Product Specialist (Green Industry)

From Inventory to Impact: Bloom Your Career in the Green Industry!

Are you passionate about the green industry and enjoy working outdoors in a fast-paced environment? If so, we would love to hear from you! This position is perfect for individuals with experience in green goods—such as perennials, shrubs, and other horticultural products—or for those eager to explore a professional career in the green industry and enhance their knowledge while becoming a valuable resource. We’re looking for a dedicated collaborative team player who thrives on coordinating multiple tasks and contributing to a dynamic team.

In this hands-on position, you will have the unique opportunity to combine your sharp analytical skills with your problem-solving talents as you engage directly with customers and our internal teams. You’ll be at the forefront of customer engagement and operational excellence, using your exceptional communication skills to provide vital updates and insights that keep our teams and partners aligned.

Your ability to navigate inventory challenges and streamline the allocation process will ensure our customers receive top-quality products without delay. We’re looking for a proactive individual who is dedicated to collaboration and will play a crucial role in enhancing our inventory management and logistics, driving efficiency and performance throughout our operations.

By taking ownership of your responsibilities, you'll manage multiple priorities and make a meaningful impact on our team's success. If you’re ready to thrive in a collaborative environment where your passion for the green industry and talent for building strong relationships can truly shine, this is your chance to be part of a thriving organization.

About Us: Utopian Plants has a growing location in Indiana and is optimally located for specializing in hardy, local container plant production. This brand provides the Brehob Distribution brands with perennials, grasses, shrubs, and groundcover.

This role is a full-time onsite role with frequent travel between brands located in Westfield and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Salary Range: $50,000-$60,000

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Support: Ensure all crops are turned on when ready and show on the availability. Review orders against the availability to make recommendations to the Sales Manager about crops that are missing from the availability but are held on orders that don’t seem to be shipping before the next crop is ready.
• Product Allocation: Ensure that the availability list and relevant systems are regularly updated to accurately reflect changes based on the grower's notifications of product readiness, including adjustments to ready dates, trimming requests, and resolutions to IPM concerns.
• Internal Customer Relationships: Provide excellent communication with the brands to inform them of material that is ready and answer any sales inquiries. Inform the brands of any potential specials they could run on material we are long on. Work closely with the production manager to ensure that material is being shifted into appropriate sizes at the right time to supply production, distribution, and protect the availability.
• Expert Resource: Manage orders for production and distribution brands to ensure that the proper amounts of crops are allocated to each order and are shipped within the season. This also entails freeing up material from orders as needed to protect the availability and supply other customers.

Essential Job Duties:

• Engage regularly with brands to discuss order details, upcoming crops, and specific needs, ensuring their demands are understood and met effectively
• Create, export, proofread, and format the availability on a weekly basis.
• Protect the availability by updating product availability to accurately reflect real-time changes
• Build strong relationships with growers to facilitate better understanding of production changes, ensuring accurate and timely updates regarding product readiness.
• Inspect all crops on the farm and ensure they show available when ready.
• Manage, ship, and inspect brand orders and manage steel rack inventory.
• Regularly provide the Sales Manager with updates on product availability, order status, crop readiness, and any potential issues that could impact sales.
• Maintain open channels of communication with the sales team to relay critical updates regarding crop availability and any production issues. Support sales initiatives by relaying customer feedback and potential new opportunities based on product readiness and trends.
• Actively partner with the procurement team to monitor and fill truck shipping spaces, ensuring logistical efficiency and timely deliveries.
• Coordinate with customers, drivers, and internal teams to facilitate smooth order execution and timely deliveries. Ensure that drivers are informed of shipping schedules and any potential changes to orders.
• Coordinate brand shipping by arranging freight for outgoing production and distribution loads.
• Work proactively with the fulfillment team to identify unpicked orders and assess their status. If necessary, facilitate the release of these orders to outside availability.
• Capture high-quality photographs of available products across various growth cycles and ensure that these images are promptly uploaded to the relevant systems.
• Execute regular inventory audits of hoop and hut houses, ensuring that physical counts are accurate. Record and update data entry of these audits to maintain transparent inventory management.
• Prepare and print accurate product tags.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Competencies for Success:

• Job & Technical Expertise:
  • Demonstrate a depth of knowledge and skill in inventory management, production coordination, and logistics, ensuring efficient operation of order processing and supply chain activities.
• Results Orientation:
  • Focus on achieving individual and team goals related to order fulfillment and inventory accuracy. Set challenging objectives, align efforts to meet or exceed these goals, and celebrate successes.
• Customer Service & Retention:
  • Exhibit a strong commitment to satisfying both internal and external customers by building relationships, providing timely information, and addressing inquiries effectively to enhance overall customer satisfaction.

• Personal Accountability:
  • Take responsibility for individual and team performance by setting clear goals, monitoring progress, and seeking constructive feedback. Hold oneself accountable for achieving results and continuous improvement.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills:
  • Develop and strengthen relationships with stakeholders both inside and outside the organization. Utilize effective communication to share information, facilitate collaboration, and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

• Teamwork & Collaboration:
  • Promote a collaborative environment by working effectively with colleagues across various functions. Share insights and expertise to support team objectives and enhance overall operational performance.
• Develops Self & Others:
  • Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning by seeking opportunities to enhance personal knowledge and skills. Support the development of team members by mentoring and sharing best practices, fostering a culture of growth.

• Strategic Thinking & Vision:
  • Anticipate potential challenges and opportunities within the production and supply chain landscapes. Implement proactive strategies that align with organizational goals, ensuring preparedness for possible contingencies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Required: 3 years of experience in inventory management, order processing, or a related role. Preferred within the agricultural or distribution sectors
• Required: Strong computer skills, including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with data entry and management software
• Required: Will travel to brands in Westfield and Indianapolis up to a couple of times a week, with increased travel anticipated from March to December
• Highly Preferred: Experience/Passion in Horticulture or Agriculture fields, or related fields, like landscaping, garden centers, and/or nurseries

We honor our core values and expect our employees to as well. They are work hard, take pride in your work, be optimistic and respectful, show commitment, and continually grow.

We invite individuals who think like we do and will position us for major organizational growth to apply today. Join us in revolutionizing the green industry!

All applicants will be required to take the Culture Index survey. If you’d like to be considered faster, please copy and paste the following into your browser to complete the survey now: https://go.apply.ci/s/A550CC0000

Please select the one named, Utopian Plants - Product Specialist

Salary : $50,000 - $60,000