The Company

The East-West Seed Group is a European based Privately owned Global leader in the tropical vegetable seeds business.  Using advanced breeding technologies, East-West Seed creates value for farmers by producing Better Seeds for Better Yield.  The company’s strategy is based on breeding locally adapted varieties that allow farmers to be more productive, increase their income and profits - thereby contributing to agricultural sustainability.  

East-West seeds are planted in the fields of over 30 million farmers worldwide, with 200 billion seeds sold yearly. The company is Asia-based, but with global operations primarily in the tropical zone.  

We have over 4,500 employees globally and maintain 12 R&D stations in 7 countries.  We live and work in the markets that we serve.  To learn more about EWS please visit www.eastwestseed.com

The Role

East-West Seed International is expanding and developing its business in Latin America. As part of its expansion plans, exciting Market opportunities have have been identified for Mexico.

The strategic plan included identification of qualified distributors which the process has been successfully completed. To take things forward and accomplish the set business objectives, we seek to deploy leaders with passion and execution power to transform these opportunities to measurable results.

The role, in close partnership with our distributors shall gather market intelligence/ information, helping EWS in developing new products, entering new markets and optimizing on market opportunities.

This position requires a diplomatic, social and technically skilled person to foster strong distributor relationships, recommend product development strategy for the assigned area and build its potential for revenue growth and market position. The person in this role would coach and lead a team of commercial professionals, implementing the laid out strategies and motivating the team to work effectively together.

Job overview and responsibilities

• Build and manage strong distributor relationships, continuously challenging them to improve their product and market development.
• Maintain strong know-how on relevant East West products for the area and being able to give in depth technical advices on seed culture management and production.
• Gather and analyze market data for the assigned area; keep self aware of the seed industry and market developments, to leverage emerging best practices
• Lead Product Development Strategy for Mexico; Identify potential opportunities, considering un-served markets, unaddressed customer segments, opportunities and likely increases in market demand; assess the probability of success and the profitability for each proposed venture before recommending capital allocation.
• Drive the implementation of product development and business strategies in his assigned markets, conduct formal reviews of product development plans and programs.
• Set up, coordinate and evaluate product development trials in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Other countries may be added at a later stage.
• Transition business development activities into commercial operations and be the first point of contact for distributors in the area.
• Develop technical and commercial policy in the area, in cooperation with the Area Manager – Latin America.
• Accountable for managing performance and career development for a team of commercial professionals - be an effective coach.
• Responsible for forecasting, sample coordination and pricing for assigned area.
• Act as first point of contact for above countries. Frequent travel. Continuously challenge distributors to improve product development and sales. Improve
• Set up and organize screening trials for new varieties. Delivery of high quality reports and make recommendations for advancements. Priorities: determinate tomato; sweet corn, amongst others.

Key Success Factors

• Past experience in successfully managing a distribution network across Mexico markets
• Experience/ Ability to foster strong business relationships and converting relationships to business opportunities
• Source market/ competitor info and provide analytics to the organization, helping make timely decision on strategies
• Proven ability and experience in managing a team of sales professionals - an effective coach
• Willing and able to travel extensively

Desirable personal traits

• An overall relevant experience of minimum of 6+ years
• University Graduate (Desirable, not mandatory if backed with relevant experience)
• Open to extensive and tight travel schedules.  
• Highly flexible and adaptable in managing stakeholder relationship and communication  

Required Skills and knowledge

• Solution and Results oriented
• Highest levels of Personal & Professional Integrity
• Ability to partner and collaborate with EWS resources globally
• Identifies opportunities in challenging and ambiguous situations
• Able to effectively communicate with teams and motivate them to deliver
• Adept with local market practices (Ability to source all relevant information)  

EWS Core competencies

• Accountability
• Customer focus
• Personal learning
• Creativity
• Peer relationships
• Action oriented

EWS Leadership competencies:

• Build our organization and inspire trust
• Sets vision and strategy
• Innovation management
• Delivers results
• Building effective teams

Resumes to be sent to:  chandramoorthy.thirukannapiran@eastwestseed.com