Key Agriculture Account Manager

Sound Agriculture

Sound Agriculture

People & HR, Sales & Business Development
Remote
Posted on Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Why you should join us:

At Sound Agriculture, we believe our food system can nourish consumers while benefiting farming communities and the planet. Through a deeper understanding of plant and microbial biology, we are leveraging the natural power of plants to make agriculture more agile and resilient. Our work focuses on developing nutrient efficiency products and modernizing plant breeding to improve the way we farm and the food we eat.

Sound is a Series D startup funded by leading investors in food and agriculture including Leaps by Bayer, Syngenta Group Ventures, S2G Ventures, BMO Impact Investment Fund, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Fall Line Capital, Cavallo Ventures, FootPrint Coalition and Northpond Ventures.

What you'll do:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Key Account Manager (KAM) to join our team and lead the charge in selling our portfolio of Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) products to the largest and most progressive row-crop farmers in the United States. This role focuses on building and maintaining strong relationships with a targeted list of key accounts, understanding their unique needs, and providing tailored solutions to enhance their productivity and profitability.

This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of agronomy, a passion for fostering strong customer relationships, and a proven track record in driving sales growth. The Key Account Manager reports to the VP, Sales. This position is based remotely and is expected to travel at least 50% of the time.


Compensation Target

$167,000 to $185,000 on-target earnings.

(one hundred twenty-two thousand to one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars base salary, plus forty-five to fifty thousand dollars variable commission target). Commission targets are uncapped and measured by sales against quota, with accelerators that increase commission to 125% above target. Commission earnings are paid three times annually.

Sound reserves the ability to adjust the compensation range based on the final candidate’s experience, skillset, and geography. In addition to on target earnings, we offer above average equity grants for the industry as we believe that every employee should have a stake in the company’s growth. If you’re above this compensation target, we encourage you to reach out and discuss the entire package and opportunity before deciding not to pursue this position.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain long-term relationships with the largest and most innovative row-crop farmers in the US.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for key accounts, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Conduct regular on-farm visits to understand customer operations, challenges, and needs.
  • Build and execute an effective forecasting process with key accounts, identifying and pursuing prospects to expand our list of customers strategically.
  • Gain deep insights into the agronomic practices and business goals of key accounts.
  • Provide expert advice on product placement, demonstrating how Sound Agriculture’s portfolio of products can improve Nutrient Use Efficiency and improve profitability.
  • Offer customized solutions that align with the latest advancements in agricultural technology and practices.
  • Develop and implement strategic sales plans tailored to each key account.

Targeted Skills & Experience

  • Proven experience selling into 10k+ acre operations across the US.
  • Demonstrated success achieving sales and revenue targets in the crop inputs space.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with aptitude in building relationships with professionals of all organizational levels.
  • Excellent organizational, presentation and delivery skills.
  • Ability to adapt, problem-solving and skilled at negotiation.

#LI-REMOTE

This role demonstrates our core values by:

  • Boldness: Building and expanding product sales and education within new markets, creating and achieving ambitious goals with direct sales to key accounts.
  • Ownership: Taking charge of relationships, building trust and respect among some of the highest profile customers in the agriculture industry. Training and educating clients and providing tailored solutions.
  • Tenacity: Being determined and not quitting on your goal when it gets hard or things aren’t happening quickly. Setbacks or obstacles will happen; not letting those obstacles faze you because you are focused on the end goal.
  • Creativity: Outside the box approach to thinking when it comes to marketing, promotion, support and education. Collaboration and strong communication skills to ensure support and execution.

What we offer:

  • Opportunity to work in a disruptive startup with a talented, experienced, and growing team of dedicated individuals
  • Competitive total rewards package, including equity
  • Performance bonus structure or uncapped commission plan for sales positions
  • Comprehensive health care plans that include Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
  • Flex Spending Account (Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter Benefit)
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Generous flexible paid time off
  • Paid parental leave
  • Mental health and wellbeing benefits
  • In-person and virtual events and engagement activities (we actually like hanging out with each other!) (e.g. First Fridays, Meditation, Potlucks, Cultural Events, Running and Climbing groups, Photo Contests, weekly Team lunch, etc.)

Sound Agriculture does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies responding to job postings. We will not respond to unsolicited requests to submit candidates.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We seek a diverse pool of applicants and consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, ancestry, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, Veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status.

Sound participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Sound is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before Sound takes any action, including terminating your employment.