Agriculture OPT Jobs in North Carolina
North Carolina's agriculture sector spans tobacco, sweet potatoes, poultry, and horticulture, with major employers like Smithfield Foods, Mountaire Farms, and Syngenta operating across the state. F-1 OPT students in agricultural sciences, food science, and related STEM fields can find sponsorship opportunities in the Research Triangle, the Coastal Plain, and the Piedmont region.
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Field Sales Agronomist I - GROWMARK, Inc. - Remote (NC)
Company: GROWMARK, Inc.
City: Raleigh
State: NC
Salary: Please note: This position is part of a career ladder with multiple levels, ranging from Associate FSA to Senior FSA. The selected candidate will be placed into the appropriate level based on their qualifications and experience, and compensation will be commensurate with that level.
GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT
Accountable for profitable sales and market share growth of FS supported seed and provides agronomy technical and sales/marketing leadership for GROWMARK with assigned FS companies.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Leads and initiates sales calls with targeted growers coordinated with assigned FS companies to promote FS supported seed brands with primary emphasis on FS seed, crop protection products, plant food, and plant performance products.
- Provides technical and marketing leadership, promotes, and supports implementation of GROWMARK Agronomy key marketing initiatives.
- Provides professional field level agronomic and sales support to targeted crop specialists and growers with information concerning the features and corresponding agronomic benefits of GROWMARK Agronomy products and services versus the strengths and weaknesses of other key competitive products and services.
- Leads assigned FS companies in implementation of key targeted grower strategies and programs for Beyond Boundaries and identified key accounts.
- Leads the promotion of GROWMARK agronomy products and services consistent with business plans.
- In collaboration with the Agronomy Business Director, ensures that FS seed supply intents are developed and communicated to the appropriate GROWMARK Agronomy personnel.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS
- Support other activities such as ASP, training and certification testing.
- Follows GROWMARK’s Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
Normally requires a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business or Agronomy, or the equivalent thereof, and 1 year or more of ag sales related work experience to demonstrate knowledge of seed and crop protection sales.
Must have passed the CCA and CCS (or CCS proficiency exam).
Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development.
Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
Occasionally required to lift 51 to 70 pounds.
Have the ability to travel independently and overnight as needed.
Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK’s policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position.
At GROWMARK, we are dedicated to supporting the long-term financial well-being of our employees through a fully funded pension, a cornerstone benefit that ensures security for the future. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a variety of supplemental plans like accident, critical illness, disability, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection. To promote a healthy work-life balance, employees enjoy generous paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and parental leave, giving you time to recharge and focus on what matters most. Additionally, our 401(k) plan with company matching helps you plan for retirement, while our free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports your overall well-being. Whether you're starting your career, balancing family life, or planning for retirement, our company is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that meets your needs at every stage. Benefits eligibility may vary depending on the position.
Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. In addition to base pay, certain roles may be eligible for bonuses, incentives, and commissions.
We are an equal opportunity/Disabled/Protected Veteran Employer. All individuals, regardless of demographic or other background, are encouraged to apply. Further, as a federal, state, and local contractor, we comply with government regulations and executive orders as applicable, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with disability and protected veterans.
Employment is contingent on, among other things, receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.
SECURING YOUR FUTURE, ONE BENEFIT AT A TIME.
Our benefits package is designed to support every aspect of our employees’ well-being—from health plans to paid time off, a fully funded pension, and more.
We provide benefits that meet their needs today while also ensuring a secure future with comprehensive retirement plans for long-term financial stability.
Offerings include, but are not limited to:
- Pension
- 401(k) & Employer Match
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- HSA & Employer Contributions
- Life Insurance
- Disability
- Identity Protection
Nearest Major Market: Raleigh
Job Segment: Scientific, Developer, Field Sales, Sales Support, Facilities, Engineering, Technology, Sales, Operations
OPT Agriculture Job Roles in North Carolina
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Search Agriculture Jobs in North CarolinaAgriculture OPT Sponsorship Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which agriculture companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in North Carolina?
North Carolina agriculture employers that have historically hired international students on OPT include Syngenta, Bayer CropScience, Smithfield Foods, Mountaire Farms, and Corteva Agriscience. Research universities like NC State University also hire OPT students in agricultural research roles. STEM OPT extensions are particularly relevant for food science, agronomy, and biotechnology positions, which tend to attract more structured sponsorship programs.
Which cities in North Carolina have the most agriculture F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Raleigh and the Research Triangle area concentrate the most agriculture OPT opportunities, largely because of NC State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the agribusiness companies clustered nearby. Goldsboro and Kinston in the Coastal Plain see demand in poultry processing and crop production. Rocky Mount and Wilson have activity in tobacco and food manufacturing, where food science OPT roles arise regularly.
What types of agriculture roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include agronomist, food scientist, agricultural engineer, plant pathologist, soil scientist, and agricultural data analyst. STEM-designated programs in food science, plant science, and agricultural engineering make graduates eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving employers additional time to transition candidates toward H-1B visa sponsorship. Seasonal farm labor positions generally do not qualify, as OPT requires work directly related to your field of study.
How do I find agriculture F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters jobs by visa type and state, making it straightforward to browse agriculture F-1 OPT positions in North Carolina without sifting through listings that don't sponsor. You can filter by the Agriculture and Farming industry alongside the F-1 OPT visa category to surface employers actively open to OPT candidates. Pairing Migrate Mate with NC State's career resources and agribusiness networking events in Raleigh broadens your reach.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in North Carolina agriculture?
North Carolina's agriculture industry includes a significant number of small and mid-size farms that typically lack the HR infrastructure to support formal OPT sponsorship or future H-1B transitions. Larger agribusiness and food manufacturing employers, particularly those with R&D functions or corporate headquarters, are better positioned to support the documentation and compliance requirements that come with hiring OPT students. Targeting employers with established international hiring programs improves the likelihood of a smooth sponsorship process.