About UFC

United Farmers Cooperative is always looking for great people that want to explore a fit with us. Whether you are a producer with agricultural experience, an agronomist, energy or feed expert, or someone looking for new challenges and opportunities, a career with UFC is a great opportunity. 

Along with competitive wages, United Farmers Cooperative offers a number of attractive employee benefits, advancement opportunities, bonuses, recognitions, training benefits and a culture of safety and work/life balance.

United Farmers Cooperative (UFC) is a farmer-owned cooperative that was formed in 1915 in the town of Lafayette, Minnesota. Over the next 100+ years of business, UFC would undergo many changes to meet the evolving needs of members in a changing world. 

Since its start, UFC has grown from one location and two employees to 175+ employees with multiple locations serving members across several Central Minnesota counties. Today, UFC is an innovative and diverse cooperative striving to meet and exceed its members expectations through several business units including United Natural Gas, Agronomy, Energy, Ag Equipment, Grain Handling Systems, Feed and Grain. 

Job Overview

UFC is looking for an Account Manager to join the Agronomy Sales Team. This position drives sales efforts of all UFC agronomy products and services by engaging in direct selling activities with assigned accounts. 

Primary Objectives of the Position

• Direct selling of agronomy products and services to assigned customer accounts and prospects.
• Provide product and service recommendations to customers that results in improved growth and profitability for UFC.
• Accountable for developing and maintaining customer business relationships for UFC Agronomy accounts the Account Manager is responsible for.
• Responsible for upholding and building the UFC brand as it pertains to members, customers, peers, employees, and suppliers.

Major Areas of Accountability

Coordinates the dialogue between the customer and other UFC Business unit professionals as needed.

• Directs the coordination, implementation and culmination of all retail sales programs, promotions, and services. 
• Creates value to the grower & UFC through effective management of field plots, trials, product positioning, and product demonstrations.
• Collaborates with Sales Manager to create and establish short and long-term sales strategies to support the achievement of UFC sales objectives.
• Evaluates and recommends enhancements for retail sales programs, promotions, and services.
• Prepare and conduct grower meetings, presentations, and proposals.
• Actively engages with members, customers, UFC employees, general public and competitors in a positive and professional manner.
• Routinely provides business relevant feedback from field observations to the UFC Leadership team and supervising manager.   
• Coordinates with appropriate staff to develop and enhance the sales performance of each department.
• Complies with and enforces company safety program.
• Proposes topics and provides information for communications directed to customers and prospects. 
• Complies with all laws and regulations.
• Attends appropriate training sessions as part of programs of continuing education.
• Other duties as assigned. 

United Farmers Cooperative, along with competitive wages, offers a number of work/life benefits and services!

Medical Benefit – High Deductible Health Plan with HSA. Wellness component and a prescription drug program.

Single coverage

Single plus child, or single plus spouse

Family coverage

Other benefits include: Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, 401K Plan with 6% Employer Match, Flex Spending Accounts for Medical and Daycare, Profit Sharing, Uniform Program, Employee Discounts, Shop Tool Reimbursement Program, Tuition Reimbursement Program, Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, Direct deposit payroll, Family Leave, Awards Recognition program, Ongoing employee training paid by UFC, Employee referral bonus and Scholarship program.

Qualifications

Education: 

• Post high school training at either the vocational or college level. Experience may be substituted for education.

Experience:  

• 2+ Years previous sales experience desirable
• Sales and/or management training preferred
• Good people skills necessary
• Strong written and verbal skills necessary
• Agricultural background helpful
• Cooperative background desirable but not necessary

Other: 

• Hold a valid driver’s license 
• Must be able to lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 pounds, have full use of both arms and legs and good finger and manual dexterity.
• Must be able to climb stairs, reach above, below and at shoulder level, work on or with moving machinery, at unprotected heights, with dust, fumes or gas exposure, in temperature extremes and outside.