Join our team!

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

(The following list is not a comprehensive but highlights the major areas of responsibility for the position) 

Marketing Strategy & Leadership 

• Facilitate ongoing brand development, implementation, and periodic reevaluation of brand strategies for all of our product offerings. 
• Partner with Sales and Product teams to promote the company vision and develop and drive product strategy. 
• Develop and oversee execution of online marketing/ad strategy including SEO and utilize analytics and metrics to evaluate and improve effectiveness. 
• Develop and oversee execution of website content strategy. 
• Develop and oversee execution of social media strategy. 
• Direct the Creative Manager in the production of catalogs and direct-mail pieces. 
• Participate in senior-level discussions of company strategy and opportunities. 

 Market Analysis, Benchmarking, & Outreach  

• Perform ongoing competitive insight and market research. 
• Stay current in the industry by attending workshops, conferences, trade shows, field days, and maintaining personal and professional networks.   
• Develop and monitor performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of our marketing efforts. 

 Marketing Team Operations & Performance 

• Oversee the marketing department, marketing operations, and approach. 
• Develop and manage marketing budget. 
• Communicate the marketing plan, goals, strategy, and expectations for marketing activities to the marketing and leadership teams. 
• Design and implement marketing processes that lead to marketing plan success. 
• Establish and maintain effective marketing management practices which track both activities and results. 
• Coordinate photo and video shoots and manage the development and coordination of advertising and social media to leverage these assets.    
• Oversee production and editing of raw video footage from sales and marketing staff. 
• Support the marketing team in tactical execution of marketing activities during peak times and as needed to ensure company success. 

 Offsite & In-Field Marketing Activities 

• Travel to trade shows and events, approximately 1-4 per month. 
• Photography, video and interviews for farm and dealer visits. 

 People Management 

• Ensure department and teams are properly structured and staffed to meet organizational objectives.  
• Create and oversee optimal departmental design to deliver service while controlling costs. 
• Develop and manage a departmental staffing budget. 
• Identify and approve any required changes to the department including role changes and/or additions of new positions. 
• Review applications, conduct interviews, make hiring decisions, and partner with HR to ensure effective onboarding and training of new staff. 
• Partner with HR to periodically review and update staff compensation levels in alignment with wider market compensation and total rewards survey data. 
• Provide supervision to direct reports to enable them to meet their goals.  
• Establish individual performance goals and objectives, and communicate them to direct reports. 
• Develop and implement strategies to assist direct reports and team in achieving goals. 
• Ensure employees receive ongoing feedback to help them achieve and maintain a high level of performance. 
• Ensure team members stay in compliance with job roles, laws, regulations and policies. 
• Conduct employee performance reviews. 
• Design and implement corrective and disciplinary action as needed. 
• Manage conflict among departmental staff and support in resolving issues promptly and effectively. 
• Ensure direct reports receive coaching and development to support their long-term professional development.  
• Provide targeted coaching and support to direct reports to help them advance their stated career goals. 
• Ensure direct reports have access to professional development opportunities (e.g., training, job shadowing, attending events) to support their growth. 

Member of Leadership Team 

• Set clear functional goals and priorities aligned to execution of company strategy. 
• Lead and motivate direct reports and/or departmental team to achieve company goals and objectives providing guidance and support where needed. 
• Provide regular progress updates for areas of responsibility including major objectives met, delayed work efforts, and support needed to keep departmental goals on track. 
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure that business needs are being met. 
• Communicate effectively with employees, stakeholders, and customers both verbally and in writing. 
• Ensure company stays current on market forces, imminent or potential rule changes, and other issues that may impact organic farmers and their customers. Set clear functional goals and priorities aligned to execution of company strategy. 
• Maintain confidentiality of financial, HR, and other sensitive information discussed in management team meetings. 
• Champion the company’s core values. 

