At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sustainable growth by building key account partnerships in West Africa's agri-business.
- Company: Join Syngenta, a global leader in crop protection and sustainable agriculture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with extensive travel across West Africa.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food security while working with innovative agricultural solutions.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in Agronomy or Business, with 10 years of sales experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
About Syngenta
At Syngenta Crop Protection, we’re pioneering solutions that safeguard global food security while championing sustainable agriculture. As a world market leader headquartered in Switzerland, we empower farmers with innovative crop protection technologies that defend against nature’s toughest challenges. We unite advanced science with digital solutions to develop intelligent crop protection that maximizes yields while minimizing environmental impact. Join our mission of revolutionizing plant protection from seed to harvest.
Job Description
Drive sustainable business growth across West Africa countries by building strong key account partnerships and aggressively taking share against competitors. Serve as the primary commercial link between Syngenta and its strategic customers, translating market opportunities into disciplined KAP execution – with a focus on cotton, cocoa and industrial farms – to deliver annual targets and the 5Y plan.
Accountabilities
- Key Account Management
- Select and agree on target key accounts with the Country Head; gain a deep understanding of each account’s business model, market position and competitive landscape to develop company‑specific KAM Plans covering commercial, licensing, legal and regulatory dimensions.
- Build and maintain strong, long‑term relationships with strategic distributors and key accounts, with particular focus on cotton, cocoa and industrial farms.
- Influence key stakeholders and develop targeted strategies to capture tenders and large‑scale distribution contracts across West Africa.
- Negotiate contracts, pricing and terms to ensure mutually beneficial agreements, in alignment with Syngenta’s commercial policies.
- Identify areas for growth and contribute to the evolution of the West Africa Go‑to‑Market strategy.
- Ensure accurate forecasting in close coordination with Customer Service and TFCM for on‑time product availability and payment follow‑up.
- Demand Generation & Campaign Execution
- Lead and translate regional campaigns into local pull activities with key accounts, adapted to the West Africa go‑to‑market model, to create demand and deliver annual sales targets.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Coordinate with Marketing, CPD, Finance, Customer Service, Pricing and Regulatory to ensure key account needs are met and KAP execution is fully supported.
- Work closely with Customer Service and TFCM for on‑time product availability and payment follow‑up.
- Monitoring and Reporting
- Track key account metrics and report regularly on account status, market dynamics and competitive landscape.
- Collect and analyze market information to feed Business Intelligence tools (Salesforce, I‑Plan, portfolio insights), monitor competition, and contribute to customer and influencer segmentation.
- Customer Advocacy
- Act as the primary advocate for key accounts within Syngenta, ensuring their needs are properly represented and issues addressed promptly across internal functions.
- Maintain full compliance with Syngenta’s policies, procedures and code of conduct.
Qualifications
- Critical knowledge
- Master’s degree in Agronomy or Business Administration.
- Deep knowledge of West Africa agri‑business market, trade dynamics and distribution landscape.
- Technical & product knowledge in Crop Protection.
- Negotiation strategies, tactics and third‑party relationship management.
- Data Analysis & Insights.
- Fluency in English and French.
- Critical Experience
- Minimum 10 years of successful sales / KAM experience in the Ag industry.
- Proven track record in key account development and commercial deal‑making in West Africa or similar markets.
- Critical Leadership Capabilities
- Collaborates across boundaries and manages across wide cultural diversity.
- Focuses on customers and builds trusted, long‑term partnerships.
- Drives delivery with minimal guidance; works with high autonomy.
Critical success factors & key challenges
- Ability to close deals and convert prospects into long‑term key accounts.
- Build an effective internal network across functions and country teams.
- Establish trusted relationships with targeted customers and regional partners.
Additional Information
- Willingness to travel extensively across the BA.
- Willingness to work in an open space environment.
Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
West Africa Key Account employer: Syngenta
At Syngenta, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive training opportunities and a focus on sustainable agriculture, making a meaningful impact in the West African agri-business market. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team that values diversity and empowers you to drive significant change in food security and environmental stewardship.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land West Africa Key Account
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that key account role.
✨Tip Number 2
Research is key! Dive deep into Syngenta’s mission and values, especially their focus on sustainable agriculture. This will help you tailor your conversations and show you’re genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role. Highlight your successes in key account management and how you can drive growth in West Africa.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Syngenta.
We think you need these skills to ace West Africa Key Account
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the West Africa Key Account role. Highlight your experience in key account management and your understanding of the agri-business market in West Africa. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Syngenta!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in sales and key account development. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve increased sales or built strong partnerships, let us know!
Research Syngenta:Take some time to learn about Syngenta and our commitment to sustainable agriculture. Understanding our values and goals will help you articulate why you’re a great fit for the team. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Syngenta
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the West Africa agri-business market. Understand the trade dynamics and distribution landscape, especially in cotton, cocoa, and industrial farms. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to tackle the challenges Syngenta faces.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role focuses on key account management, think about how you can showcase your ability to build long-term relationships. Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully managed key accounts or negotiated beneficial agreements. This will highlight your fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Be ready to discuss your negotiation strategies and tactics. Think of specific instances where you’ve closed deals or converted prospects into long-term accounts. This will illustrate your capability to drive sustainable business growth, which is crucial for this position.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams like Marketing, Finance, and Customer Service. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated across different functions in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve successfully coordinated efforts to meet customer needs and achieve sales targets.
