Seed, Soil & Crop Health Strategic Account Manager

UPL Limited (NSE: UPL & BSE: 512070, LSE: UPLL) is a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions, with annual revenue exceeding $6bn. We are a purpose-led company. Through OpenAg®, UPL is focused on accelerating progress for the food system. We are building a network that is reimagining sustainability, redefining the way an entire industry thinks and works – open to fresh ideas, innovation, and new answers as we strive towards our mission to make every single food product more sustainable. As one of the largest agriculture solutions companies worldwide, our robust portfolio consists of biologicals and traditional crop protection solutions with more than 14,000 registrations. We are present in more than 130 countries, represented by more than 10,000 colleagues globally. For more information about our integrated portfolio of solutions across the food value chain including seeds, post-harvest, as well as physical and digital services, please visit upl-ltd.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Job Summary: Manage strategic accounts and serve as trusted advisor to UPL field sales, technical service, marketing, portfolio management and key account managers. Gain a deep understanding of assigned accounts and develop strategies to grow their seed treatment, in-furrow, and soil health business, alongside aligned biological portfolio opportunities. Execute tactics to achieve budgeted sales and profit objectives. Accurately forecast product needs to align with customer demand and supply chain capabilities. Customer and influencer responsibility will include distributor accounts, seed companies, and retail.           

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1/3: In partnership with Crop Protection Key Account Manager (CP KAM), establish strong business relationships with assigned national & regional distributor accounts. Elevate Seed and Soil & Crop Health (SS&CH) to a strategic position with accounts, and work with KAM’s on integrated CP/SAT/NPP road maps, business plans, and offers. 

• Other key initiatives are customer forecasting by quarter; customer planning; drive SS&CH New Product Launches; and driving key UPL initiatives with customers that drive growth.

1/3: Manage relationships with assigned seed companies and specialty distributors.  Identify and prioritize customers with the highest potential, and design offers that match needs and are sustainable over time. 

1/3: Identify and establish strong working relationships with field sales force members who manage large strategic retail accounts. Become a long-term trusted advisor to those identified members – including their regional manager(s).

Required Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree is required with a focus in Agronomy or Agribusiness.
• 10+ years of experience with Seed/Seed Treatment/Crop Protection/Biologicals preferred. 
• Previous experience working with distributors, retailers, agricultural consultants, and key growers to accomplish territory objectives a plus
• Ability to communicate productively with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders. 
• Must be a creative problem solver with strong lateral leadership and active listening skills. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and ability / willingness to learn new platforms as required (e.g., Salesforce & forecasting platforms). 

TRAVEL: Approximately 50% of the time on the job, including overnights.

UPL COMPETENCIES:
Adaptability & Resilience: Recognizes and is open to changing circumstances and alters behavior and scales up as necessary; increases personal awareness and appreciation of individual and cultural differences to create an open, inclusive, and accepting workplace.

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Has a creative mindset and ability to think holistically, takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities.

Results Orientations: Takes action, pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition.

Execution Excellence: Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processes, systems and people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation.

Strategic Orientation: Demonstrates knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors and how they impact business. Identifies key issues that could impact the business and develops strategy through an analytical lens / design thinking.

Building Teams and Talent: Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation, quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments.

Customer Centricity: Understands the customer’s needs and pain points, fulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers.

We are one team, for maximum impact. One team with shared goals. We all play for the team and no one plays against the team. We have a laser-like focus on what our customers need and want, on anticipating their future needs and on how we can create innovative solutions and experiences for them. #UPLJobs