Job Description

WHO WE ARE

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is an innovator and service provider for agricultural and professional markets in the United States and around the world. We are one of America's only retailers and distributors with expertise in formulation, research and development, precision technology, data solutions, professional application and manufacturing. For nearly 70 years our people have been driven to provide sustainable solutions that help feed, clothe and fuel the world. With over 450+ locations nationwide and over 6,000 employees we rank among the top agricultural service companies in volume and sales of agricultural products and services.

This position is with Helena Products Group (HPG). HPG develops Helena's extensive portfolio of proprietary products that includes seven product categories covering both crop production and crop protection. HPG leads the industry in creating innovations and formulation technologies and operates out of a state-of-the-art research, development and training facility located in Memphis, TN.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Brand Manager for Helena Products Group (HPG) will discover, evaluate, develop and commercialize new product brands for the Helena salesforce to drive increased sales and profit. The primary focus is to find and develop products that compliment or upgrade the current product line.

This position works closely with the marketing services department, the formulation lab, research and development as well as the registration department to move projects forward through the development process. The ideal candidate for this position is an energetic professional who is able to multi-task effectively, offer quick and accurate advice and provide creative solutions to help advance HPG brands.

WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE

• Coordinates and conducts due diligence sessions with technology providers to assess business and product development and commercialization opportunities related to technology.
• Collaborates with key stakeholders on all new product ideation originating within Helena or with an outside technology provider to explore market viability, costing, gross profit estimates, and overall financial and market potential for product concepts.
• Works with legal counsel in negotiation and development of all HPG product agreements with potential and/or current technology providers throughout the development and commercial life cycle of the product brands.
• Works with formulation department and Helena Industries, or other manufacturers, to proof formulation concepts and technical viability. Conducts costing exercises to ensure financial targets can be attained.
• Develops testing protocols with research and development staff for new and existing product brands to validate commercial viability, establish overall value propositions, and conduct additional testing measures as required.
• Creates business plans to gain new products committee approvals to move product development concepts into the next phases of brand planning and commercialization.
• Collaborates with formulation department, registration department, and corporate regulatory to write product brand labels.
• Works with marketing services and registration team members to establish brand architecture, packaging, and label designs that comply with state and federal regulations
• Coordinates and secures manufacturing agreements for supply of raw materials, and actives for product brands while working with the formulation quality assurance team to ensure product quality standards are upheld.
• Develops overall brand marketing plans. This may include market research, situational analysis, target markets, positioning, competitive analysis, market strategy, price to value estimates, and projected strategic value tier fit within associated product brand category.
• Oversees marketing services on all brand strategy needs. This may include brand descriptions, brand positioning statements, tag lines, features and benefits, brand promise, brand differentiators, brand personality, and the overall brand story.
• Collaborates with marketing services and other HPG departments on all brand launch needs. This may include communications plans, collateral, videos, brand support tools, market data, presentations, brand launch meetings plans, and all sales support materials. The main goal is to develop high quality and effective brand launch materials that align correctly with the overall brand strategies.
• Participates as a presenter of the respective brand strategies to the general manager, directors, managers, marketing services and sales teams at internal meetings and conferences.
• Reviews and approves all product brand advertising and promotional messaging to ensure compliance with overall brand strategies and positioning.
• Provides leadership, direction, and product brand training to internal sales teams as requested. This training may include technical product brand features and benefits, brand positioning, and overall value propositions designed to assist the sales team on implementation and execution.
• Participates and collaborates with business unit stakeholders to plan and provide tailored external customer training on the HPG product portfolio for assigned brands as requested.
• Establishes, coordinates, and sets direction on suggested pricing for assigned product brands.
• Monitors and communicates product brand forecasts to suppliers and manufacturers of assigned product brands.
• Leads and participates on special projects and workflow committees as assigned by leader.
• Gathers information and data to prepare, update and control forecasts covering projected sales, inventory, investment requirements, etc. related to product brands and services. Reports findings to executive management.
• Establishes and works with administrative operations department to maintain a professional communications tracking system. This system includes contracts, meeting notes and actions plans, and overall status alert reports for monitoring progress.
• Monitors monthly statement of contribution for assigned budget to ensure financial compliance.
• Manages other members of the team.
• May be required to operate a company vehicle.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by leader.
• Reliable and regular attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture or related field is required.
• Five years of sales and/or marketing experience in the agriculture industry is required.
• An in-depth understanding of crop production and protection industry and the products used today is preferred.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Driven and passionate in approach to business and product development and brand marketing is required.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.
• Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
• Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
• Interpersonal skills are required.
• Negotiation skills are required.
• Ability to coordinate a high level of activity under a variety of conditions and restraints is required.
• Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills are required.
• Valid U.S. driver's license is required and must meet all company requirements to drive a Helena vehicle.
• Travel by various means up to 25% of the time is required.

Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.

BEING A LEADER AT HELENA

At Helena, our leaders are expected to demonstrate the same qualities that we value in our employees -- integrity, passion and accountability. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for overseeing other team members. This includes carrying out leadership responsibilities such as interviewing, hiring, training and coaching employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees and addressing complaints and resolving problems by following all of Helena's policies, procedures and applicable laws.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

The work environment for this position is that of a typical office environment where the noise level is mostly quiet. This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, stand and sit. You may be occasionally required to lift or move up to 10 pounds.

BENEFITS AT HELENA

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
• Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
• Three-year vesting on company match with 1,000 hours of service.
• Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
• Employees are eligible for paid time-off and holiday pay.
• Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
• Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
• Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
• Education Assistance.
• And much more!

For more detailed information about our benefits, visit helenacareers.com/benefits.

STAY CONNECTED TO HELENA!

Follow us on social @HelenaCareers or visit us at helenacareers.com.

Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.

Location

HPG (TN)-10429