Area Manager

Who are we? SOLEVO is a leading distributor of chemicals and inputs for specific industrial and agricultural segments in Africa. SOLEVO assists African farmers and Industries succeed by providing them with a full range of fertilizers, seeds, crop protection products and industrial chemicals they need with a guaranteed quality and good value. With over 75 years at the frontier of economic growth and transformation across Africa, we deliver critical raw materials and expertise to the continent's high GDP-contributing life sciences and industrials sectors. Rolfes Agri is part of Solevo Group. What are we looking for? We are seeking an experienced and talented Area Manager. This role is vital for ensuring the growth and sustainability of Rolfes Agri's market presence. What do we expect from the candidate? The candidate will join the Agricultural Products team. The objective of this role is to lead and support commercial activities within the assigned territory, ensuring the implementation of strategic sales plans and team management. The key responsibilities are: Provide input towards identifying developing and formulating products as per Solevo requests. Execute legwork on tailored packaging and labelling requirements liaising with Rolfes Agri internal departments e.g. production and procurement. Conduct costings of finished products and shipping scenarios as applicable and working with Commercial Director on all aspects of component costings, finished goods prices and margin levels. Liaise with relevant Solevo business development and procurement staff. Negotiate deals and pricing (case by case ongoing and always as mandated and approved by the Commercial Director). Track and expedite confirmed orders both at Rolfes Agri (e.g. production and shipping departments etc.) as well as relevant Solevo counterparts. Develop and implement strategies for business growth within the assigned portfolio in collaboration with Rolfes Agri teams and relevant Solevo representatives. Contribute towards identifying needs and design/formulation of product requirements focusing on innovation and adding value to Rolfes Agri's product offering. Provide technical advice to Solevo and their users (farmers in various regions) on product use on various crops in collaboration with Rolfes Agri in‑house experts and departments. Assist in developing crop solutions in collaboration with Rolfes Agri in‑house experts, departments and under the mandate of the Commercial Director. Assist with managing logistics and supply chain arrangements for stock, performing costings and related scenarios, tracking of confirmed and in‑progress orders, and similar activities. Manage sales forecast within company systems including MRP systems for the portfolio assigned and as directed by the Commercial Director. Collaborate with in‑house crop and product experts by actively participating in knowledge‑sharing initiatives, including training sessions, study groups, and peer‑to‑peer support to ensure continuous learning. Manage, control, and optimise consignment stock according to company guidelines and rules. Sales activities may require visiting customers locally or abroad; the extent is guided by the Commercial Director. Must‑Have Qualifications Grade 12 (Matric). Agricultural Qualification – National Diploma or Degree in Agriculture. Croplife or BASOS certificate (must be obtained within one year if not currently held). 3–5 years of working experience in a similar role. Computer literate in Microsoft applications. Nice‑to‑Have Technical background: ability to write queries in SQL, experience with Power Platform and BI systems like PowerBI. Certifications in process or project management methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean) beneficial. Knowledge of project management tools (JIRA, Asana, Trello) and collaboration platforms (Confluence, Slack). Candidate Profile Able to tackle complex problems effectively and adapt to fast‑paced development environments. Strong leadership skills and ability to mentor junior consultants. Proven track record of effective remote team collaboration, demonstrating flexibility and a positive team contribution. Analytical and problem‑solving person with exceptional ability to analyse complex requirements, identify bottlenecks, and devise effective solutions. Strong debugging skills to efficiently resolve issues in the development process. Why join Solevo? Join a young dynamic team that leads chemical distribution on the African continent. Enjoy a collaborative, international and agile work environment. Be part of a team where freedom, initiative and 'thinking out of the box' is key. Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits. Explore opportunities for professional growth and advancement. How to join us? If you’re excited about this position, we encourage you to submit your resume detailing your relevant experience and be part of our exciting journey. What’s next? If your profile matches our search, you will be contacted by our HR team for a first contact. Please be informed that we will keep your profile to contact you for future professional opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr