Technical Sales Specialist - Biosciences/Agtech

About VSNi
VSNi has a vision “to see the challenges of global food production eradicated through the effective application of data, analytics and technology.” To support our ambition, we are driving a culture that values flexibility, collaboration, growth, and respect.
How we deliver our ambition is to develop and sell analytical software and data management solutions to support bio-scientists in many disciplines across the globe, be they in educational, notfor-profit, or commercial settings. Our technical software and platform products are complemented by a growing consultancy and training proposition. Currently, commercial plant and animal breeders are our primary focus, but at the right time we expect to expand into other sectors such as retail or pharmaceuticals.
VSNi’s heritage stretches back over 20 years as one of the world’s foremost providers of statistical software to the biosciences. Now we are on a transformation journey to become a fully digitised ‘software-as-a-service’ vendor expanding our offering into data management and workflow optimisation as well as analytics. This means making our products available via cloud-computing to our customers, but also taking advantage of digital tools to deliver an enhanced online and offline customer experience, improving back-office activities to drive improved sales and marketing and customer support performance, growing the business in an effective, efficient, and highly measurable way.
To achieve our ambitions, we seek a highly motivated Technical Sales Specialist to drive sales of our ASReml and Genstat statistical analysis software and consultancy services.
Interested to know more? Here’s what we're looking for:
Job Title
Technical Sales Specialist - Biosciences/Agtech Why this job exists
To drive new business opportunities, maximise potential revenue, and expand our customer base in the commercial sector.
How it delivers
By gaining a thorough understanding of VSNi's products and services, communicating with the commercial and development teams, incorporating business and technological factors and best practices throughout the new product initiation process, and seeing the projects through the planning, development, launch, and evaluation phases. What the role will do
Networking - Grow and build on an existing network of commercial organisations, including plant breeders, agronomists, researchers, and quantitative geneticists. Lead Gen - Proactively identify sales opportunities and generate leads through networking and market research. Presentations - Present product demonstrations and technical solutions to commercial organizations both in person and remotely. Sales - Negotiate and close deals, ensuring customer satisfaction and optimal pricing. Product Expertise: Develop and maintain a strong understanding of our software and solutions for plant breeding, agriculture, and associated consulting services. Market Awareness - Maintain a good working knowledge of market trends, competitors, and significant movers. CRM- Maintain accurate records of customer interactions and sales activities using our CRM system. Collaboration - Work closely with the science and technical teams to meet customer requirements. Advocacy - Be a strong advocate for customers during the set-up and onboarding phase. Events - Attend trade shows, conferences, and other events to promote our products and services. Innovation - Seek out new opportunities and be innovative in your approach to sales.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., agriculture, breeding, quantitative genetics, biology, forestry, etc.). At least three years’ experience in a technical sales role with a proven track record of success. Understanding of plant breeding and agronomy. Knowledge of statistical software (e.g., R, Python, ASReml, SAS, MATLAB) and basic statistical training. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Strong organisational and time-management skills. Ability to travel as required, including overseas. Highly proactive and innovative.
Desirable: Experience using ASReml or ASReml-R and GenStat data analysis software. Understanding of genomic breeding techniques including genomic selection, GWAS, and MAS. Understanding of cloud computing and commercial breeding strategies.
Required personal qualities
Excellent technical sales skills: Proficiency with MS Office and comprehensive technical knowledge of our products and services. Outstanding communication skills: Proactive and effective communicator with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly. Superb people skills: Confident and authoritative influencer, able to work collaboratively with various stakeholders. Exceptional organisational Skills: Strong planning, prioritization, and time management skills. Critical thinker: Results and data-driven critical thinker who can make logical decisions.
Location
Based at the VSNi office in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Scope for flexible / remote working
What is on offer for you
Competitive salary package Uncapped commision 28 days holiday plus national bank holidays
Company annual bonus, when declared by the Board (non-contractual)
Option to participate in company share scheme (non-contractual)
Option to participate in company medical insurance scheme (non-contractual)