Technical Advisor

SUMMARY:
Seeking a Key Accounts Manager for large national company. The position will be based in the Western Cape.

POSITION INFO:
The main task of this position is to sell protein and oil products throughout Southern Africa, to the feed industry. The position must develop the customer base through a thorough understanding of the South African protein, vegetable oil and animal fats market. A good knowledge of the value, availability and sources of alternatives is key to this position.

Requirements:

• Must have the ability to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the political, trading, and economical environments affecting the business, to ensure the right strategies are being developed and followed.
• Contribute towards maximizing selling opportunities within the greater selling team to ensure that all sales opportunities are maximized in the animal feed sector.
• Draw up sales plans per market segment and customer group. This should analyze the volume and profitability potential in the different segments and should dictate future capex developments and possible expansion.
• Develop and implemented the volume growth plan.
• Identify new markets and customers, approach and introduce products to customer.
• Work closely with customers to determine ideal solutions for their application.
• Maintain and develop relationships with existing customers in person, via telephone calls and emails.
• Travel, both regionally and nationally, on a regular basis.
• Negotiate terms of an agreement and close sales within authorized parameters.
• Attain budget across all channels as set out by the manager (Volume and Margin).
• Position prices for the range in order to provide value proposition and competition benchmark analysis for price decision.
• Contribute to market intelligence (market, pricing and product surveys).

• Job title: Key Account manager - Feed
• Reports to: Commercial Director
• Direct Reports: None
• Department/Business Unit: Commercial

• Product and market research and assisting with new product development in the field
• End-to-end responsible for developing products and driving innovation according to NPD plan
• Maximize product profitability and improve product performances by value added products
• Ensure competitiveness and innovation of products and processes from a technological and commercial view
• Apply all relevant international regulations/norms/standards – as applicable
• Implement and follow the NPD gated process in respect to product development
• Develop new and innovative products within the respective segments (as per commercial strategy) – in conjunction with NPD department
• Gain and maintain a decent knowledge of the technical properties of the different products, its applications, and the animal feeds industry
• Customer queries
• Responsible for customer’s voice within business, addressing all aspects

• BSc Agri (Animal) Science Degree
• At least 2 – 5 years relevant experience in Agricultural Commodity Trading
• Technical knowledge and market experience essential
• Well established business relationships in the Animal Feed industry
• Computer literacy, especially Microsoft Office Excel