Workforce Wednesday: Meet a Sales Manager

“Anytime a farmer has concerns about what they have going, we investigate, follow up and troubleshoot for them,” said Wayne Solinsky, Sales Manager at Jay-Mar, Inc. in Plover, Wis. 

Solinsky has worked at Jay-Mar, Inc. for 29 years. He began his career as a warehouse manager, then worked his way into sales, and eventually became the sales manager. Prior to joining the Jay-Mar team, he owned a dairy farm. 

“I wasn't used to crops like potatoes, snap peas, carrots, beets, cucumbers, barley, cabbage, stuff like that,” Solinsky said. “So, that was a learning curve.” 

Despite the early learning curve, Solinsky said he really enjoys his position and helping growers yield better results.  

“It is the relationships that I cherish," he said. “I would say above all, working with great people from my coworkers to the growers and producers. They are so enjoyable to work with.” 

He also enjoys the research aspect of his job as well. 

“I enjoy perfecting the technology and trying to maximize yields with fewer inputs,” he said. 

Different crops require different products and have their own timelines for needs, perfecting this means “producing more with less,” he said. 

"We start our seasons in the late fall,” Solinsky said. 

Towards the end of the year, farmers begin pre-paying for seeds and fertilizers for the next growing season, Solinsky said.  

Solinsky's job functions are different depending on the time of year and needs of his customers. He enjoys that each day is different depending on those needs. 

In the fall and winter months, Solinsky and his sales representatives attend trade shows and work on continuing education credits as required. To maintain his Certified Crop Advisor status, he has to earn a certain number of credits each year. In the spring and summer, he helps his customers to identify issues and responds quickly to those ensuring healthy growth of crops and maximum yields. 

Solinsky said the biggest challenge he faces is misunderstanding and false information that can be easily spread by others.  

“I try to do my part as a spokesperson to straighten out any misconceptions,” he said. “Nothing is done for waste.” 

There are a lot of challenges, hard work and long hours, but the rewards, sense of accomplishment and satisfaction make it all worthwhile, he said. 

“You have to have passion for what you do,” Solinsky said. 

What is something you would have liked to have known on day 1?

Time in the field gets you experience. Experience gives you confidence, confidence is knowledge, and you just can't get that on day one.