Job Description

An established manufacturer of agrochemicals is seeking the above to provide highly specialised in-field Nutritional and Crop Protection support and expert knowledge to the Crop Advisors, Advisory Team and Regional Sales Managers with the aim to enhance customer sales in the Nelspruit/Tzaneen region.Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have a B.Agric/B.Sc Agric degree
• Minimum of 5 years post-graduate experience in the agricultural industry in Nutrition and/or agrochemicals and/or agriculture is essential
• Must possess BASOS accreditation and be prepared to work towards acquiring an AVCASA accreditation within a reasonable period of time
• Technical and agrochemical knowledge will be required
• Must be computer literate in MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook) and knowledge of .NET would be advantageous
• Must have a valid drivers license, have own reliable transport and be able to travel to support all allocated Crop Advisors and service cross-border clients, if required
• Good communication skills, specifically in English and Afrikaans, with the ability to interface with internal and external stakeholders of all levels, will be required

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Applying functional expertise to develop comprehensive and integrated crop programmes.
• Ensuring the successful implementation of crop programmes, and monitoring the Sales teams performance to ensure that product sales of in-house products are effectively promoted.
• Identifying knowledge gaps amongst Crop Advisors and the Sales team with regards to crop programmes and in-house products in relation to third-party products.
• Developing and implementing area-specific or crop-specific strategies in collaboration with the Regional Managers and Advisory Manager to achieve sales targets.
• Networking with Third Party product suppliers, Universities, Research Institutes and Crop Associations to promote knowledge and awareness of company products.
• Investigating all customer complaint investigations and insurance claims in the region to identify the problem and seek solutions equitable solutions for all concerned.
• Developing spray programs incorporating in-house products for the Crop Advisors, which integrate agrochemical, and nutritional products and adhering to MRL guidelines and label recommendations.
• Using crop programs and technical support services to drive sales strategies in the region.
• Monitoring the correct implementation of recommendations and liaising with the Advisory Manager in terms of corrective action, where necessary.
• Carrying out regular crop inspections during season to find solutions for problems found and make recommendations for corrective action to be taken.
• Performing relevant in-house product trials on specific crops in collaboration with the Portfolio Managers to build knowledge and confidence in products.
• Providing technical support to Crop Advisors through training and on-field analysis across all product classes.
• Investigating and addressing customer complaints that may lead to a claim following the correct claim procedure to log a claim.
• Completing all investigation reports and following up on progress and finding solutions to prevent/manage the claim within a reasonable period of time.
• Ensuring implementation of the solution to prevent the claim escalating and keeping Management updated on the progress.
• Working closely with the Advisory Manager to compile a sales strategy for the Advisory Team.
• Interacting with key influencers in industry to promote in-house products and grow existing client base.
• Acting on leads for new products or new programmes based on the specifics of a crop or region.
• Meeting sales budget targets as set by the Company and broken down into the Regions.
• Communicating product strategies with Portfolio Managers and Regional Managers.
• Working with Crop Associations and Exporters to offer plant health solutions for better management of residues and to create awareness of plant health products and services.
• Setting up budget per product and Crop Advisor and communicate progress and results on a monthly basis to Management.
• Gathering data from the customer to steer in-house product recommendations and sales.
• Ensuring implementation of recommendations is carried out by the Crop Advisors.
• Liaising with Portfolio Managers to identify the strategy for the area and incorporate in the Regional sales strategy.
• Conforming to relevant SHEQ rules and regulations as per company policy for which the incumbent is competent as directed by Management.

Please note that subsequent to the screening and shortlisting process, all further communication will be entered into, only with the shortlisted candidates

Mayfly Group