Chief Sales & Marketing Manager (Agriculture) - APRIGP (Apply by: October 09, 2015)

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

Chief Sales and Marketing Manager (Agriculture), 
Andhra Pradesh Rural Inclusive Growth Project (APRIGP),
Andhra Pradesh Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty 
(AP-SERP), Hyderabad (Job Location: Vijayawada, AP)

1. POSITION VACANT:  Chief Sales and Marketing Manager (Agriculture)

2. ORGANISATION BACKGROUND: The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) was established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) as the primary support structure to facilitate poverty reduction through social mobilization and improvement of livelihoods of the rural poor in Andhra Pradesh. SERP works on a comprehensive multi-dimensional poverty alleviation strategy by focusing equally on Livelihoods and Human Development. The fundamental unit of development at SERP is the rural poor households and all interventions of SERP strive to achieve essentially two outcomes- sustainable per capita household incomes of Rs. 100,000/- per annum from multiple livelihoods sources and improved Human Development Indicators. Operating on the fundamental premise that empowerment and participation are the crux of development, SERP works through community-based organizations to address poverty eradication.

For more information about SERP, please visit http://www.serp.ap.gov.in

3. PROJECT BACKROUND:

GoAP has approved the World Bank supported Andhra Pradesh Rural Inclusive Growth Project (APRIGP) for implementation by AP-SERP in 150 most backward mandals of the state. APRIGP shall enable selected poor households enhance agricultural incomes and secure increased access to human development services and social entitlements. The project period for implementation is from February 1, 2015 to February 1, 2020.  The project is proposed to have 5 components; a) Value Chain Development through Producer Organizations; b) Human Development; c) Social Development, Safety Nets and Entitlements; d) Mission Support, ICT, TA and Partnerships and e) Project Implementation Support.  

APRIGP aims to adopt a Value-Chain based approach with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to ensure increased incomes. 

4. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Director Livelihoods (Farm), the Chief Sales and Marketing Manager (Agriculture)shall be directly responsible for achieving sales targets of all Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)across the State of Andhra Pradesh under Andhra Pradesh Rural Inclusive Growth Project (APRIGP). 

Key Responsibilities:

A. Business, Sales& Strategy:

1) Ensure achievement of monthly, quarterly and yearly sales targets planned for all FPOs with the primary objective of maximizing price realization at farmer-level;
2) Develop protocols for aggregation, quality control;
3) Develop protocols for export markets for bringing export orientation in FPOs;
4) Establishment of collection centers, aggregation centers;
5) Create brand for the pesticide free and organic products;
6) Capacity building of FPO staff, FPO leaders and Velugu staff on basic skills of marketing
7) Develop capacity building materials – Videos and text which can be used by community; 
8) Explore potential buyers and build strong, long term relationships with relevant market-players at all levels (Mandal, District, State and National);
9) Develop and manage an efficient distribution channel to improve sales and performance.
10) Supervising Sales and Marketing Team members at District Level, along with other reporting officers and regular conduct of sales review meetings with the team;
11) Keeping up-to-date with market demands and competitors at the local and regional level;
12) Lead financial forecasting, resource allocation, tracking, and reporting efforts of Sales & Marketing Team;
13) Resolve any issues of buyers in close coordination with Production Manager (Farm Livelihoods);
14) Build and manage distribution channel from Farmer Producer Organization to the buyer’s preferred point;
15) Serve as an integral part of the State-Level Farm Livelihoods Leadership Team.

B. People Leadership:

1) Ability to work in close co-ordination with Production Teams at State Level;
2) Ensuring Sales & Marketing Teams at regional level achieve their targets;
3) Develop Territory Sales goals (in conjunction with Production Team), tracking metrics and       tactics at District and Mandal-Level;
4) Identify and implement training of Mandal-level and District-level Marketing Anchors, whenever required;
5) Identify and implement sales training, wherever required at the level of FPOs;
6) Developing an incentive system for FPOs and Team members in alignment with Territory Sales Goals.

5. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

1) Bachelors degree is required; 
2) Masters in Agriculture/ Business Administration shall be preferred.

Experience:
1) Minimum 8 years of direct sales and marketing experience in vegetables and/or other agriculture commodities in Andhra Pradesh (at District and State level)
2) Experience in managing sales and marketing of Producer Group/ Agriculture Cooperative products;
3) Experience of working in the agriculture industry.

Skills & Competencies:

1) Ability to work with teams without direct authority;
2) Demonstrated self-motivation, initiative, assertiveness, and results orientation;
3) Ability to communicate effectively and manage relations with market players of all scope and size (National, State, Local);
4) Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills; 
5) Basic computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office);
6) Knowledge and experience in general agronomics shall be preferred; 
7) Willingness to travel and live/work in a rural environment is a must;
8) Willingness to relocate to Hyderabad/ Vijaywada;
9) Excellent communication skills including proficiency in speaking Telugu.

6. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

Gross compensation budgeted for the position shall be attractive. Please note that the offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience and salary history.

7. LOCATION: Vijayawada with visits to field locations, as and when required. Initial reporting will be at Hyderabad.

8. REFERENCE: CSMMA, APSERP

9. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senior Consultant
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025 
Phones: 011-2684-2162; 011-4165-3612; 011-4101-1564 and 011-4101-1565
Email: csmma-serp@sams.co.in

10. LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply with a cover letter that highlights their motivation to apply and suitability for the position, their updated resume and three references, to csmma-serp@sams.co.in , by or before October 9, 2015.

For further details please visit our website www.sams.co.in.