Technical Advisory Manager North

Identify and prepare a development plan for each member of the Technical Advisory Team.
- Devise and implement a strategy that aims to bridge the knowledge gap between Agronomy and Chemical Advisory.
- Conduct ongoing training needs analyses to ensure that the Technical Advisory Team delivers on the company’s strategies and projects. Ensure training is then cascaded by the Technical Advisory Team to the Sales Team.
- Contribute to the Advisory Team’s Intellectual Property (IP) and technical support systems through strategies related to training, skills development programmes and conferences.
- Determine best use of resources within the Technical Advisory Dept. to deliver optimal results.
- Design strategies related to crop specific programmes and ensure Advisory Team executes these strategies with the intention of driving in-house sales and maintaining a focus on priority crops.
- Ensure that targeted training programmes are executed by the Advisory Team and that the tea provides the Crop Advisors with the necessary skills and information to drive sales.
- Share technical expertise with the Sales Team.
- Assist with solving product selection related problems that are of a complex and technical nature. Visits to the growers and advice to the Technical Advisor and/or Crop Advisors may be required as part of the problem solving process.
- Develop crop programmes.
- Devise a sales strategy that aims to establish a profitable balance between the sale of in-house products and 3rd party products.
- Ensure training workshops are presented by Technical Advisors with Crop Advisors up skilled ito crop programmes. Training of a complex nature is to be presented by the Advisory Manager.
- Investigate complaints and claims regarding crop losses or product efficacy problems that could not be resolved by the Technical Advisor.
- Interface with 3rd party suppliers where necessary to understand their products and positioning in the marketplace.
- Identify shortcomings or data requirements of in-house products and recommend corrective actions or trials required.
- Play a key role in mentoring and experiential training of the Team in order to ensure that the company’s sales strategy is effectively executed.

**Qualifications & Experience**:

- Grade 12 with post matric tertiary qualification of a Master’s Degree in a field of agriculture at the minimum.
- Must have a minimum of 10 years’ post qualification experience in a Sales or Technical role within the agricultural sector.
- Prior experience in the management of subordinates or be prepared to develop the necessary skills to complete this function.
- Possess extensive knowledge of the agrochemical and agronomy disciplines with the relevant technical and industry background.
- Strong inter-personal skills and prepared to manage a team from diverse disciplines within the business.
- Possess I.R. skills
- Must be a strategic, critical thinker and be able to see the bigger picture.
- Must be detail orientated and possess the ability to network both internally and externally.
- Be able to demonstrate the ability to interface successfully at multiple organisational levels.
- Proficiency at the intermediate level of MS Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint).
- Ability to work independently.
- Possess strong analytical (basic budgeting and cost control/management) skills
- Must in possession of a valid driver’s license, have own reliable transport and be medically fit to drive.
- Knowledge of SHEQ Management Systems standards/requirements advantageous
- Must have an aptitude in decision-making and working with numbers.
- Possess experience in collecting and analysing data
- Must be able to travel
- Self-starter with a flair to see projects through to completion
- Must have knowledge of the regulatory environment as it pertains to the agricultural sector.