Forestry Careers at ArborGen

• Safely complete all essential work functions.
• Plan, forecast, and execute the annual sales plan and strategy by directing and supporting the Reforestation Advisor sales team.
• Provide subject matter expertise, especially related to value-based selling, to senior leadership on best practices for sales force management.
• Develop and manage Sales Budget, assuring Reforestation Advisor adherence consistent with overall sales budget.
• Develop objectives, including goals and measurements of success by territory, for Reforestation Advisors.
• Develop effective sales strategies to grow and maximize the company’s sales volume, market share, and profitability consistent with ArborGen’s advanced genetic value proposition.
• Oversee the competitive positioning of the organization, including the analysis and collection of market data.
• Development and implementation of sales training programs for sales representatives.
• Develop and implement systems for the tracking of sales representatives’ activities with a goal of maximizing their productivity.
• Provide leadership and guidance to Reforestation Advisors as related to troubleshooting seedling survival or nutrition issues in a constructive manner with ArborGen personnel and clients.
• Work closely with Director of Marketing for website enhancement, newsletter articles, and the overall marketing strategy.

The incumbent will be expected to interact daily with direct reports and with peers in the immediate work group.  Regular interaction with peers in other groups across the company as related to common targets.  Frequent interaction with ArborGen Senior Management Team, Product Development, and the Nursery Management Team.  Participation in outside conferences and symposia.

Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related field is required
• Experience in Forestry, Agribusiness, or Natural Resources preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience in direct sales and sales management.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience managing a successful team of sales professionals – turnaround or start up experience strongly desired.
• Basic understanding of reforestation best practices such as seedling care, seedling handling, and tree planting fundamentals.
• Experience with CRM a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability and desire to address audiences with technical presentations.
• Possess critical thinking skills necessary to expand client portfolio in relation to emerging timber markets.
• The ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work without close supervision.
• Dependability, self-motivation and strong teamwork skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Basic math and accounting skills.

Physical Requirements: 

Position will require extensive (40-60%) US travel.  This is sedentary to medium work exerting up to 40 pounds of force; work may involve climbing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping; worker is subject to inside and outside environment, noise, vibration, working hazards, fumes, odors, dust, gasses and chemicals; visual acuity is required for experiments; requires hearing sufficient to perceive noises for diagnostic purposes. 

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.

The Business Specialist has full responsibility for all accounting procedures using the corporate software according to ArborGen guidelines, including purchasing, accounts payable and receivable, inventory control, petty cash, purchase orders, transmittals and invoices. This position also involves the following specific responsibilities:

•  Proficiently mastering the seedling sales accounting package and the SAP accounts payables program. Monitor collection of accounts receivables and payments of accounts payables under the guidelines of the company policies and procedures.  Monitor customer and vendor accounts for accuracy and timeliness for all departments.
• Serving as receptionist/customer contact person for the nurseries.
• Transcribe, compose and type correspondence and special reports.
• Organize and maintain files and records according to company policy and procedure.
• Develop computer databases, spreadsheets and presentations as needed.
• Schedule seedling shipments, appointments and travel.
• Wear safety personal protective equipment, maintain facility, and maintain a safe working environment.
• Travel as needed to represent the nursery at trade shows and meetings (less than 10 days per year.
• Maintain office supply inventory.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.
• **Hours may vary during lifting seasons**

• Department: Daily interaction with direct reports if applicable. Frequent interaction with peers in the immediate work group.  Regular interaction with peers in other groups within the department.  Frequent interaction with Supervisor.
• Company: Regular interaction with peers in other research groups across the company as related to common research targets.
• Outside Company: Participation in outside conferences and symposia.

·         Minimum of five years experience in office administration and data processing, or a two-year college diploma and two years experience.

·         Formal computer training or comparable experience in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

·         Excellent word processing skills.

·         Basic math and accounting skills.

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.

·         The ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.

·         Ability to work without close supervision.

·         References indicating dependability, punctuality, courtesy, self-motivation and teamwork skills.

Physical Requirements:  This position is an office position, but is sedentary to medium work exerting up to 40 pounds of force; work may involve climbing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping; worker is subject to inside and outside environment, noise, vibration, working hazards, fumes, odors, dust; visual acuity is required; requires hearing sufficient to perceive noises for diagnostic purposes.

The position impacts the operations in the following ways:

• Serve as first point of contact for customers to convey their needs and concerns.
• Supports management with office duties, including confidential correspondence.
• Manages data for effective and efficient operations.
• Provides financial and accounting services.
• The business specialist has the liberty to determine the best methods for carrying out assigned duties.

