Excellence. Pride. Integrity. Compassion. Trust. Are you ready to plant your career in a place where words like these serve as the foundation for doing business every day? At Michigan Sugar, our purpose is Making Life Sweeter, and our mission is Creating Growth and Opportunity.
Michigan Sugar Company has an immediate full-time opportunity for an Agronomist, which will work remotely within the West District (East portion of growing area).
Job Summary
The Agronomist serves as the primary agronomic advisor for assigned growers, providing expert guidance on agronomic practices to optimize yield, crop quality, and long-term sustainability.
This role supports growers throughout the production cycle, including field scouting, crop planning, and harvest coordination. The Agronomist also assists Agricultural Operations during harvest by monitoring incoming loads to ensure proper storage conditions and evaluating weather-related risks that may impact harvest decisions.
In addition, the Agronomist coaches and supports Agriculturists to enhance their technical knowledge and effectiveness. The role contributes to Michigan Sugar Company’s outreach initiatives, including youth and young farmer programs, and collaborates with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment on agronomic strategies.
During the winter season, this position partners with the Agronomy Manager to plan and deliver grower education programs
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide sound agronomic advice to growers and Agriculturists
- Serve as the agronomy specialist for assigned districts
- Consult with growers on:
- Variety selection and placement
- Disease management programs
- Soil fertility and crop health
- Scout fields throughout the growing season and recommend solutions for issues such as emergence, disease, insects, and weeds
- Utilize and support agronomic technologies, including:
- Variable rate seeding
- Satellite imagery
- Develop and support agronomy programs, including grower services and technology adoption
- Collaborate with Agronomy and Research leadership to identify and implement practices that benefit growers and the cooperative
- Develop and deliver presentations at grower meetings and internal events
- Support and promote Michigan Sugar Company in a positive and professional manner
- Running early dig lottery (i.e Bay City)
- Collaborate with agricultural retailers and industry partners to maintain strong working relationships
- Assist with grower education meetings and outreach initiatives
- Partner with Ag Logistics to support Maus operations
- Perform other duties as assigned
Position Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in field consulting or agronomic advising preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Strong agronomic knowledge and technical expertise
- Ability to provide trusted, data-driven recommendations to growers
- Strong communication and public speaking skills
Key Competencies
- Strong attention to detail
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Effective collaboration and teamwork skills
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage conflict professionally
- High level of integrity and ethical standards
- Demonstrates professionalism and positive role-model behavior
- Ability to learn and adapt to new tools, technologies, and software
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence grower practices and build long-term relationships
- Ability to mentor and support the development of team members
NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by staff assigned to this position. The above statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that may be required. All staff may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities as needed.
Michigan Sugar Company offers competitive salary, opportunity for professional growth, and provides excellent medical insurance 100% company paid. A comprehensive benefits package includes: dental and life insurances, 401k match, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave and more. To learn more visit www.michigansugar.com.
Michigan Sugar Company was founded in 1906 when six smaller sugar companies merged their operations. In 2002, Michigan Sugar Company became a grower-owned cooperative and in 2004, it merged with Monitor Sugar Company to form the company that exists today.
Michigan Sugar Company is headquartered in Bay City and has sugarbeet processing facilities in Bay City, Caro, Croswell and Sebewaing, Michigan. Its nearly 900 grower-owners plant and harvest up to 160,000 acres of sugarbeets each year in 20 Michigan counties, as well as Ontario, Canada. Those beets are sliced at the factories and turned into about 1.3 billion pounds of sugar annually.
That sugar is sold to industrial, commercial and retail customers under the Pioneer and Big Chief brands.
Michigan Sugar Company has 930 year-round employees and an additional 1,100 seasonal workers. It is the No. 1 employer in Huron County, the No. 2 employer in Bay and Sanilac counties and the No. 3 employer in Tuscola County. The company’s annual payroll is more than $65 million and its annual local economic impact is about $500 million.
Michigan Sugar Company is the third largest of nine sugarbeet processing companies in the United States and Michigan is one of 11 states where sugarbeets are grown in the country.
Michigan Sugar Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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