Head of Marketing & Environmental Solutions - NA

about upl:

UPL is focused on emerging as a premier global provider of total crop solutions designed to secure the world’s long-term food supply. Winning farmers hearts across the globe, while leading the way with innovative products and services that make agriculture sustainable, UPL is the fastest growing company in the industry. Our successes in the field add up to powerful financials. UPL delivers results from protecting crops that translate into attractive investor value. Based on the recognition that humankind is one community, UPL’s overarching commitment is to improve areas of its presence, workplace, and customer engagement.

Our purpose is ‘OpenAg’. An agriculture network that feeds sustainable growth for all. No limits, no borders. 

(EOE) EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT:

UPL provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants irrespective of their race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, in every location in which the company has facilities, UPL complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. UPL also reinforces EEO through its Corporate Business Principles and Code of Business Conduct.

Job Summary:  

The incumbent of this role will lead the North American Marketing function and Environmental Solutions (ES) business, driving strategic marketing initiatives, portfolio positioning, and demand creation while holding full P&L accountability. The role will also oversee Technical Service alignment to support sales, new product launches, and customer success, with a dotted-line connection to Global Field Research & Technical Development / R&D. As a member of the North America Regional Leadership Team (RLT), this position will ensure execution excellence across marketing, ES portfolio management, and technical service support.

Job Responsibilities:

Marketing Leadership

• Drive development and execution of marketing strategies to achieve profitable growth across the U.S. and Canada, aligned with regional and global objectives.
• Accountable for delivering annual financial objectives, mid- and long-term growth strategies, and building a highly engaged workforce.
• Partner with Commercial Leaders to establish portfolio leadership teams and optimize sales and operations processes for maximum portfolio profitability.
• Collaborate with global portfolio, R&D, and regulatory teams to shape the regional product pipeline, balancing short-, medium-, and long-term business objectives.
• Design and implement growth strategies through organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions to accelerate regional success.
• Lead Product Marketing, Canada Marketing, Marketing Services, and Communications to strengthen UPL’s brand presence and customer engagement.
• Ensure excellence in new product launches, value-based pricing, portfolio management, and global brand enhancement.
• Build and inspire a high-performance marketing organization, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous learning.
• Partner with HR to develop and implement a Marketing Capability Development Program to enhance team skills and future readiness.

Environmental Solutions (ES): Portfolio & P&L

• Full P&L accountability for ES; lead forecasting, pricing, mix, and portfolio profitability.
• Develop and implement annual ES business and marketing plans including volume targets, pricing, positioning, and market programs to drive demand.
• Oversee advertising, communications, and PR to support ES growth, coordinate product supply and monthly forecast updates.
• Lead coordination of sales processes including business planning; monitor KPIs with appropriate reporting and insights (incl. EDI and account analytics).
• Define market expansion opportunities; conduct competitive analyses and market research to identify opportunities and inform pricing & positioning.
• Create and manage the 5-year strategic plan for ES to achieve sales and profit targets; negotiate and maintain agreements with third parties.
• Develop a high-performance ES team; collaborate with HR on people development, performance management, culture, and engagement.

Technical Service — Alignment & Execution

• Lead Technical Service function for U.S. & Canada to ensure alignment with Marketing and support sales of new and existing products.
• Ensure Technical Service team supports sales efforts through research trials and training.
• Assist in managing Technical Service trial planning, budgeting, and execution.
• Facilitate alignment of Technical Service team with key customers to support sales growth and new product launches.

 Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required (Ag Marketing, Business, or related); MBA or advanced degree in Ag/Business preferred.
• 15–20 years’ experience in Product/Brand/Customer Marketing and/or Environmental Solutions/commercial operations within the agriculture industry.
• 10+ years leading multi-disciplinary teams, with demonstrated success in strategy creation, value pricing, and launch excellence.
• Experience with field trials, data analysis, and interpreting results; ability to manage budgets across fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and BioSolutions.
• Strong project management, financial acumen, and analytical skills; ability to turn data into actionable insights for sales and account teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; adept at influencing cross-functional stakeholders and external partners.

UPL COMPETENCIES: 

• Adaptability & Resilience: Recognizes and is open to changing circumstances and alters behavior and scales up as necessary; increases personal awareness and appreciation of individual and cultural differences to create an open, inclusive, and accepting workplace.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Has a creative mindset and ability to think holistically, takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities.
• Results Orientations: Acts, pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition.
• Execution Excellence: Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processes, systems, and people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation.
• Strategic Orientation: Demonstrates knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors and how they impact business. Identifies key issues that could impact the business and develops strategy through an analytical lens / design thinking.
• Building Teams and Talent: Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation, quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments.
• Customer Centricity: Understands the customer needs and pain points, fulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers.