Key Accounts Manager: Eastern & Western Cape: IVM at UPL

Main mission

To assist the UPL IVM division in growing, in sales and market share, through the currently and future IVM distribution network the designated region and be the Project Manager for the Galela Kakhule Project.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (includes the following)

Field Agent support 

• Regular visits to all Key customers (List A) with structured feedback to Business Manager
• Update Business Manager on field information, trends, limitations to portfolio, pricing and quality issues
• Drive sales of focus products with Key customers (List A)
• Technical Assistance to Key customers (List A)

Technical & Marketing 

• Close collaboration with Marketing Department to align on projects.
• Implementation of agreed Marketing Plans
• Collaborate with marketing on client incentives – where applicable
• Create a strategy to develop high margin products to their maximum with Key Customers
• Marketing Intelligence (Interact with agents and farmers, getting information about competition and market)
• Regular communication with the Cape & National teams
• Key Markets: Local tenders (including RT-12), Bush encroachment, Aquatic, Pasture management and General Industrial Vegetation Management.
• Technical and Product training for the IVM distributors, Rural farmers and Extension officers in the Galela Kakhule Project and on request from the Cape Agricultural team, the Nexus Agents & Technical personnel

Sales & Forecasting 

• Grow Key customers (List A) sales & SOW at UPL
• Assisting Business Manager with structure inputs in forecasting and sales projections
• Assist the team in formulating a commercial strategy for key products

Portfolio Management 

• Assist in developing and implementation of strategies
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Market Analysis and Research
• Cross-functional Collaboration with other UPL departments
• Regulatory Compliance

Risk Management

• Agricultural Farmer Advisory Services (AFAS) Project
• Setup demo plots with relevant stakeholders.
• Regular visit to ensure crop is growing well and identify any possible problems
• Train relevant UPL stakeholders and the Umtiza farmer advisors

 Product claims 

• Successful complained handling and communication to the UPL team
• Agent visit with Marketing & Technical Associates to access the situation and provide feedback to the UPL team
• Document all information and providing structured feedback to the rest of team

Administration 

• Keeping to Team structures & processes
• Administration support for UPL up to date
• Feedback and reporting done on time and of high standard
• Participate in social media & WhatsApp share of Marketing and Field events
• Training and career development (Individual & Team)

Key competencies required for the role

Skills:

• Change management
• Communication
• Self-motivated
• Team player
• Creativity
• Customer focused
• Individual development
• People Leadership
• Result orientation

Educational background / Experience:

• Relevant BSc 
• AVCASA
• 5+ years’ experience in Agricultural Chemical environment