Job Description

Introduction:
Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties both for commercial and home garden planting.
Description:
Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for a Sales Representative, based in Nelspruit area. The purpose of this role is to maximize the returns from the sales of Starke Ayres approved range of products in his/her area within the framework of Company policy as determined from time to time.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Selling

• Establishes, develops and maintains business relationships with current customers and prospective customers in the assigned geographical area to generate new business for the organizations products/services.
• Identifies priority products for his/her area, phased annually, seasonally and monthly.
• Identifies priority customers in line with the priority products in his/her area.
• Is responsible for formulating a customer Sales plan. Impliments and monitors such a strategy on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Canvasses existing and potential customers regularly in accordance with pre-determined sales routes, calling cycles and appointments.
• Inform and update existing and potential customers regularly with regard to product information, price lists, specials etc.
• Promotes priority products based on customer needs and product benefits.
• Follows up on customers without orders in order to keep abreast of product applications, technical services, market conditions, competitive activities.
• Is responsible for formulating and implement a VIP customer sales planning and strategy for each season.
• Continuously improve his/her calling cycle in order to improve efficiency and service delivery to customers in a economically viable way to the Company
• Displays a good knowledge base and understanding of products of the company as well as opposition products
• Follows up on customer sales history and success rates in order to secure repeat orders.

Customer Service

• Contacts customers regularly, pre-empting and addressing any potential problems swiftly and efficiently.
• Expedites the resolution of customer problems and complaints
• Provides necessary advice and information which will ensure that the products are utilized to their maximum potential.
• Ensures thorough preparation is done prior to customer visits which includes information pertaining to sales history and forward planning of the customer.
• General networking in the industry and region to identify potential sales opportunities and follows through to expediting.

Product Development

• Identifies product development needs in his/her sales area.
• Participates actively in the planning, conducting and evaluation of semi-commercial and / or commercial trials and demonstrations, and presentation of field days.
• Continuous reporting and feedback on status and results of trials of the above trials to RSM's, relevant PM's and customers.
• Converts successful trial results into new business opportunities and orders.
• Continuous update PM`s with our product shortcomings and phase 2 trial needs to increase market share in future, and report on this on a monthly basis.
• Distributes promotion and advertising material such as product profiles, brochures, leaflets, bulletins, posters, display boards and product samples.
• Plan and oversee the planting and evaluation of screening and phase 2 trials at strategic regions and customers (as identified in conjunction with the sales teams) and present the final results and recommendations at Range planning meetings.
• Conducts co-operative cultivar demonstrations and evaluates new potential cultivars.
• Motivate and introduce semi-commercial trials to sales teams with the necessary supporting documents and trial results
• Maintain adequate records of all screening and Phase 2 trials and submit detailed reports of trial results and observations to the participating customer and relevant sales staff.
• Ensure adequate follow-up is done with customers on trial results and make recommendations regarding optimum cultivar selections.

Administration

• Completes orders clearly and legibly, and with all details as prescribed.
• Submits orders to National Customer Service Department promptly.
• Completes the relevant seed complaint documentation accurately and promptly.
• Regularly submits weekly reports, expense claims and any other reports as may be required from time to time.
• Assists with the collection of outstanding debts.
• Updates the Customer information on Sage for his / her area on an ongoing basis.
• Regularly updates the unit budget on Sage in accordance with sales requirements for his / her area.
• Submits monthly forecast reports timeously
• Submits detailed and up-to-date monthly reports timeously.

Requirements:
REQUIREMENTS:

• Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (Essential)
• Diploma in Marketing or Agriculture (Preferential)
• Drivers License (Essential)
• Previous experience within agricultural sales of at least 2 years
• Be fluent in Afrikaans
• Be fluent in English