Preamble
African Agency for Arid Resources Limited (Agar Ltd) is recruiting for the position of Head of Sales, working from Ridgeways Estate in Nairobi.
About AGAR LTD
African Agency for Arid Resources Limited (Agar Ltd) is a Kenyan company dealing with natural resources in the ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) areas of East Africa, specialized in the collection, grading and sale of 1st and 2nd grade Gum Arabic, Black Frankincense, Hagar/Opoponax and Myrrh together with the processing of resins into bulk essential oils. Agar Limited is also the parent company of “Essenza by Agar”, an international line of pure and organic essential oils from within the African continent, aloe based cosmetics, shea butter from Uganda and soon carrier oils from Kenya.
Our vision is to support the empowerment of pastoralist communities in the East African Asals through sustainable exploitation of natural forest resources, by providing them with market access and professional technical advice in selected NFTP value chains.
Our mission is to be the lead agency in the economically empowered, indigenous and innovative public-private partnership in the dry lands of East Africa and beyond, specializing in the sustainable exploitation of natural resources through bio-diversity, conservation practices, environmental sustainability and forestation.
Candidates should possess the following characteristics, skills, and traits:
• Communication skills: listen first and speak second; Be aware of the message transmitted, how it’s delivered, and how it’s perceived
• Integrity and trust: Nothing immoral, illegal, or something that goes against a company’s core values is to be done.
• Ability to build relationships with peers, cross-functional counterparts, and upper management: you are committed to helping others be successful.
• Empathy and ability to understand customer viewpoint and customer service
• Ability to unite a team under a shared vision and know what motivates each member
• Analytical skills: Use data-driven reports to plan targets and gaps. Understand pricing, margins, and discounting impacts
• Ability to prioritize and effectively manage time
The candidate, HoS, should have a bachelor’s degree in business, sales or marketing/communication, or equivalent business experience and 5+ years of progressively responsible sales experience for a company. Should have experience in partnering with an executive team and have a high level of written and oral communication skills.
Preference will be given to middle-management level candidates with prior experience in trading companies and with strong sales skills and proven track records, ready to grow with a young and dynamic company.
Previous experience in the beauty/cosmetics industry highly valued.
Working Conditions: The HoS will work in an office environment in Ridgeways Springs – Nairobi, with occasional travel out of county. Possession of a laptop is required, car preferred but not essential.
Responsibilities
The Head of Sales will be expected to deliver the following:
Planning
1. Assist in formulating the company's sales strategic plan and targets
2. Monitor and co-direct the implementation of strategic business plans
3. Help developing monthly sales and marketing strategies
4. Target and approach domestic clients for all the products in the line
5. Help the company target international clients
6. Assist with the production of quarterly provisional budgets, create weekly work plans and monthly reports
Operations
1. Engage target contacts with compelling and sustained messaging that drives access
2. Qualifying compliance and business demands, and aligning those to differentiated solutions
3. Build relationships that expose blind spots and accelerate the sales process
4. Build value and maintaining competitive strength
5. Close deals and ensuring production success with client systems
6. Garner reference-ability and leverage from positive client outcomes
7. Participate in key decisions as a member of the executive management team
8. Keep weekly sales sheets and pattern analysis
9. Supervise client’s acquisition paperwork with the Operations Manager
Marketing
1. Lead the company in online/social media campaign and possible content creation
2. Construct a reliable control systems for sales and communication activities
3. Maintain appropriate and timing online responses on social media
4. Help with the creation of flyers, brochures, and other merchandising
5. Monitor and supervise webstore’s sales and deliveries through couriers
Management and Coordination
1. Set targets, performance plans, and rigorous, objective standards for sales representatives.
2. Meet with Director one-on-one weekly to review performance, progress, and targets.
3. Deliver deep performance reviews for each product of the line
4. Coach product activators and other casual sales staff
5. Lead sales calls and planned field days
6. Develop a scalable sales process and ensure casual sales staff adhere to it correctly
7. Ensure that the company uses technologies, such as a CRM, correctly
8. Plan and implement training programs if needed with casual sales staff
9. Plan and preside over weekly sales team meetings
10. Organize and hold sales event, markets, activations and launches
11. Recruit, select, onboard, and train new casual sales staff if needed
12. Set a good example for the sales team. Work according to company culture and values, prioritize ruthlessly, use good communication, and deliver results effectively
13. Maintain close relationships with the Operations Manager and the Chief Administrator
14. Represent the company in sector’s events
Overall Responsibility
The Head of Sales (HoS) main responsibility is to acquire clients for the Essenza by Agar line of cosmetics. This position rotates around gaining more channels for the sales of essential oils, aloe cosmetics, shea butter and carrier oils to retailers/resellers/vendors; distributors; online platforms; hospitality structures; airlines and duty free shops; SPAs and salons and any other channel for the sales of the company’s items. The HoS is also responsible to seek new clients in the cosmetics industry for bulk sales, including when possible leads for bulk exports although priority is given to the domestic and regional markets for the retail line. The HoS will be independent and highly motivated to close clients and receive commissions (discussed during the interviews) and work with the team to coordinate and plan activities and events.
Job Requirements
Required education
Required relevant work experience
Required languages:
Mandatory attachments
Please have a scan or photo of these documents ready when you start the application:
Self-prepared CV file
Education certificate
Compensation
Salary range:Up to KSh75,000
The role includes a monthly commission and a quarterly bonus scheme.
