Route Sales Associate - Full-time

General Summary

Conducts on-site sales for new and prospective customers to increase market share of SSC retail facilities. Develops an understanding of customer operations and merchandise needs by regularly completing established sales routes. Delivers merchandise to customer locations and takes new sales orders. Contributes to facility sales goals by promoting products and store events, increasing SSC presence in the local community, and providing a "value added" benefit at the customer production site. Spends a minimum of three (3) days per work week selling in the field to customers. 

Essential Job Functions

• Learn and maintain regular sales routes. Determine best schedules and methods to optimize customer engagement, facilitate efficient service, achieve on-time deliveries, and meet sales and other performance targets. Coordinate scheduling, inventory, loading, and merchandise delivery with facility management team. 
• Develop and effectively apply sales skills and product knowledge to foster positive relationships with current and prospective customers. Provide technical information regarding farm management and product usage. Assess product and equipment needs. Recommend products and services that best support the customer's operations. Confirm product delivery schedule and future sales needs with customers. 
• Safely operate SSC motorized vehicles in accordance with SSC polices, DOT regulations and local traffic laws. Vehicles vary by location, and may include: box trucks, pick-up trucks, flat beds, and/or commercial vehicles. 
• Provide timely customer feedback to the facility management team on SSC products and services. Assist in the creation of special product promotions for use in route sales. Communicate with facility manager to determine the proper merchandise to promote based on seasonal demand. 
• Partner with the Field Sales Representative to provide technical assistance as needed, and assist in the coordination and support of all sales programs and special promotions offered by SSC. 
• Maintain reports on delivery and sales to ensure that proper billing, adjustments, returns, and credits are performed according to SSC policy. 
• Promote the SSC brand and business philosophy in a positive and customer-focused manner throughout the local community. Demonstrate professionalism at all times in communication and appearance. Wear approved SSC uniform/attire and operate a neat and well-maintained vehicle. 
• Support facility manager and staff members by promoting teamwork and goodwill to meet all customer requests when possible. Assist with in-store sales, merchandising, housekeeping, loading and unloading transport, inventory management, and other daily operations functions when not on sales and delivery routes. 
• Gain understanding of industry trends, developments, regulations, and updates to SSC products and services. Actively participate in professional organizations, seminars, conferences, training courses, self-study, as required by development planning. Seek continuous development of sales skills including use of Carew Sales Methodology. 
• Perform work safely as to not cause harm to yourself, customers, co-workers, equipment, or inventory. Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required. Operate all equipment according to SSC policy and government regulations. Comply with OSHA regulations, Southern States Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, work rules and policies. 
• Perform all other job functions as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Prefer a Bachelor's Degree or an Associate's Degree from select programs with specialization in agronomy, plant science, animal science, business management, or a related field of study. A combination of completed coursework and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

 Experience:Prefer up to 2 years of sales or customer service experience with knowledge of the agricultural industry. Experience in a retail showroom or warehouse with agricultural products is highly desired. Prior Southern States experience strongly preferred. 

Licensing: Requires a valid Driver's License

May require one or more of the following, or the ability to obtain: Commercial Driver's License, Commercial Pesticide Applicator License, Certified Crop Advisor License, Certified Feed Advisor License 

Requirements:

• This position requires the safe operation of a motor vehicle to perform essential job functions and mandatory compliance with the SSC motor vehicle safety policy
• Able to learn and effectively apply knowledge of a variety of seed, fertilizer, crop protectant, and feed products and services in order to accurately answer questions and make recommendations
• Able to learn and effectively apply knowledge of farm management and crop production best practices to identify needs and advise customers on product and service solutions
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team to achieve store sales targets
• Able to communicate clearly and professionally
• Able to consistently demonstrate customer-focused interpersonal skills
• Able to maintain productive business relationships with area farmers and agricultural community members
• Attention to detail, accuracy and accountability
• Computer literacy to utilize MS Office products and SSC business systems
• Able to work extended hours to meet business demands
• Able to meet travel requirements for sales area
• Able to speak, read, write the English language in a proficient manner 

Work Environment

Essential job functions are primarily performed on-site at customer locations and at SSC retail stores. May regularly work outdoors and may be unprotected from weather conditions and subject to seasonal temperatures and humidity. Requires the frequent operation of a SSC motor vehicle for travel purposes. Travel requirements vary based on location and growing season. 

Frequent exposure to hazards, including:

• Odors, fumes and hazardous chemicals associated with dry and liquid fertilizers, crop protectants, fuel, and other agricultural products and equipment
• Dust, dirt, allergens, insects, pests and other factors associated with inspection of farming, crop production, and/or livestock sites
• Products, supplies, and tools with sharp edges or containing hazardous materials
• Moving mechanical parts and vehicles, vibrations and electric current
• Noise levels where hearing protection is optional per PPE Plan 

Schedule requirements are largely determined by store sales and delivery routes, and are based on independent judgement to optimize travel and customer engagement. Ability to travel during adverse weather conditions may be required. Extended hours may be required at various times including peak growing season. 

Physical Activities & Requirements

Physical activities may vary based on location.

• Continuously bend and stoop; finger, handle and utilize repetitive hand motion with products, soil/plant material, and various tools including computers; utilize eye/hand coordination; twist back and neck. Pull, push, lift, carry up to 30 pounds.
• Frequently balance, climb, and crouch; drive motorized vehicles; reach with arms and hands for extended periods; sit for extended periods; stand and walk for extended periods, at times may be on concrete or outdoors on uneven surfaces. Pull, push, lift, carry 30-50 pounds.
• Occasionally kneel and stack. Pull, push, lift, carry over 50 pounds, may be assisted. 

Must be able to communicate with customers and counterparts in-person and via telephone regarding the daily business of sales, operations, products, services, and safety. Must be able to maneuver over uneven terrain while inspecting customer locations. Must be able to utilize vision and touch to diagnose problems and recommend solutions. Must be able to utilize hearing and vision to operate equipment including a motor vehicle. Specific vision abilities required by this position include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Tools & Equipment

SSC passenger motor vehicle, telephone, hand held radio, computer, printer, scanner, copier, fax machine, writing instrument, reports, logs, spreadsheets. Seed, fertilizer, crop protectant, and/or feed equipment, and other tools, equipment and products as determined by specific location requirements. Commercial motor vehicle use may be required. 

Southern States Cooperative, Inc., is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, family medical history or genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws, or regulations.