Job Details

Do you have at least five years’ experience in agriculture with a demonstrated track record in sales and marketing or product management? Do you have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Ag or a Business related field? Do you possess a high level of leadership ability including building strong relationships with cross-functional teams?  If you said yes to all of these questions, AND, you have exceptional interpersonal communication skills, we want to hear from YOU!
 
For nearly a century, Wilbur-Ellis has experienced success and growth in marketing and distributing agricultural products and services. Join us and grow your career with a strong and profitable industry leader offering competitive compensation, tremendous growth and development opportunities, and a people-first work environment. Come grow with us!
 
General Purpose and Scope of Position:
The Area Manager is responsible for managing Agribusiness operations in Great Lakes Area (MI & OH) including but not limited to retail strategy development and implementation, management of Wilbur-Ellis locations, personnel development, operational oversight and financial results.  As part of the Geography Management Team, the Area Manager provides leadership and direction to branch and territory management in the day-to-day operations and implementation of the Geography strategic plan.
 
 
Key Skills and Abilities Include:
 

• Proficient in all Microsoft office applications
• Minimum of five years’ experience in the agriculture business with demonstrated track record in sales and marketing or product management
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Agriculture or Business related field preferred
• Ability to travel by air or auto
• Must be able to drive safely for long distances
• Acceptable DMV report required

 
 
Key Personal Attributes Include:
 

• High degree of leadership ability, including building relationships with cross functional teams
• Good interpersonal and team building skills with a positive attitude and ability to establish relationships with branch personnel, peers and customers
• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills to small and large groups with an ability to lead and influence
• Detail and accuracy orientation with an ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously

 
 
Specific Responsibilities and Key Deliverables Include:
 

• Development of annual business plan that optimizes growth and profitability for the area
• Responsible for budgeting, forecasting, analysis and communication of the financial performance objectives for the area
• Communicate with Geography Management the initiatives, objectives, strategies, and action plans
• Provide leadership and direction to branch managers and support staff
• Utilize Variable Incentive Plan (VIP) to establish measureable, challenging goals for sales and management personnel that lead to the accomplishment of the overall Area financial goals
• Manage VIP potential target margin to not exceed individual branch budgeted gross margin
• As part of an overall performance management plan, conduct annual performance appraisals with Branch Managers and assist and advise Branch Managers with sales team performance reviews
• Provide employees with constructive feedback and coach employees on how to improve their performance
• Train, coach and mentor for the growth and increased effectiveness of others
• Provide leadership in recruiting, motivating and retaining key employees. Assure the right person is in the right role.
• Coordinate effective sales team training in skill development and growth
• Assist branch managers with efficient use of capital asset utilization and acquisition. Monitor new asset performance to plan and adjust as required to meet plan goals.
• Adhere to all company policies associated with safety, health and environmental practices. Take immediate and appropriate actions to remedy hazards as they are identified. Help provide solutions to safety, health and environmental challenges.
• Minimize risk of crop claims, credit and compliance issues through adherence to policy, best practices and on-going training
• Identify and communicate growth opportunities through acquisition, new market development and geography expansion
• Implement area plan to support strategic initiatives with value added nutrition, branded products, seed, purchasing and technology. Utilize Geography and Area resources to provide excellent service and support to branch sales and operations.

 
 
Compensation and Benefits
 

• Competitive annual salary (to be determined based on experience and other factors)
• All applicable company benefits including a company vehicle

 
 
COMPANY CULTURE  
 
Wilbur-Ellis is a company you can be proud to call your employer
Wilbur-Ellis markets and distributes agricultural products, animal feed and specialty chemicals and food ingredients. A privately held and consistently profitable company, we employ more than 4,000 people throughout North America and Asia-Pacific.
 
Wilbur-Ellis is for and about people
Wilbur-Ellis has enjoyed over ninety-three years of success and growth, all thanks to our people. Our employees are both leaders and team players who thrive on creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and a dedication to quality work, our customers and each other.
 
Wilbur-Ellis invests in the industry’s best workforce
Wilbur-Ellis invests heavily in our employees by offering skill development and training, competitive compensation and benefits and a tradition of promoting from within for a broad range of career opportunities. And we foster a supportive, people-first work environment.
 
Wilbur Ellis Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer
 
Wilbur-Ellis Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer