Crop Manager

2 weeks ago


Midrand, South Africa BASF Holdings South Africa (Pty.) Ltd. Full time

We are the world's leading chemical company because we offer intelligent solutions for our customers and for a sustainable future. We link and develop people with diverse talents all over the world. For you, this means a variety of ways to advance. Not only your performance, but also your personality matter to us. At BASF, careers develop from opportunities. BASF’s regional division EMEA Europe, Middle East, Emerging Europe and Africa. BASF operates in more than 50 countries in the region. For BASF the EMEA region is our most important market.

**What you can expect**

The successful incumbent will be responsible for the crop protection portfolio development within the row crop sector. Identify market current and future needs that will drive the go-to-market strategy and create awareness of the portfolio in the market. Build on the unique selling points. Manage project teams to ensure cross-functional activities with Marketing, R&D & Sales are implemented on time.

Duties will include the following:
Portfolio
- Manage a portfolio of products across key crops, Maize, Soy, Sunflower & Sugarcane
- Identify gaps and opportunities in the portfolio, providing solutions to fill the gaps
- Conduct product life cycle management, including patent monitoring
- Assess and mitigate potential risks associated with portfolio management

Product
- Develop business cases for new projects by working with the R&D department and the technical trial development team
- Support local technical team through product development phases
- Develop training presentations to communicate both marketing and technical benefits
- Ensure thorough training of sales teams and technical sales support

Pricing
- Monitor BASF product pricing & margins and monitor competitor pricing, utilize price value mapping models to optimize pricing strategies

Training & Sales support
- Deliver in-field support and recommendations, along with customized programs

Key Account Management
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with key accounts, such as Corteva and Agricol, for Clearfield Plus products and coordinate qualification processes and provide marketing material support

Connected Offer
- Develop supporting mechanisms to enhance product distribution, such as the Soybean connected offer comprising cold storage, seed treater, and the product itself

Forecasting
- Assist product forecasting with Integrated Business Planning file and collaborate with the Supply Chain team to align on product deliveries
- Conduct annual reviews of short
- and long-term forecasts, comparing them to business cases and a 10-year projection

Industry Associations
- Establish and nurture relationships with industry associations, representing BASF brand
- Monitor industry trends and identify those that may impact the business strategy

**What we expect**
- University degree in Marketing or Agriculture
- Good understanding of the South African Agricultural & regulatory environment
- Agro experience either in sales, technical or marketing
- High proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint
- High proficiency to communicate key messages clearly to the target audience

**We offer**

Responsibility from day one in a challenging work environment and on-the-job training as part of a committed team. Competitive compensation including attractive benefits as well as excellent career opportunities in an international company. BASF is an equal opportunity employer which we embrace diversity and the principles of employment equity.