SALES AGRONOMIST

Farm Manager SA; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Farm Manager SA in South Africa is seeking a results-driven Sales and Market Development Manager with agriculture expertise to grow distribution and drive vegetable and field crops initiatives.

You will identify channel partners, coordinate trials, plan product introductions, conduct farmer trainings, and manage monthly sales plans and targets while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in agriculture preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience in business, technical and sales in agriculture.
• Proven track record working with emerging farmers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional team.
• Willing to travel extensively.

Responsibilities

• Identify, appraise, appoint and develop distribution channel members to ensure robust account management to enhance vegetable and field crops distribution in South Africa.
• Work with regional vegetable TD team to conduct trials, segmentation and positioning of new varieties in the market.
• Plan and implement new product introduction programs including test marketing of new varieties, product launches and commercialization.
• Execute market development programs by conducting farmer led field demonstrations, field days and trainings to accelerate adoption of company products.
• Execute the annual sales plan by engaging in monthly sales planning, forecasting and submitting a confirmed sales plan at both product and customer levels each month.
• Ensure that monthly sales targets and collections are met as per plan.
• Continuously conduct market surveys by gathering and analyzing market intelligence.
• Educate stakeholders on the vegetable and field crops portfolio.
• Manage inventory at the channel level in coordination with merchandisers to ensure movement and avoid stock write-offs.
• Submit a monthly report on sales support activities, performance, monthly planned activities, anticipated outcome and plan.
• Coordinate the design, production and distribution of market merchandise including leaflets and social media content.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Travel willingness

Education

Diploma or agriculture degree

Job description

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in agriculture is preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience in business, technical and sales in the area of agriculture.
• Proven track record working with emerging farmers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional team.
• Willing to travel extensively.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

• Identify, appraise, appoint and develop distribution channel members to ensure robust account management to enhance vegetable and field crops distribution in South Africa, supporting 70% vegetable crops and 30% field crops.
• Work closely with the regional vegetable TD team to conduct trials, selection, segmentation and positioning of new varieties in the market.
• Plan and implement new product introduction programs including test marketing of new varieties, product launches and commercialization.
• Execute market development programs by conducting farmer led field demonstrations, field days and farmer trainings to create awareness and accelerate adoption of the company products among stakeholders.
• Execute the annual sales plan by engaging in monthly sales planning, forecasting and submitting a confirmed sales plan at both product and customer levels each month.
• Ensure that monthly sales targets and collections are met as per plan.
• Continuously conduct market surveys by gathering and analyzing market intelligence i.e customer feedback, competitor products and services, pricing strategies, marketing and branding and market potential information.
• To educate both internal and external stake holders on the vegetable and field crops portfolio including farmer-facing staff, the channel, ministry of Agriculture extension staff and NGO extension staff.
• Manage inventory at the channel level in coordination with merchandisers or channel stockkeepers to ensure movement and avoid stock write-offs.
• Submit a monthly report on sales support activities, performance, monthly planned activities, anticipated outcome and the implementation and execution plan.
• Coordinate the designing, production and distribution of market merchandise including leaflets, grower guide, fact sheets, posters, demo boards and develop relevant content for social media campaigns.

ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted