Job Description

An international agribusiness company in crop protection that has been an allay to farmers for many years is looking for a Technical Advisor. This company has an extensive range of products and services, and aims to work with farmers to preserve natural resources, restore soil biology and address the need for producing nutritious food.
Purpose of the job:

• To provide highly specialised in-field support and expert knowledge specific on Small Grains, but including Potatoes and Wine Grapes, to the Crop Advisors and Regional Managers in terms of the company's in-house products, as well as Third Party products, to enhance sales.
• Work closely with Advisory Manager to enhance the Sales Team's overall knowledge of crop programmes and in-house products through specialised training and ongoing mentorship.
• Provide advice on complex technical matters to further the knowledge of the Advisory Team, Regional Managers and Crop Advisors on in-house and Third Party product and services across all product portfolios.
• Provide expert assistance to all Crop Advisors based in their specific regions, particularly in terms of complex complaints and claim management processes where additional support and technical knowledge is required.
• Ensure that current crop programmes and services within the Advisory Dept adhere to local regulations and labels and make recommendations to Advisory Manager for improvement where appropriate.

Required outputs: Functional
SPRAY PROGRAMS:

• Assume responsibility for the development of spray programs incorporating in-house products for the clients which integrate agrochemical and nutritional products and adhere to MRL guidelines and label recommendations.
• Use crop programmes and technical support services to drive sales strategies in the region.
• Monitor the correct implementation of recommendations.
• Carry out regular crop inspections during season to find solutions for problems found and make recommendations for corrective action to be taken
• Perform relevant in-house product trials on specific crops to build knowledge and confidence in products.

TRAINING:

• Apply functional expertise to organise training workshops for Crop Advisors on in-house products per crop integrating the full in-house range with Third Party products as required.
• Engage effectively with customers.
• Provide technical support to Crop Advisors through training and on-field analysis across all product classes.

SALES SUPPORT:

• Work closely with Advisory Manager to compile a sales strategy for the respective Advisory team for the specific crops.
• Interact with key influencers in industry to promote in-house products and grow existing client base and act on leads for new products or programmes based on specifics of a crop or region.
• Execute the company strategy to grow in-house nutritional products and differentiate the company in the market place.
• Responsible for meeting sales budget targets as set by the company and broken down into the regions.
• Communicate product strategies with Portfolio Specialists and Regional Managers
• Work with Crop Associations and Exporters to offer the company's solutions for better management of residues and to create awareness of the company's products and services.
• Meet budget targets as set by the company
• Communicate product strategies with Portfolio Managers

SALES MEETINGS:

• Work closely with Advisory Manager and Regional Manager in the area to determine the strategy and sales budget of in-house and 3rd Party products.
• Set up budget per product and Crop Advisors on in-house products to enable them to include these into regional budgets and forecasts.
• Responsible for the technical support and training of Crop Advisors on in-house products to enable them to include these into regional budgets and forecasts.
• Gather data from customer to steer in-house product recommendations and sales.
• Ensure implementation of recommendations is carried out by the clients.
• Liaise with Portfolio Specialists to identify the strategy for the area and incorporate in the Regional Sales Strategy.

Requirements- Qualifications and Expertise required:

• Minimum educational requirement Grade 12 with post matric tertiary qualification of a B.Agric/B.Scs. Agric degree.
• Must possess AVCASA or BASOS accreditation and be prepared to work towards acquiring both accreditations within a reasonable period of time.
• Minimum of 5 years post graduate experience in the agricultural industry in agrochemicals and/or agriculture and/or nutrition.
• Must possess good customer relationship skills.
• Must possess technical knowledge and experience in Small Grains, Potatoes and Wine Grapes.
• Computer literate MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook)
• Knowledge of .NET would be advantageous.
• A sound working knowledge of Safety, Health and Environmental practices is essential.
• Must be in possession of a valid driver's license, have own reliable transport and be medically fit to drive.
• Must be able to travel to support all allocated Crop Advisors and service cross-border clients if required.
• Ability to work independently.
• Must possess good communication (verbal and written), planning, organisation, presentation, technical, people and presentation skills.
• Must be safety orientated.
• Possess the ability to solve problems systematically.
• Fluency in both English and Afrikaans is a prerequisite.

Personal attributes/ Competencies:

• Technical knowledge and expertise
• Working with people and working independently
• Relating, networking, planning and organising
• Deciding and initiating action
• Coping with pressures and setbacks
• Problem solving, presenting and communicating
• Persuading and influencing
• Attention to detail
• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations

The company is committed to enabling individuals, previously disadvantaged by discriminatory practices to gain full and equal access to opportunities appropriate to their competency and potential.
All applications to be submitted in English
Apply with cover "letter" in message box online.

Skills Required