Qualifications, Experience & Behavioural Competencies Required:

• Tertiary Qualification in Marketing or Sales and or Animal Science (Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent)
• 7-10 Years’ Experience in Agricultural Market Sales
• Computer skills/ Literacy in Ms Office and SAP Computer Skills
• Analysis expertise
• Supervisory skills
• Communication Skills
• Assertiveness
• Interpersonal Skills 

Context / Scope:

Voermol Feeds is Tongaat Hulett’s Molasses and Bagasse-based Animal Feeds Operation, an Industry Leader with its range of Energy, Concentrates and Supplementary Feeds being the Cornerstone of its offerings to the Livestock Farming Community throughout South Africa. Voermol employs 400 people, including a Strong Marketing, Sales and Technical team.

Purpose of the Role: 

Manages and Controls the Marketing and Sales Functionality by Aligning Departmental Objectives, Performance Indicators, Activities and Formulating Short to Medium Term Plans, Co-ordinating and Guiding Subordinates in Accomplishing Key Result Indicators, Cultivating and Maintaining Relationships with Key Clients and, Identifying with Opportunities to Grow Market Share through the Timely introduction of Key Marketing Initiatives in order to Ensure Revenue Streams and Acceptable Profit Margins are Achieved and the Organisation is Recognised and Positioned Locally and Nationally as the preferred Animal Feeds Supplier.

Knowledge & Competencies:

• Know how to develop and implement a Marketing and Sales strategic plan.
• Knowing and understanding the range and diversity of cultures within VF
• Knowledge of best practices for Marketing and Sales processes

Skills & Competencies Required: 

• Delegation Skills 
• Excellent Communication Ability
• Business Performance Measurement Skills
• Knowledge of HR Related Legislation
• Negotiating Skills
• Basic Computer Literacy
• Relationship Building Skills
• Listening Skills
• Management Skills

Key Accountabilities:

Strategic Management:

Investigates and Evaluates Current Market Trends and Concepts and Manages the Implementation of Initiatives Associated with Marketing and Sales functionality, by

• Analysing the Efficacy of Approaches used to Address Variables Influencing Current Strategies and Policies Associated with the Marketing Mix (i.e. Product, Market, Pricing, Promotions and Service Delivery Standards).
• Identifying New Opportunities for the Development of Partnerships and Evaluating and Reporting on Current Practices and the Feasibility of Alignment to Sustain such Relationships.
• Commenting on Specific Marketing Initiatives (Promotions, Advertisements, etc.) and its Effectiveness in Creating Awareness, Promoting Market Share and/ or Supporting Customer Loyalty.

In order to ensure the Department is positioned to Identify and Anticipate Customer Requirements, Demonstrate Professionalism in its service Approach Supporting the Broad Vision of the Organization.

Supervision & Control:

Directs and Controls Outcomes Associated with Utilization, Productivity and Performance of Personnel within the Area, by

• Defining/ Adjusting the Key Performance Indicators, Job Design and Role Boundaries of Personnel Against Service Delivery Requirements.
• Evaluating the Capability of Prospective Applicants and Participating in the Interviewing and Final Selection sessions.
• Conducting Appraisals to Measure Performance and Objective Accomplishments against Agreed Targets and, Reviewing Goals and Setting New Objectives.
• Identifying Professional/ Technical and non-Technical Skill Gap, Career Paths and Job Enrichment Opportunities, and Evaluates the applicability and adequacy of developmental plans for existing/ new personnel.
• Monitoring the Adequacy of Current Training Interventions Supporting Personnel Development and Analysing Workplace Impact Post Training and/ or the need for changes to plans.
• Implementing Human Resources Policies and Procedures to Control/ Regulate Workplace Conflict and/ or Instituting Corrective Measures and Consultation Processes to address Deviations from Standards.
• Analyzing Statistical Information Pertaining to Staff Attendance/ Absenteeism, Overtime, Lost time due to accidents and/ or incidents and downtime and proposing specific remedial measures aimed at improving productivity and reducing personnel related costs.

In order to ensure a climate conducive to promoting and sustaining motivational levels, productivity, performance and improvement to the quality of work-life is cultivated and maintained enabling the Area to meet its service and performance objectives

Financial Management:

Controls the Area’s Financial Performance against the Budget and Evaluates the Financial impact of Aligning and/ or Introducing New approaches and Methodologies to Achieve Service Delivery Requirements, by

• Analyzing Trends, Operating Requirements and Forward Plans to Establish/ determine Funding/ Expenditure for the Period and/ or Assessing the Accuracy of Estimations/ Costing referring to Specifications.
• Evaluating Performance against Budget and addressing Deviations/ variances with Appropriate Personnel.
• Interpreting Intermediate Financial Management Reports on the Operational Revenue/ Expenditure and Capital Expenditure and Evaluating Opportunities/ Constraints on the Alignment of Functions/ Business Change Management Processes to Achieve Acceptable Operating Margins.
• Approving Transfer of Funding for Priority Programmes and Interventions from Allocations/ Provisions wherein the Immediate need is less critical in Respect of the Organisation’s Strategic Mandate.
• Implementing Corrective Measures to rectify Deviations/ Acts Contrary to Financial Regulations, Audit Requirements and Procedure in respect of Transactional Recording and Processing of Financial Information Associated with the Activities of the Area.

