Dimitri – Account Manager

In search of partnerships

Despite my training in refrigeration technology, I found myself in a commercial job and this suited me well. I gained experience in commercial approaches, and I realised fairly soon that I wanted to eventually work in a commercial role in which I could develop a relationship over a longer period of time.

The customers in the horticultural and agricultural sector are very agreeable people. Once you have earned their trust, they regard you as a long-term partner.

Why Bayer?

The first and foremost reason I chose Bayer CropScience is because they are at the ‘top’ of the market in horticultural and agricultural products. That is something that you clearly notice. As a representative for Bayer products, I am more welcome with potential customers than when I worked for a company which was much less known and which did not have the possibility of offering you the necessary support (such as a website, catalogue, assistance with the merchandising, delivery within 24 hours of placing an order, ...).

Due to the lack of career-growth opportunities with my previous employer, I became interested in the proposal made to me by Bayer three years ago. In a SME, you quickly reach a limit. In comparison, Bayer certainly offers sound career-development opportunities: both in Belgium and abroad, vertically as well as horizontally. Neither can I complain about the pay, which includes a nice car.

In the Bayer 'family', you feel at home immediately; it is an open culture, in which people are up front. Though the targets are well-defined, it is not just work that counts and I often find reasons to celebrate with colleagues: someone retiring for whom we would like to express our appreciation, someone who has found a new opportunity in the group, a few colleagues who have worked for a long time in the firm, a birthday,.... Even though I am ‘on the road’, I still have daily contact with my supervisor and other colleagues who work in Diegem.

A day in the life of...

For the job of Account Manager within the horticultural and agricultural sector, you need to show a high level of initiative, you have to be capable of working independently in order to build up a sector, be skilled in making new contacts and not be afraid to get your hands dirty.

A season starts at the end of September with the placing of the orders. This period is filled with numerous visits to existing and new customers, with the presentation of our products – any new products, a suggested approach for the coming year, the optimisations in the use of the website, .... These visits result subsequently in orders which are delivered in the course of January. From January onwards, we ensure the follow-up of the correct delivery of products and a suitable presentation of our products to the client. Then comes the training for (the staff of) the customer in the specifications for the use and composition of our products, so that from March-April, we are there to respond to the peak period. During this last phase, we guarantee a quick service and extra deliveries when needed.

Last change: Jun 29, 2009