Postdoc In Microbial Genomics Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

About Pivot Bio:  

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of microbiology, genomics, crop nutrition and agriculture, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in fertilizer technology. Our first commercial product harnesses the power of naturally-occurring microbes, modern gene editing and application technologies to provide nitrogen to crops.  We are dedicated to providing new solutions for farmers to improve yield as they work to help feed the world's growing population. Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio on Forbes or PBS News Hour.

The Inside Sales Representative is responsible for identifying, engaging, and qualifying prospective growers, ag retailers, distributors, and commercial partners for Pivot Bio's microbial nitrogen solutions. This role supports the commercial sales organization by building early-stage pipeline, conducting structured discovery, maintaining accurate CRM data, and coordinating timely handoffs to the appropriate sales, agronomy, or customer success team member. The position requires strong communication, disciplined follow-through, comfort with digital sales tools, and an interest in agriculture, crop nutrition, and sustainable nitrogen management.

Essential Functions

• Generate new commercial leads across assigned agricultural markets through outbound calls, email campaigns, research, referrals, events, and digital prospecting tools.
• Identify growers, ag retailers, crop consultants, distributors, and channel partners whose operations align with Pivot Bio's microbial nitrogen solutions.
• Conduct discovery conversations to understand crop mix, acreage, fertility programs, nitrogen management practices, buying process, seasonal timing, and potential product fit.
• Qualify prospects based on commercial opportunity, agronomic need, readiness, fit, and potential interest in Pivot Bio products and sustainability programs.
• Schedule meetings, demonstrations, or handoffs with Territory Sales Managers, Commercial Agronomists, Customer Success, or other appropriate team members.
• Maintain complete and timely CRM records, including lead source, qualification notes, activity history, next steps, and pipeline status.
• Execute structured outreach cadences, follow-up plans, and campaign activities to support territory priorities, product launches, and seasonal commercial initiatives.
• Use data, CRM reporting, and campaign performance insights to prioritize outreach, improve conversion rates, and identify high-value opportunities.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Commercial Agronomy, and Customer Success to refine target lists, outreach messaging, campaign execution, and follow-up strategies.
• Communicate Pivot Bio's value proposition clearly and professionally, including the role of microbial nitrogen solutions in supporting grower productivity, profitability, and more sustainable nutrient management.
• Capture customer and market feedback from inside sales interactions and share insights with cross-functional partners to improve messaging, targeting, and customer experience.
• Stay current on agriculture market trends, crop nutrition practices, nitrogen management, sustainability priorities, and seasonal factors that influence grower decisions.

Competencies

Knowledge & Application

• Applies working knowledge of sales prospecting, structured discovery, CRM usage, lead qualification, and customer communication to support pipeline creation and commercial growth.
• Builds understanding of Pivot Bio products, agricultural selling motions, grower decision-making, crop nutrition practices, nitrogen management, sustainability priorities, and seasonal timing.
• Uses established playbooks, call guides, outreach cadences, and qualification criteria to engage prospects, document needs, and coordinate effective handoffs to field sales, agronomy, and customer success partners.

Complexity & Problem Solving

• Addresses routine to moderately complex sales development challenges such as reaching prospects, qualifying fit, maintaining accurate CRM records, managing follow-up activity, and adapting outreach based on customer signals.
• Uses judgment, coaching, and available data to prioritize outreach, identify barriers, and improve conversion from lead to qualified opportunity.
• Escalates non-routine questions, customer concerns, technical needs, or commercial issues to the appropriate sales, agronomy, customer success, or leadership partner.

Collaboration & Interaction

• Collaborates regularly with Inside Sales leadership, Territory Sales Managers, Commercial Agronomists, Marketing, Customer Success, and Sales Operations to support lead generation, campaign execution, timely handoffs, and a strong customer experience.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with growers, ag retailers, distributors, and internal partners.
• Demonstrates curiosity, coachability, accountability, persistence, and disciplined follow-through in support of commercial team goals.

Travel

• Occasional travel may be required for training, team meetings, grower events, trade shows, field-based learning opportunities, or commercial business needs.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agronomy, Crop Science, Business, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Strong interest in agriculture, ag technology, sustainable crop nutrition, and commercial sales.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build credibility with growers and agricultural partners.
• Strong organization, follow-through, attention to detail, and ability to manage a high volume of outreach activity.
• Comfort learning CRM systems, lead generation platforms, digital sales tools, and data-driven prospecting workflows.
• Self-motivated, resilient, curious, and eager to learn in a fast-moving, mission-driven agtech environment.
• Internship, coursework, FFA/4-H involvement, or work experience related to agronomy, ag retail, seed, fertilizer, crop protection, farm operations, sales, or customer service preferred.
• Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM, sales engagement platform, or marketing automation tool preferred.

Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Compensation

•  The base is $28.85 per hour with a targeted sales incentive bonus of $32,000-$40,000

What We Offer: 

• Sales Incentive Bonus Plan
• Competitive package in a disruptive startup 
• Stock options 
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance with employer-paid premiums 
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability policies 
• Employee Assistance Program with free referrals and discounts 
• 401(k) plan, 3% Match 
• Commuter benefits 
• Annual Training & Development support 
• Flexible vacation policy with a generous holiday schedule 
• Exciting opportunity to work with a talented and fun team

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