Introduction:

Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for an Africa Product Development Manager, based in Kempton Park.

Description:

Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for an Africa Product Development Manager, based in Kempton Park.

Purpose: To develop, manage, and optimise Starke Ayres’ seed product portfolio across African markets by leading product development, regional adaptation, and go-to-market enablement, in alignment with company strategy and policies, to support sustainable growth and long-term market success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluates Starke Ayres’ seed product range, on an on-going basis and identifies actual and potential weaknesses. Recommends new cultivar introductions to and deletions from the product range.


• Liaises with Research Services / Suppliers in the identification of new, improved cultivars for testing and evaluation.


• Foster good relationships with plant breeders and suppliers and advise on customer / industry requirements and trends to assist with assessing the viability of products in local and International Breeding programmes.


• Monitor National Unit Budgets and stock planning for the portfolio


• Manage and co-ordinate the receipt of trial seed and allocation thereof for trials in the various regions.


• Plan and oversee the planting and evaluation of screening and phase 2 trials at strategic regions and customers (as identified in conjuction with the sales teams) and present the final results and recommendations at Range planning meetings.


• Conducts co-operative cultivar demonstrations and evaluates new potential cultivars.


• Supplies comprehensive written product information necessary for the formulation of an effective promotion, advertising and product support programme and participates actively in the planning and implementation of such a programme.


• Liaises with the National Operations Department with regard to seed quality matters.


• Advises sales staff on changes and trends in the marketplace and the activities of competitors in the various regions.


• Own the Africa product portfolio strategy, ensuring alignment with regional crop needs, agro-climatic zones, and market maturity.


• Evaluate product performance across African markets and recommend introductions, adaptations, or withdrawals per country/region.


• Translate regional market needs into clear product development briefs for Research, Breeding, and Suppliers.


• Ensure product positioning, specifications, and use recommendations are fit-for-purpose per market, not one-size-fits-all.


• Continuously identify and develop creative marketing concepts to promote the Starke Ayres brand and product range.


• Define regional trial strategies in collaboration with Country Managers and Research teams.


• Oversee evaluation standards, data quality, and decision-making on trial outcomes across Africa.


• Lead the Africa input into range planning forums.


• Ensure learnings from one market are effectively leveraged across similar agro-ecological zones.


• Develops and implements a comprehensive technical service programme (e.g. growing guidelines) for the Company’s sales and customer service personnel as well as its customers.


• Supervises and controls the production and distribution of all product and technical literature.


• Provides input with regard to the determination of the market potential of the Company’s seed products and the establishment of the sales budget.


• Monitors unit budgets and advises the Operations Department when changes need to be made with regards purchases and allocations.


• Conducts co-operative cultivar demonstrations and evaluates new potential cultivars.


• In conjunction with sales staff, identify potential customers for seed trials.


• Oversee and assist with harvesting of trials and analyze and record trial results.


• Maintain adequate records of all screening and Phase 2 trials and submit detailed reports of trial results and observations to the participating customer and relevant sales staff.

Requirements:

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualification

• Grade 12 (essential)


• B Agric (essential)


• BSc Agric (ideal)

Experience

• 5-10 Years sales/marketing (essential)


• Agronomy experience (essential)

Other

• Valid drivers license


• Extensive travel out of South Africa