Area Manager - Agricultural Sales

Experience: 7+ years of relevant experience in agriculture and rural development, with at least 3-4 years in sales, sourcing and marketing of agri-commodities.
No. of Openings: 1
Location: Akola, Maharashtra

About the Role:

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Area Sales Manager – Agricultural Sales to anchor Ayekart’s agri-sales operations in Akola, Maharashtra. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the development sector, having worked extensively with NGOs, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and smallholder farmers. A deep understanding of agricultural value chains, commodity marketing, and agri-trade practices is essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the sourcing and marketing of agri-commodities in the assigned region, ensuring alignment with company targets.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with FPOs, NGOs, farmer groups, local traders, and agri-input/output buyers.
• Facilitate agri-extension services by supporting FPOs and farmers in adopting best practices in production, post-harvest management, and market readiness.
• Identify demand for various agri-commodities; forecast and plan sourcing, aggregation and procurement accordingly.
• Facilitate the establishment of agricultural commodities collection centres and undertake quality control activities.
• Engage and negotiate with buyers—corporates, processors, traders—for bulk sales of agricultural produce.
• Coordinate end-to-end sales and procurement cycles, including quality checks, logistics, warehousing, and timely payments.
• Monitor price trends and market movements to make informed trading and pricing decisions.
• Regularly track performance, report sales data, and ensure compliance with statutory and organizational policies.
• Drive area-specific marketing initiatives, awareness campaigns, and promotional events in collaboration with internal teams.
• Support the digitisation of FPO operations by facilitating the adoption of Ayekart's tech and finance tools.

Requirements:

• Postgraduate degree in agribusiness management, rural management, agricultural economics, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in the agriculture and rural development sector, with at least 3-4 years in sales, sourcing and marketing of agri-commodities.
• Prior experience of working with NGOs, development agencies, FPOs, or agricultural cooperatives is essential.
• Demonstrated understanding of agri-value chains, post-harvest processes, and agricultural marketing systems.
• Strong knowledge of commodity trading, buyer-seller negotiations, and market linkage development.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work in rural settings and build grassroots-level partnerships.
• Proficiency in English and Hindi; knowledge of Marathi is strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel extensively across the assigned district and nearby regions.