Technical Market Development Lead East Africa

Role Purpose

• Accountability and co-ordination of successful NPI delivery and launch in East Africa contributing to the future profitability and growth of the business by means of:
  • Demo trial program (RTB Showcase commercial) supporting the business.
  • Technical expertise support and training to commercial colleagues (sales marketing) and external customers (distribution).
  • Direct support to KAMs in delivering the business with commercial grower segment by providing technical expertise and support to help convince customer.
• Lead grow and shape direct team members.
• Build and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Internal: CPD PB CPD senior field scientist commercial and marketing teams.
  • External: distribution customers key influencers research organizations.
• CPD input into PDC cycle

Key Accountabilities

• CPD representation during PDC (Portfolio Definition Cycle) - business case contribution and project prioritization.
• Identify technical portfolio gaps and define the technical profile of potential options.
• Identify technical portfolio gaps and define the technical profile of potential options.
• Engagement with Product Biology team:  Protocol demand decision and requests.
• Proactive participation in and contribution to demo protocol design.
• Overall this role will be responsible for demo trialing program and technical commercial support helping to grow the business.
• Demo trial prioritization and allocation. Timeous demo trial planning and execution with relevant and influential partners and customers.
• Successful trials: Strive to achieve a 100% success rate of allocated trials in terms of quality(conclusiveness) and on-time delivery.
• Ensure all demo trials with partners are executed well and data and influencing utilization for these trials is maximized.
• Reporting of demo trial results to influence wider on all relevant platforms. Interpret demo trial results in an understandable language to impact commercial stakeholders. Also report on observations/results not specified in the protocol.
• Validates results and give recommendations / insights on performance of tested products and solutions at single and combined trial levels.
• Arrange demonstration days (field classroom virtual or other platforms) to train internal and external stakeholders.
• Local responsibility for engagement and technical support to local colleagues (marketing sales and regulatory).
• Establish good relationships with relevant external stakeholders e.g. Distributers Grower organizations Growers Key industry influencers etc.
• Support KAMs locally in ensuring business delivery with distribution and commercial farms from a technical perspective. 
• Responsible for arranging key meetings: e.g. protocol IRBM Tech conference status report meetings.
• Keep abreast of market trade and competitor activities in order to adapt to changing environments.
• The TMD Lead can also have expert responsibility within BA or country which creates the following additional accountabilities:
  • Owner of technical expertise per product crop or subject matter.
  • Drive standardization and transformation of ways of working
  • Spread expertise through result meetings training and sharing of best practices
• Ensure that all operations under direct control comply with Syngenta Health Safety & Environment policies and guidelines as well as any other relevant Syngenta or statutory policies.
• Support sustainably and stewardship activities in the country.

Qualifications :

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Experience and qualifications

• Minimum . Degree in Agriculture with majors in plant pathology or entomology or agronomy or weed science
• Preferably with at least 5 years product development experience.
• Proven track record of technical knowledge in the agronomical field (crop protection focused) having an influenceable reputation in the agricultural industry. 
• Leadership and management experience.

Critical Knowledge

• Product development procedures and demo trialing methodology.
• Ability to translate highly technical information into understandable information dependent on audience requirement.
• Ability to present in front of audience and influence stakeholders (distribution small and commercial scale growers).
• Good knowledge of crop protection products diseases pests nematodes weeds and crops.
• High level knowledge on agricultural/agronomy practices and crop protection.
• Good interpersonal relationship skills building relationships with commercial and other stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and direct on local level.

Critical Skills

• Identify opportunities recognize threats and to be pro-active (problem identification and solving)
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Work independently
• Innovative mindset
• Results driven for commercial impact mindset.
• Communication in English and local language with stakeholders.
• Trialing methodology
• Report writing interpretation and presentation (formal and field - English and local)
• Planning and organizing
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Ability to initiate first contacts
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills
• Self-starter.
• People management/leadership skills.

Additional Information :

Location: Kenya preferably Nairobi with mobility across East Africa.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time