JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS was established in 1973 by our Founder and Chairman, Rob Johnston, Jr. Today we are 100% Employee Owned. Johnny’s mission is Helping families, friends, and communities to feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, information, and service. Johnny’s is renowned for our exceptional customer service offering seeds, tools, supplies, and information to direct-market growers and avid home gardeners. We source, breed, trial, and sell outstanding selected varieties of vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, and farm seed, as well as thoughtfully designed tools and equipment. We take pride in the wealth of information and depth of experience we offer our customer base, nationwide and globally. We are a strong, stable company focused on growth while still maintaining our small company feel and staying true to our roots. Beautiful Central Maine, where our research farm, warehouse, and offices are located, is the perfect launching point for an active, four season lifestyles. Geographically situated halfway between Maine’s mountains and its 4500-mile-long coastline, we’re a short drive away from resorts, parks, and harbors renowned for a rich diversity of recreational and cultural opportunities. If you are passionate about good, healthy food and would choose to work for a company with fellow co-owners who are passionate about our mission and values, Johnny’s may be the place for you!

National Sales Manager Position Summary

The Sales Manager plays a significant role as a leader focused on customer satisfaction and attaining the long and short-term sales and customer count goals for Johnny’s. The Sales Manager will directly manage a set of Territory Sales Representatives

This position is full-time, exempt, located in Fairfield, Maine.

The ideal candidate would need to be highly motivated sales management professional with proven success in the seed industry or agriculture-related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual sales strategy that results in company business growth - Adapt tactics/strategy to ensure goals are met
• Develop annual goals for improved KPI/Metric results. Deliver ongoing reporting and analyses that tie direct activities to sales, new customer growth and increased customer retention and satisfaction
• Prepare an annual budget; determine spending priorities to maximize new customer capture and the retention of existing customer; manage monthly expenses, analyzing variances and initiate corrective actions as needed
• Directly supervise a staff of ten-twelve direct employees and through strong recruiting, training, and coaching improve the productivity and effectiveness of the sales team and their sales efforts
• Develop and manage industry relationships to effectively promote JSS as the primary seed source to our market
• Work with trialing team to evaluate products and provide customers feedback that results in best variety selection- suggestions to research • Provide collaborative input to internal marketing team members and leverage all marketing initiatives
• Manages the overall trade shows schedule that results in improves regional territory sales
• Make important contributions to assigned company project teams-Pricing Annually/others
• Generate operational improvements that can be used company-wide
• Responsible for developing monthly and annual Area/Territory sales forecast by variety for key account
• Builds training plans to help develop jobs skills for self and sales team
• Resolve difficult customer situations when issues arise- including following up on collections of accounts as needed
• Monitors competition to enhance sales efforts focus by gathering current marketplace information on pricing, products, delivery schedules, shipping fees, merchandising, sales volume
• Provide overall leadership and direction to Sales Team, provide coaching, performance feedback, and conduct performance assessments
• Maintain professional knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, participating in professional societies

Education

• BS/BA in science or horticulture preferred, with experience in advising, training, or counseling commercial vegetable growers in customer-focused environment preferred
• Preference will be given to sales professionals with 5+ years of relevant sales experience in the seed/agriculture industry

Qualifications & Skills

• Knowledge in both field growing and greenhouse or hydroponic growing is a plus
• Sales skill expertise: skilled negotiator, problem solver, and closer with the ability to anticipate needs, and develop long-term business relationships
• Deep knowledge of vegetable seed market required
• Demonstrated ability to grow and manage sales professionals
• Proficiency with PCs and Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities • Ability to present detailed information about Johnny’s products and have knowledge of alternative products in the market
• Proven ability to learn and share difficult technical information
• Excellent organizational, supervisory and time management skills
• Ability to travel to all areas of the assigned territory
• Track record of meeting or exceeding sales goals
• Preference will be given to professionals with supervisor or personnel management experience

Physical Requirements

• Drivers License is required, with the ability to visit farms/customers.
• Ability to work varied hours/days as business dictates.
• Ability to sit at a computer for at least 60% of the workday.
• Ability to work amongst bees and other insects.

Benefits

• Health Insurance (HMO, PPO, HSA)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (Medical & Dependent Care)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Profit Sharing
• 401(k) • Employee Discount
• Maternity/Paternity/Adoption & Foster Care Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Company Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Educational Assistance

Applications

Click HERE to apply online

Johnny’s Selected Seeds is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability or handicap, or veteran status.