Business Developer

Job description

Job Summary

Pai Seedlings Foundation

Pai Seedlings is a grassroot non-profit organization striving for environmental education and nature-based lifestyles. For the first 5 years they have been operating at the level of family (Lyse and Damien) to successfully develop an eco-center for the experimentation of ecological restoration and life transitions in Pai, MHS, Thailand, including regenerative agriculture, soil biology, natural contruction, low-techs, community building, training programs for travellers and locals and a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).

In 2022,with the support of the Ecca Foundation their team grows to embrace more ambitious projects. This is the birth of the Regenerative Farmers’ Cooperative Project..

Project Description

This project aims at supporting 20 farmers for 5 years, with the ambition to transform the status-quo on conventional farming (chemical, debt and sickness) into a sustainable model of regenerative agriculture (cooperative, local and resilient model).

The objectives are to regenerate :

• The ecological landscape : improve soils fertility, support biodiversity, limit erosion, stop burning ;

• The economic landscape : increase income, develop a premium distribution network, diversify revenue streams ;

• The social landscape : create education and training opportunities, produce healthy and nourishing food for the community, lower exposure to chemicals, empower the farmers to own the cooperative.

The Cooperative Business Developer mission

The success of the project will rely on the proper implementation of soil regeneration strategies (Damien Masselis’ expertise), cooperation (between farmers) and also on our capacity to create premium distribution channels for the production : the business developer’s mission.

The main missions of the Cooperative Business Developper will be to :

1. Business :

   1. Design a business strategy to market our production ;

   2. Research the market opportunities to help steer the production ;

   3. Create an original and unique network of partners for the distribution (marketing and sales) : memberships, CSA model, exclusive partnerships, direct sales, fresh&cooked produce, direct events, etc.

2. Legal :

   1. research, present and implement the necessary steps for the creation of an agricultural cooperative.

   2. Make sure we stay aligned with all the legal requirements in Thailand.

Responsibilities & Duties

Internally : set up the Agricultural Cooperative

      - Research the possibilities and legal requirements

      - Present to the community, reach an agreement, make the final decisions

      - Implement the creation of the legal structure

Externally : set up the distribution network : memberships & partnerships

• Market research

• Develop membership based solution : CSA model for individuals & businesses

• Develop direct sales partnerships with local businesses

• Develop a range of long shelf-life products to distribute to premium shops throughout Thailand.

• Follow up on orders and keep a close and direct relationship with all partners.

Qualification & Skills

Technical skills

      - Good spokesman and public relation
      - Good at sales and marketing
      - Good use of digital collaboration tools

Interpersonnal skills

      - Excellent written & spoken communication skills in Thai. Good speaking, reading writing in English.

      - Must have a genuine passion for and understanding of regenerative agriculture and natural farming.

      - Team player : can collaborate with farmers, designers, chef, managers, business owners etc.

Salary & Benefits

      - Start as soon as possible.

      - 25,000thb/month. Possibility of increase after 1 year.

      - Can partially work remotly

      - Other benefits : organic produce from the farm for all project members as we develop the production.

      - At the end of this 5 year project : the business developer will be the ideal candidate to become the Farmers’ Cooperative manager.