Technical Sales Representative at Syngenta

Role Purpose

• Accelerate product introduction, promotion and demand creation for both new and existing VEG SE varieties in order to boost the sales.
• Organize demo trials for customers & promote the varieties during the customer visits
•  Provide feedback from Demo trials to the Sales Area Manager.
•  Collaborate with the Marketing & Sales TER and BU teams by providing them with sufficient technical information on the product behavior and performance to help them in the product positioning and sales.
• Be the technical reference for the assigned VEG crops and Area.
• Support the transition/handover between technical, marketing and trialing
• Execute campaign plans in accordance with agreed campaign priorities
• Ensure delivery of Syngenta brand revenue targets
• Achieve participation in the crop units i.e. market data and trials planning
• Sales revenue brand plan

Accountabilities 

Sales Performance

• Achieve and exceed monthly, quarterly and annual net sales and gross profit targets for assigned product portfolio and territory.
• Develop and implement effective sales strategies to grow market share.
• Conduct regular market analysis to drive a competitive strategy for the business.
• Forecasting for the territory on monthly, quarterly and annual basis and ensuring forecast accuracy is achieved.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Lead the introduction of new vegetable seed varieties in the assigned territory.
• Organize and conduct field demonstrations and trials for new products.
• Educate customers on the benefits and cultivation practices of new varieties.

Demand Generation

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the territory.
• Collaborate with the customer experience team and key accounts to co-create and implement. effective marketing campaigns to stimulate demand for Syngenta products.
• Collaborate with marketing team to develop tailored promotional materials.

Key Account Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and distributors.
• Provide technical support and advice to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Manage and support distributors and young plant raisers with the business plans. execution continuously monitoring progress and co-creating effective recovery strategies.
• Manage accounts receivables within the stipulated terms of sales.

People Responsibilities

• Mentor and train Field agronomists.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (R&D, marketing, supply chain).
• Represent Syngenta at industry events and farmer meetings.

Qualifications

Experience Required 

Vegetable Seed Industry Knowledge

• Minimum 5 years of direct experience in the vegetable seed industry.
• In-depth understanding of the Kenyan vegetable market dynamics and trends.
• Familiarity with major vegetable crops grown in Kenya and their production cycles.

Technical Expertise

• Proven experience in providing technical support.
• Ability to conduct and interpret field trials results and showcase product competencies in demonstrations.
• Knowledge of pest and disease management in vegetable crops.

Sales and Account Management

• Demonstrated success in achieving sales targets in the agricultural sector.
• Experience in managing and growing key accounts with large-scale farmers or distributors.
• Track record of successful new product launches in the agricultural market.

Market Development

• Experience in identifying and developing new market opportunities.
• Proven ability to create and implement territory-specific sales strategies.
• Success in demand generation activities for agricultural products.

Stakeholder Management

• Experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders including farmers, distributors, and industry partners.
• Track record of representing a company at industry events and farmer meetings.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Proficiency in analyzing market data and sales trends.
• Experience in using CRM systems and creating sales reports.
• Ability to translate data insights into actionable sales strategies.

Minimum education and critical knowledge required

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture/Crop related fields
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• In-depth understanding of the Kenyan vegetable market dynamics and trends
• Proficiency in Microsoft office
• Experience using CRM systems and creating sales reports
• Ability to collect, analyze and translate data insights into actionable sales strategies
• Familiarity with agricultural regulations and compliance