Sales & Business Development Manager

About SwitchON Foundation

Established in 2008, SwitchON Foundation is a reputable non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable development through innovative approaches in climate-resilient agriculture, clean energy, green livelihoods, and reducing industrial carbon emissions. Operating with over 175 dedicated team members across 10 Indian states, the foundation empowers local communities by providing access to climate-smart technologies and farming practices. It is acknowledged as a Great Place to Work and champions diversity and inclusion, notably with significant female leadership representation.

Role Overview

We are looking for a proactive and travel-ready Sales & Business Development Manager focused on bulk selling agricultural commodities through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Located in Nagar district, Maharashtra, this role demands extensive fieldwork, including frequent travel, managing buyer networks, and collaborating with FPOs to sustain supply and ensure timely delivery of products like paddy, pulses, spices, edible oils, vegetables, and oilseeds. Strong negotiation capabilities and excellent communication skills in Hindi, Marathi, and English are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a robust buyer network for bulk agro-commodity sales tied to FPOs.
• Coordinate with FPOs to monitor product availability, quality standards, quantities, and pricing strategies.
• Manage procurement, aggregation, and dispatch in alignment with FPO leadership and field teams.
• Support packaging, branding, and compliance efforts related to FPO products.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders including farmers, FPO staff, buyers, and logistics partners.
• Facilitate buyer-producer connection events and market linkage initiatives.
• Assist in sample sharing, negotiation processes, and communication with buyers.
• Gather and analyze market intelligence regarding price trends, demands, and competitor activities.
• Support finalizing agreements such as MOUs and contracts between FPOs and buyers.
• Maintain sales records using MS Office tools and provide regular updates to internal teams.
• Coordinate with program and field teams to synchronize sales with production timelines.

Requirements

• Minimum 4 to 5 years of overall experience in sales, with at least 2 to 3 years specifically in agricultural commodity sales linked to FPOs.
• Proven track record managing bulk sales volumes and buyer negotiations.
• A graduate degree in any field; agricultural background preferred.
• Proficiency in spoken Hindi, Marathi, and English languages.
• Basic understanding of agricultural and food commodity markets.
• Energetic with a strong willingness to undertake extensive travel for sales activities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build lasting relationships and close significant deals.
• Comfortable operating in highly field-driven and target-focused work environments.

Compensation and Work Conditions

The monthly take-home salary will range from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000, influenced by individual experience and sales performance. This position reports to the Project Manager and involves continuous extensive travel to support sales and market expansion efforts.