Product Portfolio Manager - Nutrition, Biostimulants and PGR's

SUMMARY:

An established agrochemical manufacturer is seeking the above to develop and implement marketing strategies for the products within the respective portfolios in order to grow sales, build a regenerative agriculture vision for the business and upskill the sales team to drive the adoption thereof.

POSITION INFO:

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have a B. Tech or B. Sc. (Agric) degree
• Must be AVCASA or BASOS accredited
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant work experience in a technical or sales related field within an agricultural environment
• Must possess sound knowledge of the agricultural industry as well as products and markets
• Knowledge of Act 36 of 1947 and its supporting guidelines pertaining to product registrations
• Must be in possession of a valid driver’s license, have own reliable transport and be medically fit to drive
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint)
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial flair to see projects through to completion

• Strategically managing portfolios, exploiting strengths and opportunities while counteracting weaknesses.
• Driving a vision for the adoption of a regenerative or conservation agriculture approach in commercial crop production.
• Producing forecasts of product sales to assist with raw material purchasing and production scheduling.
• Identifying market opportunities and potential products, activities, and delivery mechanisms to exploit these opportunities.
• Actively participating in regional agent training meetings and assisting with farmers’ days to promote in-house products.
• Preparing annual sales forecasts and budgets for the specific area.
• Liaising with external parties regarding research initiatives to build intellectual property.
• Evaluating sales figures for the area monthly, writing reports outlining performance and concerns, initiating strategies to grow sales, and identifying threats to the in-house product range.
• Compiling realistic product/sales budgets each year in collaboration with Technical Advisors and Regional Managers.
• Liaising with the Commercial Manager regularly to monitor stock holding and plan raw material procurement based on realistic sales forecasts.
• Initiating new product ideas and advising R&D on desired labels and product intent, providing realistic market analysis and product positioning.
• Providing answers to Technical Advisors and Regional Sales Managers regarding all technical aspects of the products in their portfolio.
• Identifying potential new products to balance or bolster portfolios and drive sales growth.
• Initiating or undertaking field demonstration trials with various products to develop the business’s intellectual property.
• Developing product labels for new products and assisting with trial protocols for development work.
• Assisting in investigating customer complaints.
• Promoting new developments and technology within the portfolio.
• Monitoring competitor activity regarding pricing, new products, and promotional strategies, and taking timely corrective action.
• Ensuring marketing literature is updated and supported by new trial data and assessing appropriateness of use by Technical and Sales teams.
• Developing new markets and monitoring market changes.
• Organizing and attending agent training days, roadshows, farmers’ days, crop symposiums, and marketing conferences.