Limagrain is a global company with deep local roots. Our parent company is an agricultural cooperative based in the Limagne-Val d'Allier plain, in the heart of Central France's Auvergne region, while we are an international seed and agri-food group with some 9,600 employees working in 53 countries.
As the 4th largest seed company in the world, we achieved sales of 2.522 billion euros in 2023-2024, with additional sales of 729 million euros from activities carried out in collaboration with our strategic partners.
Function
Main Goal
This role aligns with Limagrain's strategic vision to be the leading pure field seeds specialist through performing multi-crop genetics and farmer proximity by driving sustainable growth across Asia and Africa, the Business Development role supports Limagrain by establishing a robust presence in new and underserviced markets across Asia and Africa to drive sustainable growth. Achieve the short and long-term financial and operating objectives set by Limagrain (revenue and market share growth, profitability increase and cash flow).
Job Description
- Market Research and Strategy Development:
- Establish an overall vision and business strategy, align with Limagrain AAP strategy to deliver business and financial targets.
- Develop short-term and long-term market entry plans tailored to local conditions in targeted markets.
- Conduct detailed market analyses to identify opportunities in emerging and underserviced markets.
- Contribute to Limagrain AAP strategy by providing regular input on competitor activity and markets trends in the responsible areas.
- Collaborate with Territory Head/ BSA Head to define the best way to initiate business in new and underserviced markets.
- Market Entry and Development:
- Establish a strong presence (beachheads) in high-potential markets across Asia and Africa to build long-term foundations for growth.
- Develop and maintain partnerships with local distributors/ partners to ensure effective reach to farming communities and support market penetration.
- Establish distributor networks (transactional / strategic) in opportunistic markets
- Product selection and Innovation:
- Prioritise selection of crops and varieties to quickly develop a programme of product development
- Source varieties from across the global Limagrain network to deploy in agreed markets
- Identify and promote innovative agricultural practices and technologies that align with market needs.
- Work closely with partners and distributors to translate trial results into actionable sales opportunities.
- Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build relationships with government bodies, industry associations, and local influencers.
- Represent Limagrain in critical forums to enhance brand visibility and advocacy for field seed.
- Foster trust and loyalty by maintaining regular engagement with farmer communities.
- Sales and Growth:
- Lead the execution of sales plans that prioritize Limagrain's goals and regional opportunities.
- Drive sales through strong local partnerships while ensuring market penetration and revenue generation.
- Setting and monitoring progress towards the financial budgets cost structure, capex and sales, plus quantitative and qualitative objectives with key stakeholders, and cross-functional teams in the BSA.
- Partnership and Contract Management:
- Negotiate and formalize contracts with distributors, ensuring clear articulation of mutual commitments.
- Establish robust customer relationship frameworks to build loyalty and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Responsible for all distributor business across Asia and Africa (non-BSA business), including existing distributors
- Direct management of customer relations including product development, private and official registration trials, marketing, and setting the commercial and price policies.
- Collate demand plans from partners
- Operational Setup and Expansion:
- Setting up the business by working with local distributors and/ or partners to establish a presence in new markets. At an early stage, execution will mainly be facilitated by leveraging existing networks and resources.
- Collaborate with all the key support functions in the BSA (e.g. Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Legal, and other relevant functions) to ensure the right marketing mix is developed, a smooth operation and the timely availability of seeds and products.
- Compliance and Risk Management:
- Adhere to local laws, company policies, and sustainability goals in all business activities.
- Identify and mitigate potential risks while entering or operating in new markets.
- Lead, direct and control local activities to meet business objectives, comply with local regulations and standards, and protect the company's reputation. Local activities may include organization of trials, product development, sales, marketing, communication, local development, and customer service activities, finance, production, and supply.
Skills
- Master's degree in Agriculture, Business, or related field.
- Entrepreneurial spirit with the ability to identify and capitalize on new opportunities.
- Strong collaboration capabilities.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
- Exceptional cross-cultural relationship-building and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work in teams in a matrix organization.
- Results-oriented with a hands-on approach, strong autonomy, and a focus on execution and impact.
Job Requirements
- Minimum 7 years of professional experience with sales / business development experience in an international environment.
- Proven expertise in agri-business, preferably with experience in field crops.
- Fluent in English; proficiency in additional languages spoken in Africa and APAC regions is a strong advantage.
