Key Account Manager Animal Feeds

SUMMARY:
Well established food manufacturing company requires a Key Accounts Manager to sell protein and oil products throughout Southern Africa, to the animal feed industry.
The individual, based in the Western Cape, must develop the customer base through a thorough understanding of the South African protein and animal fats market. A good knowledge of the value, availability and sources of alternatives is key to this position.

POSITION INFO:
Responsibilities
Business Development

• 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 maximising selling opportunities within the greater selling team
• Draw up sales plans for market, segment and customer development.
• Develop and implemented the volume growth plan.
• Identify new markets and customers, approach and introduce company products to customer. Working closely with customer to determine optimal solution for their application
• Liaise with key industry stakeholders to optimise meal inclusion in feed rations of different segments
• New business development strategy and implementation plan

• Maintaining and developing relationships with existing customers in person, via telephone calls and emails.
• Travelling both regionally, and nationally on a regular basis.
• Negotiate terms of an agreement and closing sales within authorised parameters.
• Attain budget across all channels as set out by manager (Volume and Margin).
• Positioning prices for the range to provide value proposition and competition benchmark analysis for price decision.
• Contributing to market intelligence (market -, pricing - and product survey).

• Responsible for customer’s voice within business, addressing all aspects influencing customer service internally and across departments. (non-conformance management)
• Provide customer market and trade information through weekly/monthly communication, both formally and informally.

• Continuously monitoring stock levels per product and site
• Liaising between departments to optimise planning
• Work closely with Sales administrator to manage sales, logistics and stocks.
• Communicate issues on product quality with QC
• Managing MRP of product daily
• Weekly and monthly reporting on activities, figures, and market.

• Weekly reporting on sales performance with manager
• Monthly reporting on division performance against KPI’s
• Quarterly presentation of performance in sales conference

• Participate in safety forums and attend relevant training/programmes
• Comply with safety policies and procedures
• Wear protective clothing (where applicable) at all times

• A degree in Agriculture, Business, Economics, Mathematics, or a related discipline is preferred
• Five-year experience in commodity trading in a similar role
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with a results-driven mindset.
• Confident, self-motivated, and goal-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Effective negotiator with the ability to make quick, data-informed decisions under pressure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and influence.
• Commercially astute with an ability to connect product knowledge to market trends.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel;.
• At least 2 – 5 years relevant experience in Agricultural Commodity Trading
• Well established business relationships in Animal Feed Industry