Business Development Director

Full job description

Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer

Position Type: Full Time

Location: Remote | Johnston, IA office as needed

Travel Required: Yes; ability to travel as required by role (up to 30% of the time)

Primary Purpose & Function

Responsible for the growth and implementation of the Growers Edge Input Lending products with Ag Retail and manufacturing partners while providing ongoing support and training to existing customers and internal stakeholders. Responsible for establishing lending relationships with partners in agriculture marketplace including the ag retail, sustainability, food and ag technology market segments. Use knowledge of agriculture and finance to fully understand the partner’s business and business plans and build a lending product that best meet the needs. Responsible for developing an in-depth understanding of each partner’s financial needs and business while identifying customer needs and appropriately position Growers Edge core lending products while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and company credit standards and procedures and building strong working relationships. This role will also support the Vice President of Sales and Chief Commercial Officer, helping to successfully implement Growers Edge Input Lending products with national Ag Retail and manufacturing partners.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Growers Edge team members to turn customer insights and needs into products and services that deliver ever-increasing value to partners.
• Understand partner goals, credit strengths and weaknesses to deliver "value added"/constructive agricultural and financial information that will assist them in their businesses.
• Achieve key financial objectives (i.e. revenue, gross profit, renewals, etc.) and non-financial objectives such as customer loyalty related to Input Lending sales.
• Forecast financial requirements; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
• Collaborate with the Chief Commercial Officer to communicate insights that could impact the strategy and vision for Growers Edge lending products.
• Build and maintain a significant professional presence that yields increased market share for Growers Edge lending products.
• Interpret and evaluate financial information; follow-up and identify most appropriate questions to determine the best product or service.
• Provide and recommend terms and conditions consistent with the partner’s needs and associated loan risks, and then set clear expectations with the partner, and detail pertinent partner information in Customer Relationship Management software.
• Work with Growers Edge team members to complete servicing actions required for partner needs and individual grower circumstances and to monitor the portfolio for timely identification and service for loans that expose Growers Edge to risk.
• Use knowledge of servicing options; negotiate and communicate these options to the partner and/or grower as deemed appropriate per policy and may partner with additional resources for resolution.
• Develop and execute business growth plans and maintain plans that summarizes opportunities, threats and needed resources.
• Maintain documented relationship plans for all key partners and attain business goals.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, finance, agribusiness or related field.
• Prior agriculture lending/credit experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong communication, negotiating,
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to effectively convey ideas, trends, technical details, and sales techniques both in person and virtually, with management and cross-functional teams, including both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to develop trusted advisor relationships with Ag retail and manufacturing partners; must be credible in front of Ag retail audience.
• Competent in Microsoft Office products, and efficient in email and internet applications.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize based on business needs.

Travel

• Ability to travel for extended periods of time as required by role, under all weather conditions.

Physical Demands

• Spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers, which can cause muscle and eye strain.

Direct Reports

• None; may change as needed.

Additional Notes:

Growers Edge Financial, Inc. may require a background check.

Growers Edge Financial, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Growers Edge Financial, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Remote