Area Manager

Fall Creek is creating a world with better blueberries through its friendly, collaborative team spread across the globe. To help us accomplish this, we are seeking a qualified extTitle. This position will be located in Paarl, South Africa.
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This position is primarily responsible for the development and successful execution of the Fall Creek commercial Development in core territories.
**ORGANIZATIONAL FIT**:
This position reports to the EMEA Commercial Manager. The Sales Area Manager supervises and directs the sales and grower support and External Sales Contractors in the assigned area. This position collaborates with other managers and departments in the company and has frequent interactions with visitors and guests of Fall Creek.
This position is a member of the Fall Creek Global Commercial Team and represents the company to commercial customers, associations and other industry groups.
**JOB SETTING**:
Office, field, and nursery setting. Requires domestic and international travel.
**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**:
Collaborates with the Commercial Manager to develop the regional commercial strategy that is in line with the global strategy. Responsible for managing all sales in the assigned region.
Oversees commercial key account relationships to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction, and manages the account management process withing the regional team.
Executes activities with results measured against the commercial plan and holds the sales and grower support team accountable for achieving goals.
Works closely with the Commercial Manager to create the department budget and operates within the approved amounts.
Oversees execution and administration of company IP licensing strategies in the territory in coordination with the Intellectual Property department.
Oversees implementation, adoption, and optimized use of company CRM, in the region. Empowers team to understand and use the tool to increase individual and department performance and efficiency.
Responsible for managing the sale, demand, and crop forecasts and collaborates with the Commercial Manager, Planning Manager, and production department to accurately forecast inventory deployment.
Establishes and maintains strong relationships with customers, industry influencers and key industry representatives. Gathers information on competitors, customers, and trends and makes recommendations to take advantage of market opportunities.
Supervises employee(s) on a daily basis. This includes goal setting, training and development and addressing both positive and negative performance issues. C oaches and develops employees to improve job performance when appropriate. Ensures that performance discussions are completed in a timely manner. Establishes and maintains good morale, motivation, and recognition of accomplishments.
Provides leadership to the day-to-day operations of the area sales area, while maintaining focus on the company’s strategic goals and company culture.
Monitors intellectual property concerns. Works closely with other departments to develop recommendations on managing infringements that may occur.
Provides direction for handling cases of product failure, customer complaints and problems by analyzing each situation and coordinating their resolution with the help of the production department. Assists the customer service team with customer relations as needed.
Collaborates with the marketing team, if required, on planning and execution of advertising and marketing plans for the commercial markets.
Assures that proper communication, information sharing, and collaboration are achieved within the sales area team and between other departments. Furthermore supports and drives alignment being part of the EMEA business unit.
Provides input and recommendations for new products and varieties and contributes to their commercialization and acceptance in the marketplace.
Collaborates with IT on technology needs, implementation of systems, and instituting related process changes.
Responsible for overseeing the scheduling of, and planning for, visits to the nursery from existing and prospective customers. Supports the product and grower support team with hosting educational seminars for customers as needed.
Represents Fall Creek to visitors and guests and attends tradeshows, events, customer meetings, and other venues to assist with presenting and promoting Fall Creek products. May speak on topics concerning the company and the industry.
Supports, perpetuates and enhances Fall Creek’s core values and corporate culture.
Assures the highest level of confidentiality on sensitive matters concerning our customers and business.
Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.
Adheres to the standards set forth in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
**REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING**:
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, horticulture or related field.
Requires 10+ years of commercial management experience prefera