Agricultural Careers

Agricultural Sales Representative

By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Katie Murray

Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

Georgia Department of Education

June 2005

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Compiles lists of prospective customers for use as sales leads

Consults with customers regarding installation, set-up, or layout of agricultural equipment and machines

Demonstrates use of agricultural equipment or machines

Displays or shows customers agricultural related products

Informs customers of estimated delivery schedule, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products

Prepares reports of business transactions

Prepares sales contracts for orders obtained

Quotes prices and credit terms

Recommends changes in customer use of agricultural products to improve production

Solicits orders from customers in person or by phone

Qualities and Skills

An agricultural sales representative should obviously have excellent people skills for dealing with clients and companies.

They must be able to communicate effectively in oral or written communication.

Sales representatives should have a familiarity and confidence in negotiating, but they should also be good listeners.

They should have a great interest in agriculture and agricultural products.

They will also need at least basic computer and sales technology skills.

Agricultural sales representatives should be able to work well under pressure when dealing with deadlines and fast-paced transactions.

Education

On the job training is possible in some job settings. However, a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, with a minimum of 2 years in agricultural sales will help your employment opportunities. A farming background is not necessary but would help in understanding the needs of the buyer.

Salary

Most sales representatives’ salary is a combination of base pay and commission, which depends on the amount and number of products they sell. Median annual earnings of sales representatives in wholesale, manufacturing, technical, and scientific products were $55,740 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,480 and $79,380 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,770, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $108,010 a year.

In addition to their earnings, sales representatives usually are reimbursed for expenses such as transportation costs, meals, hotels, and entertaining customers. They often receive benefits such as health and life insurance, pension plans, vacation and sick leave, personal use of a company car, and frequent flyer mileage. Some companies offer incentives such as free vacation trips or gifts for outstanding sales workers.

Similar Careers

Technical Sales Representative

Agricultural Accountant

Agricultural Economist

Chemical Sales Representative

Commodities Broker

Commodity Inspector