Job Description

A key agricultural input supplier to a large segment of vegetable producing farms across our country is looking for a Sales Representative - Vegetable seeds. Their product, which is vegetable seed, is of a living nature, and its value is directly proportionate to its yield potential. The company is part of an international organization that is family owned and they have cemented their high ethical values and unique business culture in the way they treat colleagues and clients.

The company has its headquarters in Gauteng with their commercial team spread over South Africa.

The Sales Representative needs to drive the overall company's commercial strategy by increasing market share, maintaining an applicable customer portfolio within the targeted sales region and assist the introduction of new viable varieties. He/she is directly reporting to the Area / Sales Manager and the Managing Directors.

Key areas of responsibility: * Sales / Client Management: Perform sales & promotion of Rijk Zwaan varieties according to the commercial objectives

• Sell seeds
• Build strong customer focused networks by visiting growers, plant raisers, dealers and supply chain partners.
• Provide detailed technical cultivation advice to growers, plant raisers and distributors
• Assist in the collection of overdue accounts
• Deal promptly with potential complaints
• Planning & reporting: Prepare the sales planning and to report about this to the Sales Manager / Managing Director

• Draft, upload & frequently update the Sales forecasts & Commercial Strategy on the designated system per variety & customer.
• Maintain customer records by using inhouse Client Relations Management tools :

- Crop & Culture information
- Contact details
- Customer interests * Capture weekly records in relation to performed activities, sales opportunities in the area and activities of the competition by using Contact moments on CRM

• Product Development: Participate in product development activities and variety choice

• Plan and execute trials on varieties for commercial introduction or penetration (Phase 3xe2x86x924xe2x86x925) and conclude these trials with a detailed evaluation report stipulating their performance and value in relation to the customer's commercial standard varieties. Where applicable, trials should be recorded on Agora Trials application
• Collect feedback from the clients about their needs and requirements regarding varieties and specific traits in the varieties
• Participate in local Crop Meetings and deliver input related to the area / crop / varietal assortment
• Marketing: Collaborate in promotional and marketing activities

• Co-organize local Demo days and participate actively in Field days / exhibitions and seminars.
• Collaborate in drafting leaflets, catalogues, newsletters and advertising
• Gather market information about the area, the client and the crop and supply information within set deadlines to Crop Specialists / Responsible.
• Communication: Ensure proper communication with the relevant stakeholders

• Ensure that the Area / Sales Manager or MD and the logistical department are well-informed about the progress of the sales and the orders
• Keep close contact with the Trial coordinators and Crop Specialists in order to be well-informed about the problems and bottle-necks they experience in the crops under his/her responsibility

Requirements for the Sales Representative

• An university degree in agriculture or equivalent, or 2-3 years of relevant work experience in sales in the horticulture industry
• Pro-activity and self-motivation
• Know-how of sales techniques and product development
• Good analytical, reporting (computer literate) and interpersonal skill
• Open and global attitude
• Team player
• Fluent in English
• Focus on building long term relations
• Good negotiation skills
• Customer service oriented
• Integrity

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