train other CV Specialists in product applications and technical specifications
  • Develop sales tools and sales training material
  • Supply sales with latest research and marketing information implement marketing plan in conjunction with all departments Work with and on press releases, magazine articles
  • Drive ongoing improvement in sales and profitability in conjunction with VP Sales and Marketing and Manager of Agronomy

Customer and End User Support -

  • Manage product-related support, feedback and inquiries from users point of investigation for customer complaints, following established quality standards.
  • Co-ordinate market research to track customer and end – user feedback
  • Monitor product inventory Involved in long range planning and optimization processes and create long term forecasts for product growth
  • Work with Agronomy team to coordinate and execute product research to support sales and innovation
  • Use market feedback to steer product refinements and ongoing development

Qualifications

Key Knowledge Skills and Behaviors:

  • Strong knowledge and documented experience with specialty and organic fertilizers is required
  • A bachelor’s degree in marketing, Ag Communication, Agronomy, or a related field with a minimum 3-5 years of experience in agribusiness
  • Strong communication skills: must be fluent in English with the ability to read, write and present technical information one-on-one and to large groups
  • Working knowledge of customer segments and needs, including crop production and input practices, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers and growers
  • Problem analysis and solving
  • Flexibility to travel domestically and abroad
  • Organizational and planning skills
  • Ability to work in a team environment

Additional Information

Why join TKI:

  • Work/life balance
  • Fun and rewarding environment
  • Learning, development and team work
  • Community involvement/outreach
  • Challenging and meaningful work

Benefits & Rewards:

  • Medical-Dental-Vision-Prescription (low employee premiums!)
  • 401k Plan with dollar for dollar matching, up to the first 5% of employee contribution
  • 401k Company Retirement Contribution at year-end, equal to 4% of annual base salary
  • Short-Term Incentive awards based on measured performance criteria
  • Life Insurance – 2x Annual Base Salary
  • Paid vacation & sick time & 10 paid holidays per year
  • Tuition Reimbursement- up to $5,000 per calendar year- Non Taxable
  • Adoption Assistance-up to $7,500 in reimbursement assistance
  • Business Travel Life & Accident Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Telemedicine program - for you and your dependents
  • Long-Term Disability insurance
  • Company referral program
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