Agricultural Business Development

Switch Consultants; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Switch Consultants in Cape Town seeks an Agricultural Business Development professional to promote products and services, build customer bases, and drive growth across designated areas. You will support commercial and marketing strategies, conduct market research, demonstrate products, and foster strong customer relationships to enhance crop health and production.

The role involves travel, product trials, and collaboration with the science team to align marketing materials with technical data,

Qualifications

• BSc Agric degree in Horticulture, Soil Science, Agronomy or Plant Production is required.
• AVCASA Crop Protection certification is beneficial.
• A postgraduate qualification will be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Commercial Director to execute commercial and marketing strategy and company objectives.
• Assist with market research and development of marketing strategies for growth.
• Call on regular or prospective customers to solicit orders.
• Demonstrate products and provide essential information (availability, price, new developments, market trends).
• Promote the brand and products.
• Review and approve marketing and training material with the science team.
• Potentially manage product trials to gather information for commercialisation and sales purposes.
• Provide support to customers as needed.
• Develop and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Provide excellent advice, service and support to ensure optimal product usage for crop health and production.
• Conduct international visits to customers in areas of interest.
• Arrange/commercial activities like field days, farmer meetings, presentations.
• Maintain industry awareness through networking and training.
• Plan and execute key projects.
• Perform other adhoc duties as required.

Skills

Technical sales

Decision making

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Active listening

Verbal communication

Written communication

MS Office

Diagnostic software

Sales management

Presentation skills

Education

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

AVCASA Crop Protection certification

BASOS/FERTASA certification

Tools

MS Office

Diagnostic 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