Join our team!

General Production

• Ability to identify seed species and proper screens to use for cleaning seed inventory.
• Efficiently fill, seal and stack seed in appropriate containers for resale. Ex: Bag, tote bag, pro-box.
• Properly collect and turn in seed samples to appropriate managers.
• Check grain pits daily for excess spillage and clean pits when necessary.
• Load and unload bins with seed, ensuring bin doors are shut, latched and bins are free from manmade materials.

Essential Job Functions

• Perform a variety of warehouse tasks including: forklift operation, stocking, mixing, bagging of seed and sewing on seed tags.
• Heavy labor including, repetitive lifting and stacking of 50# bags throughout the day.
• Prepare items for the creation of seed mixes for delivery to our customers and wholesale shipment.
• Receive and unload inventory, check delivery items against BOL’s, marking pallets and completing receiving paperwork.
• Operate a variety of machines and equipment such as but not limited to: forklifts, hand trucks and carts, pallet jacks, conveyors, gravity table, color sorter, mill fan, auger, rolling stock ladders and mixing equipment.

Warehouse Safety and Maintenance

• Maintain the warehouse in a clean and orderly fashion including: sweeping, putting tools away, repairing broken bags and cleaning up spills.
• Empty all garbage cans and recycling into large dumpsters for proper garbage and recycling disposal.

Qualifications and Skills

Knowledge, Skills and Personal Attributes

• 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.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills – is comfortable on camera and can speak impromptu.
• Exhibit a high degree of ethical conduct and discretion. Exercise good judgement and always exemplify professional behavior with accountability, integrity and follow-through.
• 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

• Must be certified in forklift operation or be willing to become certified.
• Must become confined space certified for entering grain bins and pits.
• Agricultural background with knowledge in regenerative and sustainable practices preferred.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance and 50+ pounds with assistance.
• Bending, twisting and reaching conducive to a warehouse environment.
• Must be able to lift horizontally and vertically, climb and crawl, work on slippery or uneven surfaces, bend, stoop, kneel and walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be comfortable working in uncontrolled climates including heat, cold, dust and dirt.

Sales, Marketing and Merchandising

• Lead sales associate for garden-related items and offer support to customers on plant variety selection for gardens and landscape use that include but are not limited to:
  • Landscape trees, shrubs and perennials
  • Annual bedding plants
  • Garden seeds, vegetable plants and fruit crops
  • Lawns
• Provide support on planting, fertilizer, pruning, cultural questions on disease and pest issues and other plant care topics
• Proficient in plant and weed identification
• Research, develop and promote Organic and IPM (integrated pest management) solutions to lawn and garden care
• Coordinate with marketing department on promotions, brochures and events to promote sales and education
• Manage merchandising of product inside and outside the store

Product Selection and Purchasing

• Lead the selection efforts of garden seeds, plants, annuals, bedding plants, perennials, trees and shrubs
• Involve other staff in the selection process, staying up to date on the latest offerings and industry trends and lead the effort in product offerings for organic plant health care

Outreach and Trainings

• Coordinate garden outreach activities with an emphasis on IPM and Organic gardening & lawn care
• Facilitate in-store seminars, plan and deliver radio show program, blog articles focused on garden topics and manage customer questions/problems and offer solutions
• Train staff members on physical plant care, sales and other garden related items
• Attend relevant trade shows, conferences, seminars, online education opportunities; visit and tour vendors

Other 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

Knowledge, Skills and Personal Attributes

• 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: comfortable and effective at speaking to groups of employees; cooperative, accommodating and exhibiting 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 Horticulture with 3-5 years’ direct experience required
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products, accurate keyboarding and general office equipment familiarity
• Strong organization and communications skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multitask and stay focused while dealing with multiple interruptions

Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance and 50+ pounds with assistance
• Bending, twisting and reaching conducive to both an office and warehouse environment

Build and Grow Dealer Relationships

• Recruit and onboard new dealers.
• Work closely with current dealers on their business plan to ensure they are meeting their goals.
• Train, encourage, and develop dealers as they work to meet their goals.
• Be the go-to product expert for dealers and their customers – train dealers on products and help with any agronomic questions.
• Promote Albert Lea Seed House and our product lines to build brand presence on the Easy Coast.

Grow Product Sales

• Develop and implement sales plan for territory to grow sales of organic and non-GMO corn and soybeans.
• Develop and maintain relationships with dealers and key customers.
• Organize and execute on-farm plots and field days.
• Collaborate with marketing team on sales objectives and contribute to development of marketing content including video, digital and print.
• Work closely with dealer network, account managers, operations, product, and marketing team to achieve regional business objectives.
• Call directly on farmers in underserved areas to build the business and grow sales.

Training and Education

• Educate dealer network on product agronomic basics, selection, and farm placement.
• Learn how diverse crop species fit into organic and conventional crop rotations.
• Attend field days, university events and conferences.
• Special coursework as needed to increase knowledge.
• Stay up-to-date on the seed industry – stay curious and always learning.

Qualifications and Skills

Knowledge, Skills and Personal Attributes

• 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.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills – is comfortable on camera and can speak impromptu.
• Exhibit a high degree of ethical conduct and discretion. Exercise good judgement and always exemplify professional behavior with accountability, integrity and follow-through.
• Remain current on all required training and certifications.
• Adhere to department procedures regarding punctuality and attendance and exhibit flexibility and cooperation with shift scheduling.
• Critical soft skills including, confidence, active listening, organization, critical thinking, attention to detail, flexibility and intellectual curiosity.

Education, Credentials and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Ag Business or a similar amount of seed industry experience required.
• Computer proficiency in MS office products and Outlook. Ability to learn and operate ERP software.
• Strong organization and communication skills, attention to detail and ability to set appropriate boundaries with staff and customers.
• Knowledge of seed species and varieties.

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.

The Location

This Regional Sales Manager position is based in our East Coast Region. Ideally this person will work remotely in the state of Pennsylvania or New York to support and grow our opportunities within the Eastern region.

Travel

There will be a fair amount of travel required within the Eastern region to visit dealers, farmer customers and trade shows.