Technical Sales Representative

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world's largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.

Location : Mount Kenya Region

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 

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Experience Required 

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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