Business Project Lead Agriculture

Mayfly Agri (Pty) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural company seeks a candidate with expertise in supply chain management and client relations for a senior position. The role involves evaluating business opportunities, managing relationships with key stakeholders, and analyzing project needs while leveraging strong negotiation skills. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and exhibit a high-level understanding of the agricultural landscape.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years relevant experience.
• Experience in agricultural input products and farming practices is advantageous.
• Strong negotiation skills in Afrikaans and English.

Responsibilities

• Evaluating business opportunities with selected partners.
• Conducting regular meetings with channel partners.
• Monitoring external environment for market opportunities.

Skills

Client relations

Negotiations

Commercial agreements

Demand planning

Supply chain management

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Communication

Education

B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics

Job description

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have a B., B. Sc. or similar degree; an Agricultural Economics qualification would be an advantage.
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience.
• Experience in client relations, negotiations, commercial agreements, demand planning, and supply chain management would be highly advantageous.
• Must have working knowledge of agricultural input products and general farming practices.
• Entrepreneurial experience and business acumen are advantageous.
• General understanding of the agricultural input value chain, including key industry stakeholders (associations, industry bodies, competitors, farmers).
• High-level understanding of the broader agriculture landscape and dynamics, with a strong ability to work in and manage cross-functional teams (not direct reports), including internal stakeholders, customers, and channel partners.
• Strong negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills in Afrikaans and English.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, even in difficult circumstances.
• Excellent skills in project management and effective planning.
• Must be assertive, structured, disciplined, and a self-starter.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluating business opportunities with selected partners to identify customer needs, challenges, and scope for implementing differentiated value propositions and channels to market.
• Performing needs analysis on product requirements and identifying opportunities to aggregate products for bulk supply.
• Evaluating technical inputs and support required.
• Transforming needs into a budget and project plan.
• Discussing budgets with WUSA Department Heads to devise value propositions, supply plans, and support requirements.
• Performing key account visits to leading farmers to ensure communication, identify challenges, and resolve issues.
• Conducting regular meetings with channel partners and stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges, and monitor progress.
• Reporting and discussing opportunities, challenges, and progress with WUSA Departmental Heads and Group Executives.
• Collaborating with the Group Executive to refine, transition, and prepare opportunities for execution.
• Monitoring external environment for trends, disruptions, and market opportunities, and presenting insights.
• Preparing and delivering updates and recommendations to channel partners, stakeholders, and clients.

Note: Subsequent to screening and shortlisting, all further communication will be only with shortlisted candidates.