Agronomy Manager – Central MO

Agronomy Manager – Central Missouri

Ag 1 Source is seeking a driven and hands-on Agronomy Manager to lead the agronomy department for a highly respected cooperative in Central Missouri. This is a new leadership role with a well-established organization looking to expand and elevate its crop production services. The ideal candidate will be a strong people-person who enjoys both operational oversight and farmer-facing engagement, with the ability to manage custom application services, crop input purchasing, and agronomic planning across a close-knit team.

What’s in it for You:

• Join a tight-knit, growing cooperative with a loyal customer base.
• Lead and build out a new role, with significant autonomy and decision-making authority.
• Work with all John Deere equipment and leverage precision ag technologies such as mapping and VRT.
• Oversee a team of experienced operators, custom applicators, and seasonal help.
• Collaborate directly with producers to build custom agronomic plans and product programs.
• Enjoy competitive compensation, full family benefits, and strong retirement.
• Be part of a supportive and stable leadership team focused on long-term service and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the full agronomy operation including seed, fertilizer, chemical, and custom application.
• Handle purchasing and inventory of crop inputs while negotiating pricing and managing vendor relationships.
• Coordinate the daily operations of 4 custom sprayers, including 2–3 contract sprayers.
• Oversee seasonal staff and direct up to 8–10 team members during peak seasons.
• Work with a dedicated fertilizer manager who oversees the fertilizer plant and 3 spreaders.
• Map fields, build complete crop input packages, and develop season-long crop plans with producers.
• Maintain and influence pricing and margin strategies to ensure profitability.
• Lead in technology use such as mapping and VRT recs (handled by a current in-house tech lead).
• Ensure seamless traffic flow of agronomy operations, aligning custom application schedules and customer orders.
• Be involved in sales—building trust with customers and acting as a crop advisor rather than just an order-taker.
• Support and maintain a team-oriented culture, building strong relationships with employees and customers.

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience in agronomy operations or crop production within ag retail or cooperative settings.
• A strong communicator with a people-first mentality and hands-on management style.
• Understanding of agronomy practices, input products, custom applications, and seasonal timing.
• Comfortable with working non-standard hours during peak seasons—this is not an 8-to-5 job.
• Demonstrated ability in managing teams, setting priorities, and executing in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong business sense with knowledge of margins, pricing strategies, and budgeting.
• CCA preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with John Deere equipment and precision ag tools is highly desirable.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Central Missouri trade area.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $80,000 – $100,000+ depending on experience and qualifications.
• Retirement: 100% employer-paid Coop Retirement and 401(k) plan.
• Insurance: 100% employer-paid health insurance for the employee, and 2/3 paid for dependents and/or spouse.
• Outstanding long-term growth potential in a key leadership position.

If you are a motivated leader who thrives in a collaborative and boots-on-the-ground environment and are ready to step into a role that blends operations, agronomy, and customer service, this could be your next career move.

Desired Location: Central MO, near Braymer, MO

*Candidates must be eligible to work in the US as well as meet the qualifications listed above in order to be considered for the Agronomy Manager job.

Job Id: 17647