Key Accounts Manager: Feed at Southern Oil (Pty) Ltd

Description 

• The main task of this position is to sell the protein, oil/fat(s) and derivatives of Southern Oil PTY Ltd products. The position must develop the customer base through a thorough understanding of the South African protein, vegetable oil and animal fats market within the feed segment. Focus on developing the feed sales team in servicing the sector and driving customer excellence.

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 to ensure that all sales opportunities are maximised in the animal feed sector
• Draw up sales plans for market, segment and customer development.  This should analyse the volume and profitability potential in the different segments
• Develop and implemented the volume growth plan.
• Identify new markets and customers, approach and introduce SOILL products to customer. Working closely with customer to determine optimal solution for their application
• Liaise with key industry stakeholders to optimise Canola meal inclusion in feed rations of different segments
• New business development strategy and implementation plan

SALES

• 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).

STOCK MANAGEMENT

• 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.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• 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.

MARGIN MANAGEMENT

• Managing SOILL meal, oils and fats pricing against benchmarks
• Marketing products strategically based on region and product benefits per segment to grow margin.
• Benchmark products against key alternatives implementing and reporting on strategy

REPORTING

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

Health and Safety

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

Requirements
Qualification and Experience

• 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

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Customer service orientated
• Aptitude of continuous learning
• Excellent negotiation skill
• Excellent communication skills in Afrikaans and English, both written and spoken
• Goal driven
• Accept responsibility and accountability
• Be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Initiative and drive
• Reliable and disciplined
• Professionalism and presentable
• Assertive

Deadline:31st December,2025