Reference: 2021-6020  

"Limagrain is an international agricultural co-operative group specialized in field seeds, vegetable seeds and cereal products. More than 8 600 employees in the world spread out in 41 countries. Limagrain strives to improve agriculture in order to face today's food-related challenges. Established more than 270 years ago, Vilmorin SA, Business Unit of Group Limagrain, is a French company specialized in the creation, production and commercialization of innovative vegetable and trees seeds intended for professionals. Vilmorin teams are present globally through our 10 subsidiaries and our network of over 100 distributors, they work together with passion and commitment to ensure the success of the company."   

Function: SALES & MARKETING - MARKETING

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Contractual hours: Full-time

CONTEXT OF THE ROLE

This job falls within the framework of the company development strategy defined by the Sales Department, in accordance with the general policy of the company.

PURPOSE
For the zone(s) of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Sul e Leste de Minas Gerais the job involves the assistance of the Product development manager in:

• Coordinating the launch of new varieties,
• Managing the range of products and supporting sales actions,
• Monitoring the market,
• Challenging forecasts for new varieties.

GENERAL MISSION

Ideal candidate will evaluate products and participate in the commercial launch.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Ideal candidate will work closely with the Product Development Manager and peers carrying out the following activities:

• Allocating the availability of seed samples of each variety for the development trials within its area & segment.
• Scheduling, coordinating, implementing development trials DV1 and DV2 (sometimes T3 with marketing) in its area & segment with the following objectives:
  • Assist with evaluation of the agronomic performance and the adaptability of a variety in comparison to leading varieties within the market
  • Evaluation of the adaptability of the variety with respect to the target distribution and consumption chains
  • Identification of the competitive advantages, the selling points and the possible challenges to overcome
• ​​​Maintain updated market research studies (segmentation, analysis of the competition, tracking and identification of the dynamic forces that drive change). Commitment to continuously improving the knowledge of the market by type of client with the objective of contributing to the development of business plans and strategic plans.
• Organize promotional events developed and conducted for the benefit of both direct and indirect clients. To organize market visits for clients.
• Establish, monitor, implement and roll out of the annual external communication plan and its budget in cooperation with external communication department in La Ménitré.
• According to the positioning given by the marketing, to develop the selling points at the local level.

CONTRIBUTORY ACTIVITIES

• This position contributes the necessary information to the Product Development Manager to establish the forecast (in terms of volume, quality and timelines), for the first year of sales, of the new varieties that are in DV1 and DV2 phase. 
• Continuous feedback to manager on all specific information before New Product Introduction (NPI) meetings.

MANAGERIAL HIERARCHY AND COLLABORATIVE RELATIONS

• IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR / AUTONOMY 
  Ideal candidate will report to the Development Manager, who will provide support and coaching during special events and as part of the onboarding of the position. The Development Manager will also provide assistance in making decisions and will serve as a liaison for information.  Ideal candidate will have autonomy to perform specific duties with flexibility and as delegated by the management.
• INTERFACE / OPERATIONAL CONTACTS 
  This position will work in close collaboration with:
  • Crop specialists 
  • Members of other functional sales managers and their staff. 

He/She will work closely with external customers, official and technical bodies and all service providers that may be required.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR EXPECTED RESULTS

• QUANTITATIVE 
  These are set during the annual interview in line with the KPIs used by the sales management regarding growth.
• QUALITATIVE 
  These are set during the annual interview in line with the KPIs used by the sales management regarding growth.
• CONTROL FREQUENCY AND RESOURCES 
  At least once a year, during the annual interview, and periodically according to the reporting/ monitoring dashboard used by the sales department.

Profile

SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROLE

• KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
  • Listening to customers,
  • Technical knowledge of the field and the plant seed business,
  • Knowledge of the market and the customers,
  • Knowledge of the IT tools and applications used in the business,
  • Languages: English is a must.
• PROFESSIONAL ABILITIES
  • Organization, planning,
  • Analysis and synthesis,
  • Commercial spirit,
  • Professional autonomy and mobility,
  • Thoroughness and reliability,
  • Pro-activeness.
• PERSONALITY
  • Responsive,
  • Openness,
  • Positive attitude.

Candidate criteria

Minimum level of education required: Doctoral degree / PhD

Specific expertise

• Agriculture/Agronomy
• Other
• Biology
• Botany/Horticulture

Minimum level of experience required: 3 years or more

Education and/or Experience:

• PhD in Plant Breeding and/or significant background in breeding
• Minimum 4 to 5 years work experience managing independently a breeding program with demonstrated ability to develop successful commercial hybrids
• Must be proficient in English; Spanish desired

Languages

• English (3 - Professional)
• Portuguese (4 - Fluent)

To apply

Please click HERE to learn more and to apply online.