In order to Ensure Accurate Estimates are prepared in Relation to Requirements enabling the Area to contribute positively towards meeting Objectives and Sustaining the Quality and Standards of Service Delivery.

Policies, Procedures, Systems & Controls:

Directs the Implementation or Development and Review of Policy Directives and Procedural Guidelines to Support the application and Execution of Functional Responsibilities and Maintain Compliance, by

• Critically Examining the Adequacy of the Area’s Policy Directives with Consideration given to the Customer Care Approach.
• Evaluating Recommendations on Policy and Procedure Review in Respect of Specific Requirements attached to the Marketing and Sales functions, Assessing the Validity of Researched Outcomes and/ or Best Practice References Prior to Consolidating and Presenting the Area’s Position.
• Approving Alignment of or, Controlling the Implementation of Operational Management Systems and Controls to facilitate the Execution of Responsibilities and Maintain Conformity with Sound Administrative Principles and Financial Regulations

In order to Ensure the Behaviours, Actions, Decisions, Processes and Applications Relevant to the Area’s functions and Key Responsibility Areas are Controlled and the Execution Complies with Legislative Requirements, Organizational Directives and Acceptable Codes of Practice Embodied in Customer Service Delivery Charters.

Sales Management:

Manages and Co-ordinates Activities Associated with Optimising Sales Performance and Sustaining Growth in Market Share, by

• Scheduling and Confirming Appointments with, and/ or Discussing Enquiries from Prospective Clients with the Marketing and Sales and, preparing and Communicating responses.
• Controlling the Specific Key Accounts, making available information, Technical advice and Support necessary to Sustain the Relationship.
• Securing Acknowledgement of Contracts and Agreements.
• Evaluating Overall Sales Performance against Set Objectives/ Targets and Implementing Corrective Measures or Reviewing Targets with due Consideration given to Economic Climate and Strength of Competitor.

In order to ensure Sales Targets and Objectives are accomplished through the Adoption of a Visible, Vigorous and Professional Sales Approach that Benefits the Organisation.

Business Development:

Contributes to Plans, Programmes and Processes aimed at Marketing the Product Range and Organisations Customer Services principles, by

• Keeping abreast of Market Trends in respect of Special Events and Interrogating Market Intelligence information to enable Formulation of focused Strategies, Campaigns and Initiatives.
• Evaluating New Business Opportunities through Research and Networking, Identifying and Reinforcing Relationships and, Guiding the Formulation and/ or Presentation of Proposals and Client Engagement Process
• Participating in the Initiation, Negotiation and Development of Contracts with Major Key Clients

In order to ensure the organisation is favorably positioned as the preferred

Communication:

Disseminates Strategic, Functional and Operational Information on the Immediate, Short- and Long-term objectives and, Current Applications and Constraints, by

• Participating in Meetings and provides Specialist Professional advice, comments or Opinions on Matters Affecting or concerning the functionality.
• Responding, through the Collection of Factual Information and/ or Conducting the Necessary Investigation/ Research, to enquiries and concerns on Service Delivery quality and Effectiveness to Satisfy the needs of the Region.
• Collaborating with External Departments and, related Service Organizations and Industries on Complex Issues Associated with Service Level Obligations and Execution of functions with a view to Aligning Internal Processes.

In order to ensure information, advice or opinions on Relevant Matters is made available and/ or Communicated through the various Mediums and Accurately Interpreted through the Provision of Adequate and Clear Explanation.

Management Reporting:

Co-ordinates Management Reporting Requirements Associated with the Key Performance and Result Indicators of the functionality, by

• Preparing Performance Reports referring to Consolidated Statistical Data and Qualitative Information related to Initiatives, Activities and Outcomes of the Department for the attention of the immediate superior.
• Compiling Investigational Reports and/ or responses to correspondences and queries, undertaking research or referring to precedents and Policy Dictates to Support Content, Recommendations and/ or Opinion.
• Approving Specific Transactional, Instructional and Procedural forms/ documents (Requisitions, Leave applications, Notifications and Circulars) prior to Processing and Circulation.
• Monitoring the Accuracy of Management Information System Records, Addressing Variances/ Deviations through the Provision of Guidelines/ Approval of Adjustments.

In order to Ensure Accurate Management and Business Information is available to Contribute to Effective Discussion and Decision-Making.  

Contact information

Sonto Ngcobo