Agricultural Business Development

Switch Consultants; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

An agricultural consulting firm in Cape Town is looking for an Agricultural Business Development professional to promote products and expand the customer base. Responsibilities include executing marketing strategies, conducting customer visits, and providing excellent service. Ideal candidates should have a BSc Agric degree, strong technical sales experience, and a valid driver’s license. The role requires a passion for agriculture and willingness to travel extensively.

Qualifications

• BSc Agric degree in relevant fields.
• Strong technical sales experience is essential.
• Valid drivers license required, willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Promote products to increase customer base.
• Assist with market research and marketing strategies.
• Develop relationships with customers.
• Conduct international customer visits.

Skills

Technical sales experience

Decision making

Critical thinking

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Sales management skills

Education

BSc Agric degree in Horticulture, Soil Science, Agronomy or Plant Production

AVCASA in Crop Protection

BASOS/FERTASA certification

Postgraduate qualification

Tools

MS Office

Diagnostic scientific software

Job description

About the job Agricultural Business Development

JOB PURPOSE: To promote products and services to customers and increase customer base.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the Commercial Director to execute commercial and marketing strategy and company objectives
• Assist with market research and the development of marketing strategies to ensure continued growth of the products in the designated areas.
• Call on regular or prospective customers to solicit orders
• Demonstrate products and provide essential information, e.g., product availability, price, new developments, and market trends
• Promoting the brand and our products
• Integrate with the science team by reviewing and approving marketing and training material, etc.
• Potentially manage product trials to gather information for commercialisation and sales purposes
• Provide support to customers as and when the need arise
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers
• Provide excellent advice, service and support to customers, to ensure optimal usage of our products for crop health and production in the targeted crop segments
• Conduct international visits to customers in areas of interest
• Arrange and coordinate various commercial and marketing activities, these may include field days, farmer meetings and commercial presentations
• Maintain industry awareness regarding technical developments via networking, personal development and training
• Plan and execute key projects
• Perform any other adhoc duties as and when required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• BSc Agric degree in Horticulture, Soil Science, Agronomy or Plant Production
• An AVCASA in Crop Protection and BASOS/FERTASA certification would be beneficial
• A postgraduate qualification will be beneficial
• Biostimulant experience will be beneficial
• Valid drivers license and willingness to travel extensively
• Strong technical sales experience, decision making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Proven extensive work experience in a similar role
• Proficiency with computers, especially MS Office and diagnostic scientific software
• Exceptional active listening and verbal and written communication skills
• Awareness of industry trends, technology, and developments
• Sales management and presentation skills