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, state and federal law licensing requirements regarding seed sales and treatment.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and training sessions as required by the Albert Lea Seed House.
• Perform other job and work related responsibilities, tasks and projects as needed or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Knowledge, Skills and Personal Attributes 

• Provide direction to the Creative Content Manager and other individuals who provide marketing support.  
• Successful employees on our team have a drive to improve and find new, better ways of doing things. Individual must seek opportunities to learn about the business, what makes us unique, what opportunities exist, and how to capitalize on our competitive advantage.  
• Demonstrate the ability to oversee marketing efforts top to bottom, engage on any task (glamorous or not), and see projects through to completion.   
• Demonstrate the ability to plan, prioritize and organize to effectively manage multiple projects and activities with minimal direction.  Respond to change in a flexible manner to meet evolving department needs. 
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing – is comfortable and effective at speaking to groups of employees.  Is cooperative, accommodating and exhibits a customer service attitude. 
• Exhibit a high degree of ethical conduct and discretion.  Exercise good judgement and exemplify professional behavior at all times with accountability, integrity and follow-through. 
• Remain current on all required trainings and certifications. 
• Adhere to department procedures regarding punctuality and attendance and exhibit flexibility and cooperation with shift scheduling. 
• Support the Albert Lea Seed House mission. 

Education, Credentials and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field. 
• Minimum three years of professional marketing experience required. 
• Passion for organic / sustainable / regenerative agriculture practices preferred. 
• Proficient writing, editing and proofreading skills. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. 
• Experience and knowledge in web-based marketing, social media and traditional print. 
• Strong organization and communication skills and attention to detail. 
• Experience with simple video production and editing preferred. 

Physical Demands 

• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time while working on a computer. 
• Bending, twisting, and reaching conducive to an office environment. 
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times. 

The Quality Assurance Manager will collaborate with our Product and Production teams to continuously improve processes that help drive seed production efficiency and accuracy throughout the entire life-cycle of our products. If being part of the organic and diversified agriculture revolution and building a quality career with an independent seed business interests you, apply today.

Who Are We?   

At Albert Lea Seed House, we are committed to providing high quality organic and conventional non-GMO seed and helping farmers succeed. Independent-minded farmers and dealers rely on us as a friendly source for practical information and farm-proven products that drive purposeful results.

We provide a diverse, whole-farm product offering that drives year-round production and supports better soil health for both organic and conventional farming. Offering a broad lineup of products and supporting diversified farming has been important to us since 1923, and we continue that tradition with pride. Our branded product lines include Blue River organic corn, soybean, and alfalfa and Viking non-GMO corn, soybean, and alfalfa. Albert Lea Seed also offers a quality lineup of alfalfa, cover crops, forages, and small grains. For more than 100 years, our independent farm seed company has grown to meet the ever-changing needs of American farmers, their families, and communities. 

What You’ll Do 

• Lead development, implementation, and continuous improvement of processes driving expected product quality outcomes. Including but not limited to quality standards, labeling, sampling and testing, compliance, inspections, and Labelers licensing reporting. 
• Provide Quality Assurance leadership within the organization.  
• Work with the implementation team to maximize the power of our new ERP system to improve transparency and efficiency for co-workers, dealers, and customers. 
• Participate in development of organic systems plan and maintenance of organic certification. 
• Ensure quality department staff understand their roles, company expectations, quality processes, and product specifications.  
• Lead staff training when appropriate to ensure staff members understand quality standards and procedures. 
• Manage planning and budgeting for quality assurance in collaboration with Operations Leader. 
• Provide Quality Assurance inventory reporting. 
• Perform and ensure all quality management activities are completed on package inventory, including but not limited to: 
• Bulk inventory receipt management. 
• Seed Testing & Quality Assurance  
• Manage Seed Labeling & Compliance 
• Ensure compliance with the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association including bulk certificates, tag tracking, tag reconciliation, submission of necessary forms and reports and participate in yearly audit.   
• Processing Samples & Quality Data in samples from vendor, grower, processor, mixing, mill and final products to ensure that the correct quality checkpoints are met and appropriate file samples are retained. 
• Code inventory with status updates in inventory. 

