Background

Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting.

The purpose is to achieve maximum sales profitability, growth and market infiltration within an assigned geographical area by effectively promoting and selling Starke Ayres’ approved range of products within the framework of Company policy as determined from time to time.

The following position has become available for a Promoter:Field Promoter to be based in Chipata: Eastern Province (Zambia)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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.
• Identifies priority customers in line with the priority products in his/her area.
• Is responsible for formulating a customer Sales plan. Implements 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. Keeps abreast of product applications, technical services, market conditions, competitor activities.
• 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.
• 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 S & M Manager, relevant PM’s and customers.
• Converts successful trial results into new business opportunities and orders.
• Continuous update Sales Agronomist and Country Manager with our product shortcomings and phase 2 trial needs to increase market share in future, and report on this monthly.
• Communicates orders clearly and legibly, and with all details as prescribed to the responsible area Sales Rep
• 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.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Grade 12 Certificate
• Diploma / Agricultural degree (preferential)
• At least 2 years in the agricultural industry, including specific experience in vegetable seed sales and marketing (Essential)
• Advanced general agricultural knowledge
• Knowledge in soil science and fertilizer recommendation.
• Pest and disease control Knowledge
• Registered with with the Agricultural Institute of Zambia (ideally)

• 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.
• Identifies priority customers in line with the priority products in his/her area.
• Is responsible for formulating a customer Sales plan. Implements 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. Keeps abreast of product applications, technical services, market conditions, competitor activities.
• 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.
• 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 S & M Manager, relevant PM’s and customers.
• Converts successful trial results into new business opportunities and orders.
• Continuous update Sales Agronomist and Country Manager with our product shortcomings and phase 2 trial needs to increase market share in future, and report on this monthly.
• Communicates orders clearly and legibly, and with all details as prescribed to the responsible area Sales Rep
• 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.

• Sales and Marketing
• Customer Relationship Management
• Product Promotion
• Sales Planning
• Market Analysis
• Agricultural Knowledge
• Soil Science
• Fertilizer Recommendation
• Pest and Disease Control
• Networking
• Reporting

• Grade 12 Certificate
• Diploma / Agricultural degree (preferential)
• At least 2 years in the agricultural industry, including specific experience in vegetable seed sales and marketing (Essential)
• Advanced general agricultural knowledge
• Knowledge in soil science and fertilizer recommendation.
• Pest and disease control Knowledge
• Registered with with the Agricultural Institute of Zambia (ideally)