Irrigation Market Development Manager - Centurion (5227)

Are you a strategic, commercially-savvy leader with deep irrigation sector expertise?
A national supplier in the industrial, hardware and irrigation sector is looking for an experienced Irrigation Market Development Manager to drive growth, expand market share, and lead a specialised sales division to new heights.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on developing strategy, leading teams, unlocking new opportunities, and strengthening product positioning across SA and neighbouring markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a full growth strategy for the irrigation division.
• Conduct in-depth market and industry research to identify new opportunities across farming, landscaping, horticulture, and infrastructure projects.
• Analyse competitor activity, market gaps, and threats to strengthen product positioning.
• Define pricing models that balance competitiveness with profitability.
• Engage with irrigation associations and industry bodies to stay ahead of market trends and standards.

Sales & Revenue Leadership

• Convert company revenue goals into clear, actionable sales targets.
• Build strong partnerships with distributors, retailers, and large-scale clients.
• Oversee structured account management to drive retention and growth.
• Monitor category sales performance and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Lead negotiations for long-term agreements and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate closely with finance for forecasting and budgeting alignment.

Team Leadership & Training

• Provide leadership to technical and irrigation-specialist sales teams.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and mentorship sessions.
• Identify training needs and implement structured development programmes.
• Train both staff and clients on irrigation solutions and best practices.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.

Data-Driven Insights & Reporting

• Analyse sales and client data to produce actionable insights.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports for senior management.
• Benchmark performance against competitors to guide decision-making.
• Monitor market trends such as input costs and currency shifts that affect profitability.
• Use CRM systems to identify gaps and opportunities in client engagement.

Innovation, Technology & Process Improvement

• Identify and evaluate new irrigation technologies to enhance the product offering.
• Drive product introduction projects with suppliers and internal teams.
• Improve supply chain efficiency by collaborating with procurement and logistics.
• Recommend process improvements aimed at reducing cost and increasing productivity.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Sales Management, Business, Agricultural Engineering, Irrigation Science (SABI), or related field.
• Additional certifications in irrigation design, installation, or water management are advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership or management role overseeing national/regional sales teams.
• Proven success developing and executing sales strategies in irrigation, agriculture, or allied technical industries