What Skills You Need 

• Demonstrate the ability to plan, prioritize and organize to effectively manage multiple projects and activities with minimal direction.  Respond to change in a flexible manner to meet evolving department needs. 
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing – is comfortable and effective at speaking to groups of employees.  Is cooperative, accommodating and exhibits a customer service attitude. 
• Exhibit a high degree of ethical conduct and discretion. Exercise good judgement and always exemplify professional behavior with accountability, integrity and follow-through. 
• Strong desire to work with a team to build processes that harness the power of our new integrated ERP. 
• Remain current on all required training and certifications. 
• Adhere to department procedures regarding punctuality and attendance and exhibit flexibility and cooperation with shift scheduling. 
• Support the Albert Lea Seed House mission. 

Education, Credentials and Experience 

• 3+ years total industry experience with direct experience in the agricultural and/or Seed production industry, with seed production location experience preferred. 
• Bachelor’s degree with focus in agronomy, engineering, quality assurance, business, biology, or life sciences. 
• Knowledge of the principles and practical applications associated with seed production operations.  
• Demonstrates ability to use metrics to guide continuous improvement of the quality management system. 
• Computer proficiency in MS office products. Experience with seed quality software preferred. 
• Fluent English language speaking, writing, and reading is required. 
• Strong organization and communication skills, attention to detail and ability to set appropriate boundaries with staff and customers. 
• Forklift operation certified or be willing to become certified. 
• Position will be located in Albert Lea, MN at Albert Lea Seed House, with travel occasionally required. 

Benefits 

• Competitive starting wage commensurate with education and experience. 
• Annual bonuses. 
• Full benefits package including: health insurance 401(k) profit sharing plan, paid holidays, paid time off, life insurance, dental and vision insurance, PTO, and Sick time. 
• We value our employee’s lives away from work; we offer paid maternity and paternity leave, paid volunteer days, professional development opportunities, and flexible scheduling to support family life.  
  

Location

• Due to the nature of this role, it is based on site at our main location in Albert Lea, MN.
• Applicants must be located near or willing to commute or relocate to Albert Lea, MN.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be the bridge between seed genetics, growers, our internal teams, and the end customers—ensuring our small grain offerings meet the evolving needs of the marketplace.

Product Strategy & Variety Selection

• Identify and forecast current and future customer needs
• Evaluate public and private genetics, attend trade shows, and stay ahead of emerging trends
• Analyze field and customer data to select high-performing oat, wheat, barley, and rye varieties
• Submit promising varieties to university trials and build data-backed product portfolios

Seed Production Planning

• Collaborate with sales and production teams to forecast demand and establish production goals
• Manage seedstock supply and ensure quality and availability for upcoming seasons

Grower Relations & Contract Management

• Build strong relationships with organic and conventional seed growers
• Write and manage grower contracts, pricing, and logistical details
• Monitor crop status, conduct field visits, and ensure quality standards are met
• Coordinate seed intake, storage, inspection, and final settlements

Purchasing

• Work with Sales and Accounts Payable to settle grower contracts
• Identify and purchase wholesale seed to meet market gaps while ensuring quality and certification standards

Marketing & Sales Enablement

• Partner with Marketing to develop accurate product descriptions, performance tables, and engaging agronomic content
• Provide training and updates to the Sales team on new varieties, licensing requirements, and agronomy topics

Customer Support & Agronomy

• Respond to sales inquiries, provide seed recommendations, and troubleshoot agronomic issues
• Support farmers and internal teams with ongoing education and insights on organic and small grain production
• Represent the company at conferences, field days, and grower meetings

Who You Are

• Experienced in agronomy, seed production, or crop management—especially with small grains
• Knowledgeable in organic and conventional farming systems
• Comfortable with data analysis, forecasting, and variety selection
• An effective communicator and collaborator who thrives in cross-functional roles
• Passionate about supporting farmers and sustainable agriculture

Why Join Us?

At Albert Lea Seed, we believe better seed makes a better food system. You’ll work with a passionate, mission-driven team that values innovation, sustainability, and long-term relationships. You’ll play a key role in shaping the future of organic and conventional small grain farming.

Ready to make an impact?
Apply today and help farmers grow better with the right seed for the job.

Send resume and cover letter to Nicole Hansen, HR Leader at nicole@alseed.com