Career Opportunities at Plennegy Group

Description

• A role for a Merchandiser has become available in Bloemfontein. The purpose of this role is to stimulate and promote sales of Starke Ayres’ approved range of products at the store level by ensuring that the products are displayed in a neat, highly visible and attractive manner, within the framework of Company policy as determined from time to time.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in unpacking and price marking of Company products at specific retailers where required.
• Ensure that products on display are neatly and attractively arranged and not shop-soiled.
• Ensure that adequate stock levels are maintained.
• Identifies problems and weaknesses that may be the cause of an inadequate stock turnover and/or poor sales.
• Assist in the erection of promotional displays as and when required.
• Assist the Sales Representative (Retail) during in-store promotions.
• Undertake stock counts at specific retailers as required timeously, prior to replacement orders being taken.

Requirements
REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications:

• Grade 12 (Matric) National Senior Certificate (Essential)

Skills:

• Customer Service Skills
• Selling Skills
• Valid Driver's license

Experience:

• 2 years of relevant Merchandiser experience in a retail store

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Description

• A role has become available for a Commercial Sales Representative based in the East London area on a part-time basis. This position is a half-day role, 5 days a week. The role will mainly focus maximize the returns from the sales of Starke Ayres’ approved range of products in the area.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promotion and sales of products in the area to meet sales targets.
• Identify growth areas and revenue opportunities within the area.
• Build and maintain long-standing relationships with new and existing clients.
• Identifies product development needs in his/her sales area.
• Participates actively in the planning, conducting and evaluation of semi-commercial and / or commercial trials and demonstrations, and presentation of field days.
• Converts successful trial results into new business opportunities and orders.
• Conducts cooperative cultivar demonstrations and evaluates new potential cultivars.
• Ensure adequate follow-up is done with customers on trial results and make recommendations regarding optimum cultivar selections.
• Submit monthly reports on sales activities within the area.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Matric (Agricultural Diploma / similar tertiary qualification an added advantage)
• A minimum of 3 – 5 years’ experience in Agricultural Sales
• Proficiency in both English and Afrikaans.
• Computer literacy (word and excel)
• A valid driver’s license.
• A self-motivated, energetic person who can work independently.
• The successful candidate will be dealing with customers and therefore must possess strong communication skills and be an articulate communicator with proven negotiation skills.

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Description

• A role has become available for a Production Officer based in Worcester. The purpose of this role is to ensure that the required amount of good quality and genetically pure seed is produced by the growers

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruiting and contracting Parent seed growers in the area.
• Managing relationships with new and existing growers.
• Conducting regular crop inspections and roguing actions on seed productions.
• Oversee quality control of Parent seed productions.
• Maintain written correspondence with Parent seed growers regarding delivery, processing, Quality Control, and payment information.
• Accurately record and update production information in line with company policy and the relevant statutory bodies.
• Maintain accurate records of agronomy practices followed by Parent seed growers and other factors that might affect the outcome of productions.
• Plan Parent Seed productions to meet the requirements of the Production Budget.
• Attend Production Operations Meetings.
• Remain abreast of developments in the Research Department with regards to new Parent Lines.
• Compare new varieties with variety descriptions and make necessary adjustments if needed.
• Remain abreast and up to date with developments in state and related organisations (SANSOR, National Department of Agriculture)
• Assist the seed cleaning manager in planning of parent seed cleaning schedule.
• Managing relationships with Breeders, Production, and supply chain.
• Regular travel will be required to inspect seed production and exposure to nature’s elements.

REQUIREMENTS:

• B.Tech / similar tertiary qualification, Genetics will be an added advantage.
• 3 years’ relevant experience.
• Knowledge of horticulture (with specialisation in vegetables) will be an added advantage.
• The successful candidate will be dealing with growers and production officers daily and strong negotiation and communication skills are therefore required.
• A valid driver’s license is essential.

