Trouw Nutrition South Africa has an exciting new role for a Country Manager to be based in Zambia, reporting to the SA Export Manager. The purpose of the position is work with our biggest (potential) customers in order to build long-term strategic partnerships. The Country Manager will be the commercial driver (opening doors, closing deals etc.) and relationship keeper, typically managing a bigger number of smaller accounts.

Job Description:

What are you going to do?

• Strategy Execution

Plans how to establish and maintain major account relationships within their assigned area. Participates with Export Manager in developing sales strategies for national accounts and helps to identify target accounts and opportunities within the framework of the organization-wide strategy and (organic) growth plans.

• Sales planning and execution

(Co-develops and) executes the sales plan for the assigned area in accordance with the set objectives and targets. Making sure in the sales plans are realized and sales targets are achieved.

• Customer acquisition

Based on his/her knowledge of the market and the market intelligence performed by the OpCo approaches and acquires new customers in a proactive manner through various means that may include direct visits, phone, references, etc. within delegated authority (within the sales team), in order to retain and grow the customer base according to expectations and to achieve the sales targets.

• Customer Management

Establishes and builds strong client relationships over time that allow for continuity and ongoing representation and profitability reinforced by sales support/delivery programs. Monitors competitive activity in each account and ensures that appropriate response strategies are formulated and communicated. Can assess progress within a particular account and make a commercial decision about committing future resources to developing the opportunity. Organizes customized customer seminars and coordinate applicable targeted marketing activities

• Value Selling

Builds value for the customer by investigation to uncover explicit needs and develop those needs. Demonstrates company’s capability by explaining how company’s products and services match a customer’s explicit needs (Benefit Statements)

• Internal networking

Responsible to coordinate the internal expertise for accounts by collaborating with the Export Manager, technical team, Pricing and others. Based on input from Marketing and Pricing measures, prepares and quotes customers, in order to advise customers appropriately and to conclude the sale of product.

Proactively aligns (demands and expectations) the internal organization and all relevant stakeholders in order to achieve maximum customer satisfaction.  Responsible to maintain and build own product and technical knowledge in relevant product categories by taking assigned training.

• Issue resolution

Receives, follows up and resolves or ensures resolution of customer complaints / queries in a timely and efficient manner, in close cooperation with colleagues in Sales and Customer Services, in order to satisfy customer expectations and ensure customer retention.

• Administration    

Coordinates, executes, maintains and / or improves various administrative sales processes and systems (CRM), in line with the applicable procedures to ensure an efficient and effective sales administration compliant with policies and regulations. Records the outcome of a sales call and plan future actions which moves the sale towards a successful conclusion – including additional investigation (needs identification) where necessary.

May participate in various sales and customer service-related projects in his / her area and contributes to project results

What we offer

As a Nutreco company, our mission is Feeding the Future. In a world with limited natural resources, our ambition is to meet the rising food needs of a growing world population in a sustainable manner. Working for Nutreco means a fantastic position in an international working environment with plenty of development opportunities, also within the Operations department.

What else is in it for you?

• We will offer you a fulltime position

• Your position is classified in a Nutreco Hay scale.
• You will get competitive amount of annual leave days,
• You will receive an attractive salary based on skills and experience – paid in 12/13 monthly payments
• You will get a Sales Incentive
• Responsibility for your own specialisms and development opportunities within the company.

What we ask

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication and collaboration skills
• Action oriented with a strong Customer Focus
• Motivated with can do attitude
• Ability to grasp new concepts quickly, generate fresh and innovative ideas
• Attention to detail
• Action Orientated

What you bring

• One of the following or related Qualification would be preferred bachelor’s in animal nutrition, Agricultural or Commercial
• 2-3 years’ experience in a sales environment within the Animal Feed industry
• Knowledge in/of extension and farmer support services would be an advantage
• Knowledge of inferences and dynamics of the Livestock sector in the assigned area
• Intermediate PC and keyboard skills with strong knowledge of spreadsheet and word   processing packages
• Excellent Communication skills (verbal and written)

Nutreco, and its livestock business line Trouw Nutrition are equal opportunity employers; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creeds, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental status or any other status protected by applicable local law.

Want to be part of a bigger purpose? Find out how at careers.nutreco.com

Our organisation:

Trouw Nutrition is the global leader in innovative feed specialties, premixes and nutritional services for the animal nutrition industry. Trouw Nutrition provides species-specific nutritional solutions consisting of feed concepts, products and nutritional know-how. The unique combination of products, models and services Trouw Nutrition offers, boosts productivity and supports animal health through all life stages, contributing to our customers’ peace of mind. Trouw Nutrition’s nutrition solutions have met the need of farmers and home-mixers, feed producers, integrators and distributors. Trouw Nutrition has locations in 25 countries and around 5000 employees.  Our mission is Feeding the Future.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 

Trouw Nutrition is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, military status or any other status protected by applicable local law. Please advise us at any point during the recruitment and selection process if you require accommodation. Trouw Nutrition is committed to compliance with all applicable legislation, including providing accommodation for applicants with disabilities.