Job Openings at Plennegy Group

RESPONSIBILITIES

Selling

• Establishes, develops and maintains business relationships with current customers and prospective customers in the assigned geographical area to generate new business for the organization’s products/services.
• 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.
• Is responsible for formulating a customer Sales plan. Impliments and monitors such a strategy on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Canvasses existing and potential customers regularly in accordance with pre-determined sales routes, calling cycles and appointments.
• Inform and update existing and potential customers regularly with regard to product information, price lists, specials etc.
• Promotes priority products based on customer needs and product benefits.
• Follows up on customers without orders in order to keep abreast of product applications, technical services, market conditions, competitive activities.
• Is responsible for formulating and implement a VIP customer sales planning and strategy for each season.
• Continuously improve his/her calling cycle in order to improve efficiency and service delivery to customers in a economically viable way to the Company
• Displays a good knowledge base and understanding of products of the company as well as opposition products
• Follows up on customer sales history and success rates in order to secure repeat orders.

Customer Service

• Contacts customers regularly, pre-empting and addressing any potential problems swiftly and efficiently.
• Expedites the resolution of customer problems and complaints
• Provides necessary advice and information which will ensure that the products are utilized to their maximum potential.
• Ensures thorough preparation is done prior to customer visits which includes information pertaining to sales history and forward planning of the customer.
• General networking in the industry and region to identify potential sales opportunities and follows through to expediting.

Product Development

• 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.
• Continuous reporting and feedback on status and results of trials of the above trials to RSM's, relevant PM's and customers.
• Converts successful trial results into new business opportunities and orders.
• Continuous update PM`s with our product shortcomings and phase 2 trial needs to increase market share in future, and report on this on a monthly basis.
• Distributes promotion and advertising material such as product profiles, brochures, leaflets, bulletins, posters, display boards and product samples.
• Plan and oversee the planting and evaluation of screening and phase 2 trials at strategic regions and customers (as identified in conjunction with the sales teams) and present the final results and recommendations at Range planning meetings.
• Conducts co-operative cultivar demonstrations and evaluates new potential cultivars.
• Motivate and introduce semi-commercial trials to sales teams with the necessary supporting documents and trial results
• Maintain adequate records of all screening and Phase 2 trials and submit detailed reports of trial results and observations to the participating customer and relevant sales staff.
• Ensure adequate follow-up is done with customers on trial results and make recommendations regarding optimum cultivar selections. 

Administration

• Completes orders clearly and legibly, and with all details as prescribed.
• Submits orders to National Customer Service Department promptly.
• Completes the relevant seed complaint documentation accurately and promptly.
• Regularly submits weekly reports, expense claims and any other reports as may be required from time to time.
• Assists with the collection of outstanding debts.
• Updates the Customer information on Sage for his / her area on an ongoing basis.
• Regularly updates the unit budget on Sage in accordance with sales requirements for his / her area.
• Submits monthly forecast reports timeously
• Submits detailed and up-to-date monthly reports timeously.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (Essential)
• Diploma in Marketing or Agriculture (Preferential)
• Drivers License (Essential)
• Previous experience within agricultural sales of at least 2 years
• Be fluent in Afrikaans
• Be fluent in English

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RESPONSIBILITIES:

Determining branch strategies by

• Gathering pertinent business freight service and operational information
• Identifying and evaluating trends and opportunities
• Determining sales / operational strategies, defining objectives and evaluating the outcome

Achieving operational results by

• Monitoring / enforcing the application of Branch inbound / outbound procedures and service standards
• Reviewing operations performance via Freightware and management reports in terms of damages, claims, productivity, PODS processed, load times, customer complaints, delivery problems, special requirements etc.
• Monitoring fleet needs, maintenance costing and sub-contractor service levels
• Handling major customer complaints and problems
• Conducting route re-engineering, as indicated
• Recommending new operations policy / procedures and methods

Maintaining branch administration and financial control by 

• Reviewing and authorising creditors’ payments / reconciliations
• Reviewing / authorising petty cash expenditure and reconciliation
• Authorising branch expenditure within agreed limits
• Reviewing and authorising staff change documentation including engagements, terminations, salary / wage adjustments, transfers, promotions etc
• Monitoring the application of all administrative procedures and take action with regard to deviations, including banking, vehicle and tyre maintenance, vehicle logs, etc
• Reviewing branch profit and loss accounts, taking and maintaining appropriate action
• Monitoring outstanding debts and implementing collections, as indicated
• Undertaking branch assets and freight security auditing, investigating and reporting on deviations from asset register or freight holding reports
• Ensuring the maintenance and Integrity of the branch IT and communication systems
• Branch Asset control, such as fleet, building and Maintenance, and company equipment

