Technical Sales Support Manager (FIELD, Iowa, United States)
UPL Limited (NSE: UPL & BSE: 512070, LSE: UPLL) is a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions, with annual revenue exceeding $6bn. We are a purpose-led company. Through OpenAg®, UPL is focused on accelerating progress for the food system. We are building a network that is reimagining sustainability, redefining the way an entire industry thinks and works – open to fresh ideas, innovation, and new answers as we strive towards our mission to make every single food product more sustainable. As one of the largest agriculture solutions companies worldwide, our robust portfolio consists of biologicals and traditional crop protection solutions with more than 14,000 registrations. We are present in more than 130 countries, represented by more than 10,000 colleagues globally. For more information about our integrated portfolio of solutions across the food value chain including seeds, post-harvest, as well as physical and digital services, please visit upl-ltd.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
(EOE) EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT:UPL provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants irrespective of their race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, in every location in which the company has facilities, UPL complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. UPL also reinforces EEO through its Corporate Business Principles and Code of Business Conduct.
Job Summary: The Technical Sales Support Manager (TSS) provides technical sales support for UPL Ag Division products within Iowa and surrounding Corn Belt areas in the U.S. This home-based role partners closely with the sales team to drive demand, support product positioning, and improve customer satisfaction.The TSS works with key influencers including researchers, consultants, universities, growers, and distributor technical staff to establish research and demonstration trials that support product performance, stewardship, and new product introductions. This role aligns closely with UPL’s sales and marketing objectives to ensure successful product launches and long-term portfolio sustainability.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Partner with sales team members and customers to demonstrate product value, generate pull-through demand, and support revenue growth
Develop and maintain strong relationships with distributors and retailers; evaluate compatibility of distributor proprietary products with UPL offerings
Define and refine application techniques for new and established UPL products
Gather, analyze, and communicate competitive intelligence and market trends
Respond promptly to technical service inquiries; analyze trends to identify emerging issues
Collaborate with marketing to support training materials, crop plans, and presentations
Work with Technical Development Managers to identify trial locations, summarize data, and support launch planning
Train sales teams, distribution partners, and customers through virtual and in-person presentations
Plan, place, document, and collect data from market support and demonstration trials within the assigned territory
Represent UPL at trade shows and industry events, as assigned
Required Skills/Experience
Valid Department of Transportation Driver’s License
Must live within the assigned territory
M.S. in an agricultural discipline with experience in crop protection sales, research or technical service is required and a Ph.D. is preferred
Must currently hold a pesticide applicators/advisor license or be able to obtain one within 12 months of hire
Experience with major regional crops including corn, soybeans, wheat, and other regional crops is required
Experience setting up field trials, analyzing data, interpreting results required. Experience working on/around farm equipment a plus
Must work independently within a team structure, and have ability to understand and present clear, concise data to individuals and in a group setting
Strong time management, problem-solving and communication skills are also required, along with the desire to be part of a rapidly growing sales and support organization
Proven ability to understand, influence and relate to customers, regulatory agencies, university and contract researchers, and coworkers across the company
Intermediate experience with ARM and MS Office Products (Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint)
Technical Service Job Level Ladder
MS Degree:
Technical Service Representative: 0-4 years of experience
Technical Service Manager I: 4-8 years of experience
Technical Service Manager II: 9-12+ years of experience
Ph.D. Degree:
Technical Service Representative: 0-2 years of experience
Technical Service Manager I: 2-6 years of experience
Technical Service Manager II: 7-9+ years of experience
Travel: Must be able to travel overnight up to 40% of the time
UPL COMPETENCIES:
Adaptability & Resilience: Recognizes and is open to changing circumstances and alters behavior and scales up as necessary; increases personal awareness and appreciation of individual and cultural differences to create an open, inclusive, and accepting workplace.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Has a creative mindset and ability to think holistically, takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities.
Results Orientations: Takes action, pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition.
Execution Excellence: Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processes, systems and people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation.
Strategic Orientation: Demonstrates knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors and how they impact business. Identifies key issues that could impact the business and develops strategy through an analytical lens / design thinking
Building Teams and Talent: Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation, quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments.
Customer Centricity: Understands the customer’s needs and pain points, fulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers
(EOE) EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT:UPL provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants irrespective of their race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, in every location in which the company has facilities, UPL complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. UPL also reinforces EEO through its Corporate Business Principles and Code of Business Conduct.
Job Summary: The Technical Sales Support Manager (TSS) provides technical sales support for UPL Ag Division products within Iowa and surrounding Corn Belt areas in the U.S. This home-based role partners closely with the sales team to drive demand, support product positioning, and improve customer satisfaction.The TSS works with key influencers including researchers, consultants, universities, growers, and distributor technical staff to establish research and demonstration trials that support product performance, stewardship, and new product introductions. This role aligns closely with UPL’s sales and marketing objectives to ensure successful product launches and long-term portfolio sustainability.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Partner with sales team members and customers to demonstrate product value, generate pull-through demand, and support revenue growth
Develop and maintain strong relationships with distributors and retailers; evaluate compatibility of distributor proprietary products with UPL offerings
Define and refine application techniques for new and established UPL products
Gather, analyze, and communicate competitive intelligence and market trends
Respond promptly to technical service inquiries; analyze trends to identify emerging issues
Collaborate with marketing to support training materials, crop plans, and presentations
Work with Technical Development Managers to identify trial locations, summarize data, and support launch planning
Train sales teams, distribution partners, and customers through virtual and in-person presentations
Plan, place, document, and collect data from market support and demonstration trials within the assigned territory
Represent UPL at trade shows and industry events, as assigned
Required Skills/Experience
Valid Department of Transportation Driver’s License
Must live within the assigned territory
M.S. in an agricultural discipline with experience in crop protection sales, research or technical service is required and a Ph.D. is preferred
Must currently hold a pesticide applicators/advisor license or be able to obtain one within 12 months of hire
Experience with major regional crops including corn, soybeans, wheat, and other regional crops is required
Experience setting up field trials, analyzing data, interpreting results required. Experience working on/around farm equipment a plus
Must work independently within a team structure, and have ability to understand and present clear, concise data to individuals and in a group setting
Strong time management, problem-solving and communication skills are also required, along with the desire to be part of a rapidly growing sales and support organization
Proven ability to understand, influence and relate to customers, regulatory agencies, university and contract researchers, and coworkers across the company
Intermediate experience with ARM and MS Office Products (Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint)
Technical Service Job Level Ladder
MS Degree:
Technical Service Representative: 0-4 years of experience
Technical Service Manager I: 4-8 years of experience
Technical Service Manager II: 9-12+ years of experience
Ph.D. Degree:
Technical Service Representative: 0-2 years of experience
Technical Service Manager I: 2-6 years of experience
Technical Service Manager II: 7-9+ years of experience
Travel: Must be able to travel overnight up to 40% of the time
UPL COMPETENCIES:
Adaptability & Resilience: Recognizes and is open to changing circumstances and alters behavior and scales up as necessary; increases personal awareness and appreciation of individual and cultural differences to create an open, inclusive, and accepting workplace.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Has a creative mindset and ability to think holistically, takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities.
Results Orientations: Takes action, pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition.
Execution Excellence: Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processes, systems and people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation.
Strategic Orientation: Demonstrates knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors and how they impact business. Identifies key issues that could impact the business and develops strategy through an analytical lens / design thinking
Building Teams and Talent: Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation, quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments.
Customer Centricity: Understands the customer’s needs and pain points, fulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers