Job
Description
7+ years of relevant experience in agriculture and rural development, with at least 3-4 years in sales, sourcing and marketing of agri-commodities. 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 Ayekarts 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.