Maintaining staffing levels, identifying training and development needs within branch by

• Recruiting and selecting branch staff
• Ensuring the orientation of all new and promoted employees
• Developing / ensuring implementation of branch training and development plans
• Ensuring a safe, healthy and secure working environment and compliance with Labour Legislation
• Developing succession and EE plans and personal growth opportunities
• Developing / reviewing position descriptions, communicating job expectations to direct reporting, managing performance, coaching, counseling and disciplining employees to ensure the achievement of performance and productivity standards
• Ensuring compliance with all HR policies, practices and administrative procedures
• Close interaction and motivation with the Sales Teams and clients
• Assisting with New business development, to ensure branch sales targets are met

Developing new business by

• Qualifying potential clients in terms of requirements (volumes, distribution areas, current providers, cargo types etc.) with sales team
• Gathering market intelligence / information in terms of freight service opportunities, competitor activities and reports, accordingly
• Monitoring credit applications submitted by sales team for approval and expediting same

Achieving branch sales results by

• Understanding sales expectations, monitoring team performance and correcting where needed
• Identifying target markets / sales opportunities and routes
• Preparing sales filters, assessing clients against standard profiles, reviewing and setting rates in conjunction with sales team
• Obtaining approval for new client proposals
• Monitoring, investigating, administering and approving client claims

Maintaining client services and sales volumes by

• Handling client enquires, queries and problems and facilitating resolutions
• Conducting monthly and weekly sales meetings with sales staff
• Identifying and capitalize on service / sale extension opportunities
• Advising rate increases and processing procedural changes
• Building client relationships at all level
• Identifying client sales volume declines and implementing corrective action

REQUIREMENTS:

• Grade 12 Minimum (Matric)
• Basic knowledge on Managerial / people management principles
• Strategic Management  
• Approximately 3 / 4 years in Transport or freight related environment
• In depth understanding of freight processes, including Freightware and similar Management systems.
• Basic understanding of road transport and traffic ordinances in SA
• Basic understanding of all organisational discipline (Marketing, HR, finance and info technology etc.)
• Computer operation, Basic MS Word, Intermediate Excel ,PowerPoint
• Formal presentation and group facilitation
• Financial interpretation
• Problem solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle customer queries and complaints – taking the necessary correctly action as and when required
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines the majority of the time
• Ability to work unsociable hours as and when required
• Ability to communicate on all levels – both internally and externally
• Ability to work unsupervised the majority of the time
• Ability to communicate job expectations to direct reports
• Ability to work as a team player
• In possession of a valid unendorsed driver’s license (code 08)
• Assertive
• Self-motivated
• Reliable
• A high degree of integrity required
• Presentable and of a professional manner
• Excellent time management and administrative skills 

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RESPONSIBILITIES:

Secretarial Services

• Assists the National Sales Manager & Sales Officer and Regional Sales Managers with their daily tasks by proactively establishing their daily priorities and rendering the necessary support and follow up.
• Types all letters, memos, reports, etc.
• Develops and manages a filing system and files all documents in an orderly manner.
• Collects and checks incoming and distributes outgoing mail.
• Sends e-mails and general Company correspondence.
• Receives and screens all incoming calls, deals with them professionally and promptly and ensures that messages are distributed and tended to as speedily as possible.
• Routes all outgoing calls as requested to the desired third party and follows up as necessary.
• Arranges air travel and booking of accommodation as and when required, locally and overseas.
• Monitors movements of designated personnel during periods of absence from the office and ensures that he/she/they may be contacted with the minimum delay when required.

Confidential Communications

• Maintains a high level of responsibility and integrity when dealing with matters of a confidential nature.
• Maintains a watchful eye in the office environment, ensuring that no confidential documents are left unattended.

Reports and Documentation

• Processes and generates accurate reports and other working documents necessary for effective management.
• Assists with the compilation and recording of statistics for reports.
• Identifies and develops effective management systems which will contribute to improved workload and time management.

Conference and Meetings

• Organises conference, meetings and other Company functions i.e. Year End Function as required.
• Takes minutes at meetings and distributes them as required.

Customer Service

• Creates a culture of superior customer service in his/her dealings with internal and external customers.
• Fully co-operates with other departments within the Company in the execution of their duties.

Seed Sales Representatives

• Processes and generates accurate reports and other working documents necessary for effective management.
• Assists with the compilation and recording of statistics for reports.
• Identifies and develops effective management systems which will contribute to improved workload and time management.
• Arranges air travel and booking of accommodation as and when required, locally and overseas

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualification

• Grade 12 National Senior Certificate
• Admin/Business Tertiary Qualification

Experience

• 3+ years previous Experience as a secretary/admin assistant/personal assistant