Business Manager Germany M/F

Sumitomo Chemical Group; Deutschland; Remote; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Chemical Group is seeking a Business Manager Germany to drive sales growth and lead the German team in a transition from conventional to biorational products. The role requires strong strategic thinking, market analysis, and collaboration with HQ to implement regional commercial strategies.

The position is based in Germany with regular European travel and meetings at the HQ in France. A minimum of five years in sales/marketing and a degree in Agriculture or related fields are preferred.

Qualifications

• Degree in Agriculture or a related field such as Soil Biology, Mycology, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Horticulture.
• Knowledge of Crop Protection industry including Conventional products, Biorational products, Biostimulants, and Plant Growth Regulators; solid understanding of plant physiology, crop production, crop protection, and soil health.
• German: mother tongue; English: fluent.

Responsibilities

• Implement the commercial policy efficiently to ensure profitability and customer satisfaction in close link with customer service, supply chain and label teams.
• Define new go to market and its implementation to increase the company footprint in the region.
• Select parents to increase sales of our existing portfolio and upcoming future innovations for our Biorational and Conventional portfolio, building the regional commercial strategy, including distribution, and go-to-market.
• Regularly analyzing the market (competitors, prices, threats, opportunities) and industry trends based on market intelligence, panels, and personal knowledge to defend the value proposition of the portfolio.
• Creating demand-creation strategies that include customized activities in the territory such as product presentations, ROI demonstrations, field trials, portfolio training, seminars, etc.
• Working closely with the demand creators and maximizing efforts to capture market share, establish distributor, retailer, and farmer relationships, and grow regional influence.
• Propose product life-cycle management (PLCM) actions and work with marketing for product lines.
• Continuously identify commercial risks and opportunities and implement actions to mitigate risks and capture opportunities.
• Manage the team of technical sales in Germany.

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Planning & organization

Relationship building

Grower communication

Independent problem solving

Team HQ liaison

Education

Degree in Agriculture or related field

Job description

Business Manager Germany M/F

Founded in 1913, Sumitomo Chemical is a global chemical company based in Japan, offering a diverse range of products globally in four sectors: Agro & Life Solutions, ICT Solutions, Advanced Medical Solutions, Essential & Green Materials. The global company realizes a turnover of ca. €20 billion (22 billion USD) and employs more than 29.000 people worldwide. In the Agro & Life Solutions sector, Sumitomo Chemical is the 8th largest company, with a strong R&D focused on both conventional and biorational fields. The EMEA headquarters, Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe (SCAE), are based near Lyon in France. As part of significant investments in R&D, Sumitomo Chemical wants to strengthen its efficiency and responsiveness in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

The commercial department is looking for a Business Manager Germany M/F

Mission:

The Business Manager will be responsible for increasing sales in Germany. As part of the Company strategy and to capture ongoing market trends, we are shifting our focus from conventional to biorational. The current regulatory framework in Germany suggests accelerating the transformation. The successful candidate will ensure the implementation of the commercial policy, be accountable for the push strategy and lead the pull activities in the territory. He/she will also manage business managers located in Germany.

Main Responsibilities:

• Implementation of the commercial policy efficiently to ensure profitability and customer satisfaction in close link with customer service, supply chain and label teams.
• Define new go to market and its implementation to increase the company footprint in the region.
• Select parents to increase sales of our existing portfolio and upcoming future innovations for our Biorational and Conventional portfolio, building the regional commercial strategy, including distribution, and go-to-market.
• Regularly analyzing the market (competitors, prices, threats, opportunities) and industry trends based on market intelligence, panels, and personal knowledge to defend the value proposition of the portfolio.
• Creating demand-creation strategies that include customized activities in the territory. These activities include product presentations, benefits packages including grower Return on Investment (ROI), field demo trials, portfolio training, seminars, etc.
• Working closely with the demand creators and maximizing efforts to capture market share, establish distributor, retailer, and farmer relationships, and growing regional influence.
• Propose product life-cycle management (PLCM) actions and work closely with operational and strategic marketing for the product lines.
• Continuously identify commercial risks and opportunities and implement actions to mitigate risks and capture opportunities.
• Manage the team of technical sales in Germany.

We are looking for a candidate with technical and soft skills as follow:

Knowledge:

• Degree in Agriculture or a related field such as Soil Biology, Mycology, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Horticulture.
• Demonstrated Knowledge of the Crop Protection industry, including Conventional products, Biorational products, Biostimulants, and Plant Growth Regulators and a good understanding of plant physiology, crop production, crop protection, and soil health is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in sales, technical sales or marketing and development.
• Experience in selling Crop Protection products including Conventional, Biorationals, Biostimulants, etc.
• Demonstrated commercial skills and understanding of strategic marketing principles.
• Experience in technical selling skills using plots, data, and proof materials to close sales at the grower level.
• Management experience.

Skills:

• Negotiation, strategic thinking.
• Good planning and organization skills.
• Ability to build relationships, communicate with growers, retailers.
• Ability to solve problems and work independently.
• Good communication with HQ and team player attitude.

Language skills:

• German: mother tongue.
• Fluent in English.

Additional information:

We are offering a permanent contract for a position based in Germany. This role requires regular business trips in Europe and meetings in France in the Headquarters (Lyon).