Sales Associate/Business Development (Agriculture experience essential) (Stellenbosch)

SUMMARY:
Sales Associate/Business Development (Agriculture experience essential) (Stellenbosch)

POSITION INFO:

ENVIRONMENT:

Our client, a pioneering Agriculture Technology company with offices in Johannesburg and Stellenbosch, is seeking a skilled Sales Associate to support their Commercial team in onboarding new clients and driving business development. This role is key to expanding their customer base and requires a blend of relationship management and sales expertise. The successful candidate will be responsible for building a strong sales pipeline, increasing brand and product awareness, converting leads into sales, and driving product growth within targeted regions.

DUTIES:

Client Acquisition and Relationship Management:

• Identify, engage, and develop relationships with prospective clients in the fresh produce industry.
• Conduct thorough market research to identify potential areas and clients for business expansion.
• Travel extensively to meet with prospective clients, understanding their needs and presenting tailored solutions.

Sales Process Management:

• Manage the entire sales cycle from lead generation to closing deals, ensuring a seamless and effective process.
• Develop and deliver compelling sales presentations and product demonstrations.
• Negotiate contract terms and conditions to meet both client and company requirements.

CRM Utilisation:

• Use HubSpot CRM to track and manage all sales activities, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, sales progress, and forecasts.
• Generate and analyse sales reports from HubSpot to identify trends, measure performance, and make data-driven decisions.

Customer Support and Follow-Up:

• Provide exceptional post-sale support to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
• Follow up with clients to ensure they are effectively using the SaaS platform and address any issues or concerns promptly.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with the account operational team to ensure there is a clear handover and implementation of new clients
• Collaborate with the product development team to relay client feedback and contribute to product improvement.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with the sales manager and other team members regarding sales activities, challenges, and successes.

Market and Industry Knowledge:

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, market conditions, and competitive landscape in the fresh produce sector.
• Attend industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events to expand industry knowledge and network.

Training and Development:

• Participate in ongoing training and development programs to enhance sales skills and product knowledge.
• Include non-client facing employees in sales meetings and client visits to increase their knowledge of the fresh produce industry

REQUIREMENTS:

Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Agricultural Economics or a related field
• Driver’s licence (This role will include travelling)

Job Related Experience

• 2 - 3 years’ experience in a Agritech or agricultural company, logistics provider, perishable commodity agent / retailer or commercial farming company in a planning, operational, logistics or solutions role.
• Experience in in sales, preferably in a SaaS company

ATTRIBUTES:

• Someone to enhance the positive company culture with a high emphasis on morals, values and diversity
• Someone who looks forward in being part of a team that loves the bokke
• Preferably someone with a passion for/experience in the agriculture and /or logistics & technology industries
• A go-getter that can grow with the company
• The commercial team works as a strong unit and needs members to fuel everyone''s success
• Strong negotiation and closing skills.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic and ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in using CRM tools, specifically HubSpot.
• Excellent problem solving and organisational ability.
• Ability to travel extensively and manage a travel schedule effectively.
• Proven ability to be part of a team and collaborate across departments.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Proven verbal and written communications skills in English and Afrikaans.
• Excellent attention to detail.