Syngenta - Employment Opportunity

Have you thought about how to feed the fast growing world population? We have.
And we are looking for top talent to join our team!

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2007 were approximately $9.2 billion. Syngenta employs over 21,000 people in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

Key Account Manager – Boulder, CO ( or Anywhere in the NE United States)

Role Purpose -

The Key Account Manager is responsible for maximizing the sales of Syngenta proprietary genetic product offerings within the flowers business in a defined territory. The Key Account Manager will develop business plans with targeted grower accounts that will encompass tactical and strategic planning, profitability analysis, and product mix strategy. The Key Account Manager will work closely with field personnel cross-divisionally to ensure business plans are successfully executed.

Drives revenue and profitable growth of the Business Unit by working cross-functionally to develop and execute a key account management program. Provides product support to drive sales by calling on brokers, broker reps, growers (Key Accounts) and prospects using an integrated approach. Promotes Business Unit’s brand(s) and products at trade shows, meetings, field days, and one on one. Supports and coordinates key account trials and gathers strategic feedback and market intelligence. Develops a profound understanding of customer needs via consultative selling leading to the development of a unique offering for each customer within assigned market areas.

• Understands the role and importance of different players in the market and the dynamics among them and focuses on the best opportunities.
• Delivers distinctive value propositions to growers and influencers.
• Is highly skilled and performance-driven to outperform the competition.
• Optimizes time and impact in front of customers to maximize productivity.
• Is optimally aligned between customer-facing functions to better capture value and shape new innovative offers.

Accountabilities:
• Serves as primary contact for the customer interface between Syngenta and Grower
• Develop relationship plan for managing key decision makers and influencers
• Determines size of the opportunity (Share of Wallet) of each key account by developing complete business plans
• Defines clear and measurable objectives and actions for key account business plan implementation.
• Participate in Field Sales Team and distribution channel meetings to communicate pertinent information.
• Drive revenue and profitable growth of the Business Unit by working cross-functionally to develop and execute a key account management program including meaningful metrics.
• Assist in the development of periodic reporting for key accounts management program and monitor sales regularly to accomplish agreed upon goals with each key account.
• Support sales to all brokers and broker reps, as well as growers (Key Accounts) and prospects through on-site visits, personal calls, sampling and marketing materials.
• Support all Business Unit brands through trials, field days, meetings and sales call to key accounts.
• Evaluate all products currently in the market while collecting market feedback and using this information to make recommendations to internal stakeholders on possible new introductions and positioning of products.
• Work cross-functionally to plan new product positioning to effectively compete with competitor products utilizing working knowledge of those products and gain market share.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Consistently articulates strength and value of product portfolio through presentations and technical support.
• Maintain marketing program requirements and communicate to customers and to the Field Sales Team.
• Initiates product trials with key customers in the region.
Perform data analysis functions, benchmark progress, reporting and special projects.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience –

Critical Knowledge:

• Bachelors degree in Horticulture or related field and minimum 5 years industry experience.
• Strong business acumen for grower’s overall operation.
• General product knowledge across business units and how to apply towards broad agronomic solutions.

Critical Skills:

• The desire to develop value-added, working relationships with all customers via listening, probing questions, meaningful discussion of customers needs, as well as other skills.
• Computer skills, especially Word and Excel, training and development experience;
• Solid interpersonal skills; ability to operate in a varied and, at times, uncertain environment;
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work well in a team environment.
• Excellent analytical, strategic, and financial skills are critical.
• Negotiation skills, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Management of multiple, time-sensitive projects within a matrix organizational structure.
• Ability to influence co-workers outside direct reporting lines.
• Effective communications with customers and Plant Health team members.
• Highly motivated to deliver results consistent with business plans.
• Is optimally aligned between customer-facing functions to better capture value and shape new innovative solutions.

Critical Experience:

• At least 3 to 5 years experience working with grower/customers and broker sales reps and experience with seed and/or vegetative product lines.
• Experience in negotiation with customers at mid, senior, and executive levels.
• Degree in horticulture, agriculture or related field (with relevant business experience), or a degree in business.
• Promote innovation and function as a change agent throughout the organization
• Ability to work cross-functionally within the organization
• Develop relations within company and with brokers, broker sales representatives, growers, trial locations and others as needed
• Facilitate customer learning situations and communicate ideas to various levels of people
• Development of presentations, articles and training material as needed


Syngenta offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including market-based pay, health/dental insurance, a generous 401(k) program, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance.

Qualified candidates should apply online