Technical Advisor: International

AECI Plant Health is seeking a highly skilled International Technical Advisor to lead technical strategy and provide expert agronomic support across selected international territories. This individual will play a pivotal role in expanding the division's footprint by driving the adoption of in house products, strengthening customer confidence, and enabling market growth through credible technical leadership. The ideal candidate combines deep agronomic expertise with strong commercial awareness and thrives in diverse cultural and agricultural environments.

The position is based in Gauteng, South Africa, with the requirement for frequent international travel in support of activities across multiple markets.

• Provides in field and remote technical support to growers, distributors, agronomists, and other stakeholders across designated international markets.
• Develops integrated crop programmes and technical recommendations aligned with product labels, best practice, and market needs.
• Conducts crop inspections, diagnoses constraints (pests, diseases, nutrition, soil health, application practices), and recommends effective solutions.
• Supports complaint investigations, compiles technical summaries, and recommends practical corrective actions.

• Translates divisional priorities into annual technical plans per country, identifying key crops, target segments, and growth driving initiatives.
• Partners with Key Account Managers to support pipeline development, shape technical value propositions, and convert technical activity into commercial outcomes.
• Provides structured technical and market insights, including competitor analysis, emerging threats, and portfolio positioning recommendations.

• Designs, coordinates, and executes demonstration and registration trials with sound protocols and accurate data collection.
• Analyses trial results and converts insights into practical commercial guidance and compelling technical communication.
• Supports technical marketing materials, product launches, field days, and distributor events.

• Identifies knowledge gaps and delivers technical training to internal teams, distributors, and key customers.
• Provides ongoing mentorship to in market technical staff and channel partners.
• Drives understanding of residue requirements and market specific compliance standards.

• Builds strong relationships with growers, influencers, distributors, research institutions, universities, and industry bodies.
• Collaborates cross functionally with Registration, Supply Chain, Product Teams, and Marketing to strengthen product stewardship and planning.

• Ensures alignment with all Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) standards during field and technical activities.
• Participates in SHEQ Management Systems processes, audits, and reporting.
• Maintains accurate documentation and technical reporting, and adheres to internal controls and confidentiality requirements.

• A tertiary qualification in Agriculture (BSc, BSc Agric, B Agric or related field) is essential.
• Minimum of 5 years' post graduate technical advisory experience in agriculture, agrochemicals, or plant nutrition.
• Strong agronomic knowledge with the ability to translate technical insights into practical recommendations.
• Experience across multiple regions or countries is advantageous.
• Proficiency in trial design, data interpretation, and technical reporting.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, comfortable working across cultures.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel extensively, including cross border.

• Strategic thinking and commercial insight
• Strong analytical and problem solving ability
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and networking capability
• High adaptability and resilience under pressure
• Strong execution, planning, and organisational skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a growth orientation
• High attention to detail and sound professional judgement

This position presents a significant opportunity for an experienced technical professional to contribute meaningfully to the development of international markets through the delivery of credible scientific expertise and strategic technical leadership. The successful incumbent will play a key role in strengthening the Company's market presence, advancing the adoption of its product portfolio, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple regions.