Johannesburg: Technical Advisor – Agrochemicals

About the Role

The Technical Advisor – Agrochemicals role is a critical position that requires a strong technical background in agrochemicals, agriculture, and nutrition. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing comprehensive crop programmes, providing technical support to Crop Advisors, and promoting product sales of in-house products effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Applying functional expertise to develop comprehensive and integrated crop programmes, ensuring successful implementation, and monitoring Sales teams’ performance.
• Identifying knowledge gaps among Crop Advisors and the Sales team regarding crop programmes and in-house products, addressing these gaps by compiling training materials, and delivering training workshops for the Sales team.
• Developing and implementing area-specific or crop-specific strategies in collaboration with Regional Managers and the Advisory Manager to achieve sales targets.
• Networking with third-party product suppliers, universities, research institutes, and crop associations to promote knowledge and awareness of in-house products.
• Investigating all customer complaints and insurance claims in the region, identifying problems, proposing equitable solutions, and providing management with recommendations for appropriate actions.
• Assuming responsibility for developing spray programs incorporating in-house products for Crop Advisors, integrating agrochemical and nutritional products, and adhering to MRL guidelines and label recommendations.
• Using crop programmes and technical support services to drive sales strategies in the region.
• Monitoring correct implementation of recommendations and liaising with the Advisory Manager regarding corrective actions where necessary.
• Carrying out regular crop inspections during the season, identifying problems, and making recommendations for corrective action.
• Performing relevant in-house product trials on specific crops in collaboration with Portfolio Managers to build knowledge and confidence in products.
• Applying functional expertise to organize training workshops for Crop Advisors on in-house products per crop, integrating the full in-house range with third-party products as required.
• Training Crop Advisors to engage effectively with customers using the Turbo Toolbox selling methodology.
• Providing technical support to Crop Advisors through training and on-field analysis across all product classes.
• Investigating and addressing customer complaints that may lead to claims, following the correct claim procedure, and initiating interactions with third-party suppliers where their products are involved.
• Completing investigation reports, following up on progress, and implementing solutions to prevent or manage claims within a reasonable period.
• Involving relevant technical personnel, including Technical Advisors and Portfolio Managers, to assist in investigating complaints.
• Interacting with key industry influencers to promote in-house products and grow the existing client base.
• Acting on leads for new products or programmes based on crops or regional specifics.
• Working with Crop Associations and exporters to offer solutions for better residue management and to create awareness of products and services.
• Setting budgets per product and Crop Advisor and communicating progress and results to management monthly.
• Providing technical support and training to Crop Advisors on in-house products to enable integration into regional budgets and forecasts.
• Gathering customer data to guide in-house product recommendations and sales.
• Ensuring Crop Advisors implement recommendations.
• Liaising with Portfolio Managers to identify area strategies and incorporating them into regional sales strategies.
• Ensuring adherence to high safety standards and meeting occupational health requirements in all areas of responsibility.

Requirements

• National Senior Certificate with a post-matric tertiary qualification (e.g., B. Agric./B. Sc. Agric.)
• Possession of either AVCASA or BASOS accreditation, with a willingness to acquire both accreditations within a reasonable period.
• Minimum 5 years’ post-graduate experience in the agricultural industry in agrochemicals, agriculture, and/or nutrition.
• Strong technical and agrochemical knowledge is essential.
• Good customer relationship skills are required.
• Sound working knowledge of Safety, Health, and Environmental practices are necessary.

Qualifications

• Formal education/certifications (Bachelor’s, LLB, Matric, etc.) not explicitly mentioned in the original job description.