Paul Yeates
Latrobe,TAS
Summary
- Motivated Agribusiness professional with extensive experience in product sales and distribution. Possesses unmatched leadership and strategy skills to maximize company revenue.
- Expertise in management, marketing strategies and merchandising. Dedicated agribusiness professional with a history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized practices.
- Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
- To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
- Proactive and achievement-oriented Agribusiness professional bringing over 35 years of commercial and leadership experience with special emphasis helping Horticultural clientele. Articulate communicator, natural leader and organized manager.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Key Account Manager
EE Muir & Sons
07.2023 - 04.2024
- Built and maintained strong client relationships to drive business growth.
- Developed thorough understanding of key clients' needs and requirements to prepare customized solutions.
- Conducted regular account reviews with clients to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and strategised future growth opportunities.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by resolving client concerns quickly and efficiently.
- Drive sales through relationships and trust building, understanding and anticipation of client's needs.
- Strengthened client relationships through regular communication and effective problem solving.
- Negotiated contract renewals with existing clients, securing long-term commitment and fostering ongoing collaboration.
- Maintained high level of industry knowledge by attending relevant conferences, seminars, and workshops, contributing to development of innovative solutions for clients.
- Organized cross-functional teams to address complex client requests or projects efficiently, resulting in increased satisfaction levels among key accounts holders.
- Facilitated strategic meetings with key stakeholders to understand customer needs and develop action plans.
- Monitored competitor activity within industry, adjusting strategies accordingly to maintain competitive edge in key accounts management.
- Proactively identified potential issues within key accounts, taking corrective action to prevent loss of business or dissatisfaction.
National Product Manager - Local Fertiliser
EE Muir & Sons
07.2022 - 07.2023
- National Product Manager – Local Fertiliser, role was to establish, maintain and implement bulk fertiliser strategies across all national branches of EEM and Serve-Ag network.
- Increased multi-million-dollar group sales by over 30% in 12 months.
- Bulk fertiliser has increased significance to "The Muir Group" (TMG) and as the initial dedicated Product Manager for this area of business, I took pleasure in growing this area significantly.
- I actively interfaced with the significant imported fertiliser businesses to ensure bulk fertiliser growth was achieved collectively and not at the expense of the key specialty range of products.
- I conducted regular competitor analysis to stay ahead in the market and maintain a competitive edge.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful product launches, ensuring smooth collaboration between departments.
- Maximized revenue growth by setting pricing strategies based on market research data and internal cost analyses.
- Negotiated supplier contracts to secure favourable terms that minimized risk while maximizing value for our organisation.
- Led and facilitated training sessions for sales teams to ensure thorough understanding of product features, benefits, and unique selling points.
- Expanded distribution channels by identifying potential partners, negotiating contracts, and building lasting relationships with suppliers and our internal distribution channel.
- Supported corporate sustainability initiatives by implementing eco-friendly product packaging solutions that reduced our environmental impact while maintaining product quality.
- Influenced company culture by promoting innovation, teamwork, and results-driven approach among employees at all levels.
- Maintained positive supplier relations to build strong partnerships.
- Analysed metrics to measure product performance.
Fertiliser State Manager
Campbells Fertiliser Australasia (CFA)
01.2017 - 07.2022
- As Fertiliser State Manager and Sales Manager – Compo Expert – Australasia my role was to establish and implement both state distribution of CFA products through Serve-Ag branch network partners and implement and develop the exclusive national distribution partnerships for the Compo Expert range of products.
- Focus on the ongoing commercial success of Campbell's Fertilisers and to manage the commercial product positioning of all business.
- Boosted sales through successful marketing and service optimization strategies.
- Provided ongoing training and development opportunities for staff members, fostering culture of continuous learning and growth.
- Supported the successful launch of new products by coordinating marketing campaigns and promotional events across the region.
- Developed communications materials to promote organisational plans and initiatives.
- Administered budgets with sound cost control plans and expense tracking systems.
- Negotiated contracts and commercial agreements with favourable terms.
- Coordinated staff development plans to build empowered, confident and knowledgeable team.
- Continuously monitored market trends to identify new opportunities for growth or competitive advantages.
- Partnered with senior staff to develop annual and quarter plans and budgets.
- Maintained open lines of communication with all stakeholders, ensuring alignment on goals and expectations throughout the organization.
- Tracked performance to identify deficiencies and adjust management strategies.
- Increased overall sales by implementing strategic marketing plans and optimizing regional resources.
Commercial Group Lead
Serve-Ag Pty. Ltd.
01.2013 - 01.2017
- As Commercial Group Lead, be responsible for managing all aspects of commercial procurement and distribution of agricultural chemicals, seed and fertiliser for Tasmanian agribusiness Serve-Ag
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Report directly to the CEO.
- Maintain a leadership role amongst The Muir Group organisation as well as my national AgLink colleagues.
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environments.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in team settings, providing support and guidance.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Supply & Product Manager
Serve-Ag Pty Ltd
01.1999 - 01.2013
- As Supply & Product Manager, establish and implement the national development and ongoing commercial success of Serve-Ag speciality products business.
