Trainer at Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd.

Reporting to the Communications & Training Lead, the Field Trainer is responsible for all Training and Programs execution in Retail and across the network, at a time where remarkable step change is required (customer profitability, service excellence and Retail support) in a dynamic economic landscape.

• The role is responsible for implementing training programs that raises visibility and improves the operational effectiveness of Retail Sales & Operations and the Retail Network, promoting high performance to enable improved Site Profitability, Retailer Accountability for sustained improvement in service levels to customers and increased job satisfaction for CSA’s, supervisors etc.
• Works closely with the Sales team and Retailers to train on-site personnel and drive continuous improvement in operating standards, processes and procedures that will significantly improve the overall competitiveness, customer experience and ultimately the performance of the Retail business.
• In addition, the role ensures that adequate training is provided and sustained for all new site staff and that all new programs and initiatives are well supported by site staff, including rolling out and supporting the new brand. Customer experience is critical to the success of the network and therefore the Trainer is expected to ensure that this is measured, and improvement initiatives implemented where gaps exist.

Financial Perspective

• Conduct execution observations to ensure effective and efficient implementation of training programs, tools and processes, and etc.
• Manages operational expenses in line with approved budgets.
• Develop a training plan and manage the training budget for the area/region. 

Customer Perspective

• Gain good understanding of each site performance against required customer KPI’s, and develop the required intervention and/or improvement initiatives
• Ensure consistent high- quality customer service standards are maintained at each site across the network, and flag inconsistencies for intervention
• Arrange, manage, and facilitate site training
• Actively support/handhold re-branded sites until standards are met.
• Support Branded Marketers to ensure standards are maintained across the network.
• Support Branded Marketers to ensure standards are maintained across the network.
• Demonstrates excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills; varying style to fit the audience as needed; presents information in a logical sequence, uses appropriate visual aids; excellent listening skills; manages group dynamics and time on learning topics

Internal Processes

• Provide monthly performance reports, attendance records and action tracking to ensure targets are achieved.
• Share relevant training outcomes and reports with the Sales Management to assist with areas of competencies and skill building development.
• Partner with sales teams in the achievement of operational goals via training, learning & development

Operational Excellence

• Deliver and execute training programs to develop and improve product knowledge and customer service by CSA’s, for all Retail sites as appropriate according to class of trade mix and priorities.
• Support the Branded Marketers via coaching and exchanging best practice to ensure seamless and consistent customer experience across the Astron Energy network
• Facilitate and/or deliver a variety of topics that include (Brand, Card Offering, Environmental Compliance, Customer Service, Customer First, Image Stewardship, Auto Replenishment, Wet Stock Management, Fuel Ordering, Credit, Product Knowledge, Sales Tools.
• Work closely with sales operations to understand business performance and provide guidance and input or proposed actions towards performance improvements

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• Tertiary Qualification preferably BCom, Sales & Marketing, Finance, HR
•  Suitably qualified candidates with substantial retail service station experience
• Certified trainer will be preferred

Work Experience:

• 5 years of retail service station experience in the sales and/or training environment
• Financial and business acumen
• Strong and demonstrable understanding of retail service station operating costs and financials

Knowledge and skills:

• Teamwork: Critical
• Communication: Critical
• Strategy Deployment: Critical
• Achievement: Critical
• Customer Focus: Critical
• Ability to adapt to change: Critical
• Incumbent must have a clear understanding of Sales and Marketing operations within South Africa. Develops strong relationships with sales teams.
• Demonstrates an ability to enforce all terms and conditions of the retail agreements.
• To be effective, it is important that the incumbent has strong financial, analytical skills, has a solid working knowledge of PC software applications (i.e., Excel & PowerPoint), possess a good understanding of the oil industry in RSA and the overall Sales & Marketing objectives and vision to ensure alignment of goals with strategic direction.
• Needs minimal supervision & at times will operate under tight or stringent deadlines.  Strong negotiation and consultancy skills required. Collaboration with other functional groups to execute for enterprise value. Notable change management is required as the rebrand program completes over a 5y period.
• Reporting on skills GAP analysis conducted, actively working with Sales Teams and Retailer to close identified GAPS.