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Description

• A role has become available for a Retail Sales Representative for the Gauteng Inland region. The purpose of this role is to achieve maximum sales profitability, growth and market penetration within an assigned geographical area, by effectively selling Starke Ayres’s approved range of products into the Retail and Hardware stores.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops joint-business-plans for key customers, customer sales plans for the balance of customers
• Implements and monitors such strategy on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Consistently achieves monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets.
• Maximizes opportunities for closing a sale and drives market penetration, through sound commercial discussion and negotiation.
• Identifies priority products for his/her area, phased annually, seasonally, and monthly.
• Identifies priority customers in line with the priority products in his/her area.
• Canvasses existing and potential customers regularly in accordance with pre-determined sales routes, calling cycles and appointments.
• Updates existing and potential customers regularly with regards to product information, price lists, point of sales, specials etc.
• Drives priority products based on customer needs, internal strategy, and product benefits.
• Ensures that orders are executed correctly and timeously.
• Contacts customers regularly as per the call cycle, as well as pre-empting and addressing any potential problems swiftly and efficiently.
• Provides necessary advice and information which will ensure that the products are utilized to their maximum potential.
• Conducts in-store customer training programmes to stimulate sales in retail outlets.
• Resolves customer complaints by investigating problems, developing solutions, preparing reports, making recommendations to management, as well as report problems to management where assistance is needed.
• Identifies and/or develops promotion/advertising opportunities in his/her sales area, ensuring a suitable return on investment is achieved.
• Participates actively in the planning and conducting of exhibitions, show-displays, and in-store promotions, managing all expenses within the agreed budget.
• Plans, coordinates, distributes/shares promotion and advertising material such as product profiles, brochures, leaflets, bulletins, posters, display boards and product samples.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A tertiary qualification, preferably a Marketing Degree (NQF 7).
• 3 years’ experience as a sales representative, preferably in the Retail industry
• Selling and presentation skills.
• Valid drivers license
• Computer literacy

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Description

• A role has become available for a Supervisor (Horticulturist) at West Coast Garden Centre. The purpose of this role is to maximize the sales of the Company’s nursery range of products through effective displays, maintenance of sales areas and assistance to customers in a helpful and friendly manner, offering advice as and when required. Assume overall responsibility of product quality in the outdoor area.

RESPONSIBILITY:

• Monitors and controls purchases, quality, pricing, labeling, promotions, and displays of all horticultural products.
• Regularly implements promotions. o Ensures that stock levels are always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.
• Monitors and analyses stock movement.
• Evaluates product range on an ongoing basis and recommend suitable alternatives as requested.
• Ensure that all plants are regularly fed, watered, pruned, and staked when necessary and are maintained in the highest quality.
• Identify problem areas regarding plants.
• Advise sales assistant of the application of fertilizers/insecticides/herbicides in the outdoor area as and when required.
• Provide input with regard to monthly and/or seasonal newsletters for customers
• Plan purchases in line with budgeted forecasts and sales history.
• Negotiate the best price, terms, quality, and most cost-effective mode of transport.
• Ensures that stock levels are always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.
• Expedite orders weekly and review quantities required & delivery dates.
• Receive deliveries of plants, ensuring correct plants are received and that the quality is of the highest standard.
• Ensures that stock is always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.
• Responsible for ensuring maximum profitability of designated departmental product portfolios.
• Oversees the general merchandising and ensures that products are neatly displayed, correctly priced, and labeled, regularly cleaned, and dusted, not shop soiled, and meet acceptable standards with the goal of increasing sales.
• Ensures that the outdoor area meets the expectations of the customers and lives up to its predefined brand image.
• Ensure that sales staff provides excellent, professional customer service always, ensuring a positive shopping experience.
• Assist in building, and lay out, marketing concepts, and oversee the repackaging of promotional material.
• Provides excellent, professional customer service always and fosters a positive working environment on the nursery floor, ensuring a positive shopping experience.

Requirements
RESPONSIBILITY:

Education:

• Diploma / Degree in Horticulture

Knowledge:

• Garden Centre and plant knowledge
• Retail knowledge

Experience:

• 4-years’ experience in retail and management/horticulturist

Skills:

• Computer literate
• Management of staff
• Financial Acumen