Technical Manager

Supports marketing-, sales- and client activities through specialized technical or scientific knowledge/product applications from conceptual stages, through pre-sales, sales, trials and training and serves as a lead in solving technical problems and in discussions with customers.

The Technical Sales Advisor role is located within the Sales department of an OpCo. The role of the highest levels Technical Sales Advisor may be located within the Sales department of a cluster or division. The Technical Sales Advisor reports to the (technical) Sales Manager.

The Sales Representative/(Key) Account Manager and the Technical Sales Advisor work in a ‘tandem approach’ to reach the highest Sales possible, whereby the Technical Sales Advisor support the Sales representative/Key Account Manager in (highly) complex and technical processes. The Technical Sales Advisors supports in the Sales process and identifies areas for increasing our sales, while the Sales Representative/Key Account Manager act as the commercial expert, openings doors and closing deals.

Job Description:

Key Accountabilities

• Technical Support
  
  

Routine technical support of customers, including direct farm contact and the commercial animal farming industry. Acts as technical resource to sales professionals and customers. Interpreted field data and provide feedback concerning housing, transport, equipment, nutrition and related matters. Documents customer requirements and provides technical guidance related to sales strategy and proposals.

• Value Selling
  
  

Asks questions which uncover implied needs, and which develop those needs. Builds value for the customer by investigation to uncover explicit needs and develop those needs. Demonstrates company’s capability by explaining how company’s products and services match a customer’s explicit needs (Benefit Statements) Supports the feasibility of standard, customized, partnerships alternatives of new approaches for offered products and services, viewing its optimization and improvement.

• Knowledge sharing
  
  

Introducing new solutions and concepts to the customer. Manages a programme of communication to the animal breeding industry through in-house publications and press articles; Prepares technical presentations and demonstrates how a product meets client needs. Contributes to sales meetings by providing deeper understanding of solutions workings or applications, as well as of product limitations and non-traditional product usage. Facilitates in training for internal sales professionals and on-site technical training for customers.

• Process optimization
  
  

Develop, monitor and update written standard operating procedures and process control strategies. Supports other organization functions, such as engineering, manufacturing or quality control, to identify user and/or design problems.

• Tools
  
  

Coordinates, executes, maintains and / or improves various administrative sales processes and systems, in line with the applicable way of working to ensure an efficient and effective sales administration compliant with policies and regulations. Records the outcome of a sales call and plan future actions which moves the sale towards a successful conclusion – including additional investigation (needs identification) where necessary.

• Management information
  
  

Provides insights to management on request, or own initiative, regarding quantitative and qualitative developments within his / her area of sales/expertise, based on reporting guidelines, and ensures all information is appropriately stored and updated, so that management and / or relevant stakeholders are able to make (timely) decisions and determine or adjust sales decisions and strategy.

• Internal networking
  
  

Responsible to maintain and build own product and technical knowledge in relevant product categories by taking local & global technical trainings and by collaborating with the sales team, product development and Global Innovation. Based on input from Marketing and Pricing measures, prepares and quotes customers, in order to advise customers appropriately and to conclude the sale of product.

• Projects
  
  

May participate in various sales and customer service related projects in his / her area and contributes to project results.

Our organisation:

Skretting is a global leader in providing innovative and sustainable nutritional solutions and services for the aquaculture industry. Skretting has production facilities in 18 countries on five continents to manufacture and deliver high quality feeds from hatching to harvest for more than 60 species. The total annual production volume of feed is close to 2.5 million tonnes. Our mission is Feeding the Future.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Skretting is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, military status or any other status protected by applicable local law. Please advise us at any point during the recruitment and selection process if you require accommodation. Skretting is committed to compliance with all applicable legislation, including providing accommodation for applicants with disabilities.