Commercial Operations Assistant

Role purpose

This Role in the interim, will support the daily Commercial Operations for Syngenta Vegetable seeds, Africa South Business unit, during the testing and implementation of Foundation system to ensure a smooth transition.

The role is a 12 months contract.

Accountabilities:

• Challenge & report on demand vs sales & current stock vs previous forecast on BUAS vegetable seeds country sales
• Execute purchase orders from Direct customers from BUAS in collaboration with the respective country managers & order management, according to guidelines, based on sales forecasted data in order to have volumes available for sales at country.
• Ensure issues are recorded within the specified timeframes and communicated to the Business Unit and serve as S&OP input
• Promptly inform local Customers, Territory business planner & EAME order management regarding changes in demand, delay, shortage, quality problems, allocations-this to work closely with TER business planner on IBP alignment for the Business Unit.
• Register Customer claims in ‘Reliance’ & secure follow up
• Execute with regional supply planner and order managers specific actions/operations/escalations in case of imbalance
• Request VEG customer master data material creation, extension, and assignments in SAP/Scala & IBP
• Slow & no movers management in Kenya local inventory; actively review inventory and notify BU S&OP for action
• Align with Local KE finance in coordination with Admin vegetable seeds assistance on KE quarterly stock takes for VEG seeds at the warehouse & KEPHIS account management and subsequent processes.
• Execute purchase orders for RE-Export from Kenya warehouse.
• Collaborate with Kenya veg seeds country Manager on KE Local inventory and replenishment plans in line with KPI guidance
• interaction with local (regional) supply operations team to capture information about availability/quality and transport inform sales force of any blocked order, related reasons, and define together delivery dates and methods
• Report lost sales & opportunities for Africa South Vegetable seeds Business Unit.
• Coordinate with Order management and country commercial lead on Credit note creation, where needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Critical Knowledge:

• Supply Chain/Logistics qualification - Bsc in Supply chain/Logistics
• Functional and technical Expertise in SAP /Foundation platforms
• Functional Expertise in Customer Relations & Operational management.
• General Knowledge in Agriculture-A degree/Diploma in Agronomy/Agriculture/Horticulture is an added advantage

Critical Skills:

• Effective liaison with other business functions and staff on a Local and regional level.
• Awareness of key supply chain systems and tools, IBP/iSCALA/ SAP Foundation
• Shows initiative, is proactive and be willing team player
• IT skills especially Microsoft MS Office Programs.
• Can work well under pressure in a multi-cultural environment

Critical Experience:

• 2 years Experience in Agro industry supply chain/Logistics processes
• 2 years Experience/use of SAP /Foundation platforms
• Functional and technical Expertise in vegetable seeds international logistics/shipping
• Functional Expertise in Customer Relations & Operational management
• Time management skills with high proactive behaviour to take initiatives
• Good interaction with functional leadership
• Ability to effectively work in a cross-functional matrix organization and Multiple stakeholders

Critical success factors

• Strong communication and relationships with local team members, and other stakeholders
• Inbound and Outbound customer order processing and delivery on time

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions. Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.