Permanent
Starke Ayres: Africa Product Development Manager
Plennegy (Pty) Ltd
Unknown, Gauteng
unknown
About this role
Employer: Plennegy (Pty) Ltd
Introduction:
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 following position has become available for an Africa Product Development Manager, based in Kempton Park.
Description:
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 following position has become available for an Africa Product Development Manager, based in Kempton Park.
Purpose: To develop, manage, and optimise Starke Ayres’ seed product portfolio across African markets by leading product development, regional adaptation, and go-to-market enablement, in alignment with company strategy and policies, to support sustainable growth and long-term market success.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
+ Evaluates Starke Ayres’ seed product range, on an on-going basis and identifies actual and potential weaknesses. Recommends new cultivar introductions to and deletions from the product range.
+ Liaises with Research Services / Suppliers in the identification of new, improved cultivars for testing and evaluation.
+ Foster good relationships with plant breeders and suppliers and advise on customer / industry requirements and trends to assist with assessing the viability of products in local and International Breeding programmes.
+ Monitor National Unit Budgets and stock planning for the portfolio
+ Manage and co-ordinate the receipt of trial seed and allocation thereof for trials in the various regions.
+ Plan and oversee the planting and evaluation of screening and phase 2 trials at strategic regions and customers (as identified in conjuction 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.
+ Supplies comprehensive written product information necessary for the formulation of an effective promotion, advertising and product support programme and participates actively in the planning and implementation of such a programme.
+ Liaises with the National Operations Department with regard to seed quality matters.
Requirements:
REQUIREMENTS:
Qualification
+ Grade 12 (essential)
+ B Agric (essential)
+ BSc Agric (ideal)
Experience
+ 5-10 Years sales/marketing (essential)
+ Agronomy experience (essential)
Other
+ Valid drivers license
+ Extensive travel out of South Africa