- Communicated effectively with team members to deliver updates on project milestones and deadlines.
- Developed product documentation to communicate upcoming features and products to internal teams.
- Analyzed metrics to measure product performance.
- Collaborated with sales teams to develop effective training materials that drove increased product knowledge among staff members, resulting in higher close rates.
- Maintained positive supplier relations to build strong partnerships.
- Managed full product lifecycle, from ideation through post-launch support, ensuring consistent quality control measures were in place.
- Managed stakeholder expectations effectively throughout the entire product development process.
- Launched successful products by conducting thorough market research and identifying customer needs.
- Liaised with clients to better understand business needs and current market landscape.
- Analysed competitive landscapes to identify market opportunities, informing strategic business decisions.
- Continuously monitored customer feedback channels after launch to gather insightful data for future iterations or updates.
Sales Agronomist
Serve-Ag Pty Ltd
01.1990 - 01.1999
- As an Agronomist my objective was to develop and grow the agronomy business through the development and growth of business relationships with grower clients.
- Implemented sustainable farming practices that resulted in decreased input costs while maintaining yield levels.
- Developed new business through targeted prospecting efforts, cold calling, and attending industry events.
- Increased sales by developing strong relationships with farmers and providing tailored agronomic advice.
- Optimized clients'' yields by conducting soil tests and recommending appropriate fertilizers and amendments.
- Assisted clients in navigating regulatory requirements related to crop protection products, ensuring compliance and minimizing risk.
- Conducted regular field visits to monitor crop performance, recommend adjustments, and address potential issues proactively.
- Consistently exceeded sales targets by identifying growth opportunities within existing accounts while securing new clientele.
- Built lasting partnerships with key industry stakeholders such as suppliers, distributors, research institutes, and regulatory bodies.
- Demonstrated adaptability by constantly updating knowledge on changing weather patterns, pest pressures, and disease outbreaks to provide timely advice to customers.
- Educated customers on the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices in order to empower informed decision-making processes.
- Enhanced product knowledge by participating in ongoing training programs, workshops, and conferences.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Science (Rural Technology) - Rural Technology
University of Queensland, Gatton Campus
Gatton, QLD1988
Certificate of Agriculture -
Emerald Pastoral College
Emerald, QLD1979
Skills
- Diverse experience in Australian agribusiness sector
- Ability to build strong and trusted relationships with key stakeholders to deliver focused and agreed outcomes
- Experience in developing and managing sales and marketing budgets while executing agreed business plans
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and systematically about situations and to establish skilled teams to deliver agreed results
- Extensive experience in and understanding of Australian agricultural industry
- Strong and established relationships in key agribusiness distribution channels
- High level of skills using Microsoft platform of products
Career Overview
I have had a wide-ranging career in Australian agriculture spanning over 35-years. During that time, I have had the opportunity to be involved with many facets of the horticultural and agribusiness industry. My initial experience in agribusiness was as a graduate agronomist in the Tasmanian horticultural vegetable industry. My roles have varied greatly since then becoming more commercially focused to include product development and business management roles. These have involved national responsibilities for the development, registration, implementation and expansion of product distribution models for key agricultural products. The exposure this has given me to national agribusiness distribution networks and key industry bodies has allowed me the opportunity to develop close working relationships with the horticultural and agricultural chemical industry in particular. It has also allowed me to develop key business management and team building skills.
Key Crop Sectors And Agronomic Experience
- Strong Knowledge of Agribusiness and distribution channels
- Plant Nutrition – experience in the fertiliser business including the commodity, liquid and speciality sectors
- Vegetables – processing crops – potatoes, green beans, peas, brassica's, onions
- Tropical horticulture
- Extracted crops – poppies, pyrethrum
- Perennial Fruit and Vines– apples, cherries, wine grapes
- Forestry
- Seed crops – pasture, vegetable
- Pasture production systems
- Turf – amenity, golf
- Professional pest control
- Industrial weed control – councils, road, rail
Volunteer Experience
- Devonport Tennis Club, Committee member, 2004, 2006, President, 2006, 2008
- Devonport Scouts, President, 2007, 2012
- Andrews Creek Primary School, President, 2005, 2017
- West Devonport Hockey Club, President, 2019, 2021
- Mersey Rowing Club, Board member, 2022, Current
References
Referees are available on request
Timeline
Key Account Manager
EE Muir & Sons
07.2023 - 04.2024
National Product Manager - Local Fertiliser
EE Muir & Sons
07.2022 - 07.2023
Fertiliser State Manager
Campbells Fertiliser Australasia (CFA)
01.2017 - 07.2022
Commercial Group Lead
Serve-Ag Pty. Ltd.
01.2013 - 01.2017
Supply & Product Manager
Serve-Ag Pty Ltd
01.1999 - 01.2013
Sales Agronomist
Serve-Ag Pty Ltd
01.1990 - 01.1999
Bachelor of Applied Science (Rural Technology) - Rural Technology
University of Queensland, Gatton Campus
Certificate of Agriculture -
Emerald Pastoral College
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