Technical Advisor - Eastern Free State at AECI Limited

Job Description    

SPRAY PROGRAMS:

• Assume responsibility for the development of spray programs incorporating in-house products for the clients which integrate agrochemical and nutritional products and adhere to MRL guidelines and label recommendations.
• Use crop programmes and technical support services to drive sales strategies in the region.
• Monitor the correct implementation of recommendations.
• Carry out regular crop inspections during season to find solutions for problems found and make recommendations for corrective action to be taken.
• Perform relevant in-house product trials on specific crops to build knowledge and confidence in products.

TRAINING:

• Apply functional expertise to organise training workshops for Crop Advisors on in-house products per crop integrating the full in-house range with Third Party products as required.
• Engage effectively with customers through the Turbo toolbox selling methodology.
• Provide technical support to Crop Advisors through training and on-field analysis across all product classes.

SALES SUPPORT:

• Work closely with Advisory Manager to compile a sales strategy for the respective Advisory team.
• Interact with key influencers in industry to promote in-house products and grow existing client base and act on leads for new products or programmes based on specifics of a crop or region.
• Execute the company NuWay strategy to grow in-house nutritional products and differentiate AECI Plant Health in the market place.
• Responsible for meeting sales budget targets as set by the company and broken down into the regions.
• Communicate product strategies with Portfolio Specialists and Regional Managers.
• Work with Crop Associations and Exporters to offer AECI Plant Health solutions for better management of residues and to create awareness of AECI Plant Health products and services.
• Meet budget targets as set by the company.
• Communicate product strategies with Portfolio Managers.

SALES MEETINGS:

• Work closely with Advisory Manager, Advisory Specialist and Regional Manager in the area to determine the strategy and budget of in-house and 3rd Party products.
• Set up budget per product and Crop Advisors on in-house products to enable them to include these into regional budgets and forecasts.
• Responsible for the technical support and training of Crop Advisors on in-house products to enable them to include these into regional budgets and forecasts. 
• Gather data from customer to steer in-house product recommendations and sales.
• Ensure implementation of recommendations is carried out by the clients.
• Liaise with Portfolio Specialists to identify the strategy for the area and incorporate in the Regional Sales Strategy.

Qualifications & Experience    

• Minimum educational requirement Grade 12 with post matric tertiary qualification of a B.Agric/B.Sc Agric degree.
• Must possess AVCASA or BASOS accreditation and be prepared to work towards acquiring both accreditations within a reasonable period of time.
• Minimum of 5 years post graduate experience in the agricultural industry in agrochemicals and/or agriculture and/or nutrition.
• Must possess good customer relationship skills.
• Must possess technical and agrochemical knowledge.
• Computer literate MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook)
• Knowledge of .NET would be advantageous.
• A sound working knowledge of Safety, Health and Environmental practices is essential.
• Must be in possession of a valid driver’s license, have own reliable transport and be medically fit to drive.
• Must be able to travel to support all allocated Crop Advisors and service cross-border clients if required.
• Ability to work independently.