 Accountability

• Ensure that accurate accounts payable and receivable records are maintained by implementing accounting policies and procedures.  Provide management with complete financial information of expenditures and revenue.
• Support management by providing accurate detailed correspondence, presentations and reports in a professional appealing manner.
• Support N&O objectives by providing interaction with customers and other stakeholders in a positive, professional manner.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.

• Manage research breeding orchards and coordinate and carry out necessary grafting and breeding tasks in conjunction with Product Development and Orchards personnel.
• Carry out the seedling quality program including coordinating the installation of plots, collection of data and summary, and publication of results to nursery operations and key customers. Participate in field data collection as needed and complete all data summaries.
• Manage and implement pine clone bank and archiving plan.
• Manage the Product Development research seed inventory, seed extraction and processing, and research pollen inventory.
• Develop and implement specific experiments/projects related to bare root and container seedling production in conjunction with ArborGen nurseries and Product Development personnel.
• Maintain a high level of professional expertise through knowledge of current literature and state of the art of relevant seed and seedling production technology, and utilize this knowledge in the design of experiments, research and/or development.
• Effectively communicate research results and other findings to appropriate operating group personnel.
• Participate in technical project reviews.
• Represent ArborGen in university-industry research cooperatives.
• Adhere to safety policies and maintain a safe laboratory environment.

• Department: Frequent interaction with supervisor and with team members in the immediate work group.
• Company: Regular interaction with Nursery Managers, Production Coordinators and Seed Orchard Managers across the company as related to common research targets and technical objectives. 
• Outside Company: Expected to participate in outside conferences and symposia when appropriate, and to distribute trip reports and competitive intelligence information following the meeting. May give public presentations or author publications.

III.        Certifications: NONE

IV.          Education/Experience/Skills:

• Master of Science degree or higher in a plant sciences field, with experience in forestry, nursery practices, plant breeding, plant physiology or plant pathology. Minimum of five years experience working in a plant sciences related field
• Familiarity with fundamental concepts of experimental design and data analysis required.
• Experience with plant breeding and grafting.
• Good communication skills with the ability to interface at all levels of management.
• Computer proficiency is required.

III.        Physical Requirements:

• Depending on the research scope, this position could be be sedentary to medium work exerting up to 40 pounds of force; work may involve repetitive motion activities involved in keyboarding and sample preparation, laboratory bench work, climbing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping; worker is subject to inside and outside environment, including possible chemical hazards, noise, vibration, working hazards, fumes, odors, dust, gasses and chemicals; visual acuity is required for experiments; requires hearing sufficient to perceive noises for diagnostic purposes. May require work in the field such as planting, assessing, measuring, and harvesting small or large tree stocks.
• Travel: Position requires frequent travel to nurseries, seed orchards, research plots and meetings.

IV.          Other Comments:

• Location: Ridgeville, SC
• Travel: Position requires frequent overnight travel to customer operations, nurseries, orchards, and meetings (40%).

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.

• Operate and maintain farm tractors, mowers, sprayers, forklifts, ATVs, chain saws and other equipment used in orchard operations.
• Operate and work from aerial lift trucks during cone harvest, breeding, pollen collection and tree limb pruning operations for extended periods.
• Maintain records including but not limited to equipment maintenance, parts inventory, safety inspections, fuel records, and field activities.
• Ability to identify tree damage symptoms / pest species and perform all phases of pest control, including herbicide and insecticide applications.
• Conduct scion collection, grafting, bagging, control pollination and pollen collection.
• Install, maintain and measure field research projects.
• Wear personal protective equipment and maintain a safe working environment.
• Obtain and maintain a Commercial Drivers License and a Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators License if required.

Department: Daily interaction with direct reports if applicable.  Frequent interaction with peers in the immediate work group.  Regular interaction with peers in other groups within the department.  Frequent interaction with Supervisor.

Company: Regular interaction with peers in other research groups across the company as related to common research targets. 

Outside Company: Participation in industry meetings.

High school diploma or equivalent, with additional education and technical training preferred.

Experience in nursery or farming operations desirable, with emphasis on equipment operation

Experience in carpentry, welding, equipment maintenance, plumbing and electrical repair.

Basic math, oral and written communications, and interpersonal skills.

Valid driver’s license

This is heavy work exerting 40-100 pounds of force repeatedly.  Work may involve climbing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping.  Worker is subject to inside and outside environment, noise, vibration, working hazards, fumes, odors, dust, wood smoke and chemicals.   Must pass a respirator test and wear a respirator while spraying pesticides and treating pine seed.  Visual acuity is required for equipment and vehicle operation; requires hearing sufficient to perceive noises for diagnostic purposes.

This is a non-exempt position.  Seasonal overtime and weekend work required.  Little to no overnight travel.  90% of work is out of doors in all seasons and weather conditions, 10% record-keeping.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required and the responsibilities of the position may change.