Senior Product Manager- VKB Group x1
Job Details
- Position: Senior Product Manager
- Company: VKB Landbou
- Group: VKB Group
- Location: Bethlehem, Free State
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Department: Procurement / Product Management
- Posted: 20 May 2026
- Closing Date: 27 May 2026
About the Role
The Senior Product Manager is responsible for leading the strategy, development, marketing, performance, and lifecycle management of animal feed and animal health product portfolios. The position combines commercial leadership, technical expertise, supplier management, product innovation, and regulatory compliance to drive business growth and profitability within the agricultural sector.
The successful candidate will work closely with suppliers, technical specialists, sales teams, and store personnel to ensure the company remains competitive and delivers high-quality solutions to livestock producers.
Main Purpose of the Position
To develop and implement product strategies for animal feed and animal health products, manage product performance, support sales growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders while contributing to the strategic objectives of the business.
Key Responsibilities
1. Product Strategy and Portfolio Management
- Develop and implement product strategies for:
- Animal feed products
- Animal health and veterinary products
- Manage the complete product lifecycle from introduction to discontinuation.
- Align product offerings with market demands and business objectives.
- Drive product innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure profitability and growth of assigned product categories.
2. Category Management
- Manage strategic objectives for both animal feed and animal health categories.
- Monitor category performance and profitability.
- Evaluate product range effectiveness and recommend improvements.
- Identify opportunities for expansion and market penetration.
3. Technical Product Support
- Coordinate technical support relating to:
- Animal nutrition
- Feed products
- Veterinary and medicinal products
- Provide expert product knowledge to internal and external stakeholders.
- Assist in resolving technical product-related challenges.
4. Sales and Marketing Support
- Support sales teams through:
- Product training
- Product demonstrations
- Technical guidance
- Product positioning strategies
- Engage with store personnel to improve product knowledge and customer service.
- Assist with marketing initiatives and promotional campaigns.
5. Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with:
- Feed safety regulations
- Veterinary medicine regulations
- Agricultural industry standards
- Monitor regulatory developments affecting product categories.
- Ensure product registrations and certifications remain current where required.
6. Market Research and Analysis
- Monitor industry trends and developments.
- Analyse competitor products and market activity.
- Track product performance and customer feedback.
- Identify emerging opportunities and risks within the agricultural market.
- Develop recommendations based on market intelligence.
7. Stakeholder and Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with:
- Suppliers
- Manufacturers
- Store personnel
- Internal business units
- Negotiate commercial agreements and product arrangements.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to improve product availability and performance.
8. Reporting and Performance Monitoring
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for product categories.
- Prepare management reports and product performance analyses.
- Track sales trends, profitability, and market share.
- Provide recommendations for business improvement and growth.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
- A Bachelor’s Degree or Postgraduate Qualification in a relevant field such as:
- Agriculture
- Animal Science
- Animal Nutrition
- Veterinary Science
- Agribusiness
- Agricultural Economics
- Related agricultural disciplines
Experience
Industry Experience
- Minimum 5–10+ years’ proven experience within the agricultural sector.
Product Management Experience
- Demonstrated experience in:
- Product Management, or
- Category Management
Specialist Industry Knowledge
Strong practical knowledge and experience in:
Animal Feed Industry
- Animal nutrition
- Feed formulation
- Feed products and solutions
- Livestock production systems
Animal Health Industry
- Veterinary products
- Animal medicines
- Livestock health management
- Agricultural healthcare products
Required Knowledge
The successful candidate should possess knowledge of:
Agricultural and Livestock Production
- Beef production systems
- Dairy production systems
- Poultry production systems
- Sheep and goat production systems
- Livestock nutrition and feeding programmes
Product Management
- Product lifecycle management
- Portfolio management
- Product development
- Pricing strategies
- Market positioning
Regulatory Environment
- Feed safety legislation
- Veterinary product regulations
- Agricultural industry compliance standards
- Product registration requirements
Commercial Management
- Sales strategy
- Procurement principles
- Supplier relationship management
- Contract negotiation
- Profitability management
Required Skills and Competencies
Strategic and Commercial Skills
- Strategic thinking
- Commercial awareness and business acumen
- Market analysis and forecasting
- Product planning and development
Analytical Skills
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Problem-solving abilities
- Critical thinking
- Performance evaluation
Communication Skills
- Excellent verbal communication
- Professional presentation skills
- Report writing skills
- Ability to communicate technical information effectively
Leadership Skills
- Stakeholder management
- Team collaboration and leadership
- Influencing and relationship-building abilities
- Decision-making capability
Project Management Skills
- Project planning and execution
- Coordination of multiple initiatives
- Time management
- Resource management
Technical Skills
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Product performance analysis
- Financial and commercial reporting
- Agricultural product knowledge
Negotiation Skills
- Supplier negotiations
- Commercial discussions
- Contract management
- Conflict resolution