EXPORTS: TECHNICAL AND DEVELOPMENT LEAD

Job Description

Job Title                                                   EXPORTS: TECHNICAL AND DEVELOPMENT LEAD                       

Reporting To                                           EAF EXPORT MANAGER                           

Function                                                  EXPORTS: TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND R&D

Location                                                  GAUTENG

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 farmer's 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.

We are one team, for maximum impact. One team with shared goals. We have a laser-like focus on what our customers need and want, on anticipating their future needs, and on how we can create innovative solutions and experiences for them. We think outside the box and go beyond our comfort zone. We believe in agility, we mix the power of speed, with structure from process. And wherever we can, we always believe in having fun

Role Summary

 Responsible for the Development of Products (NPP and Pesticides) and Spraying Programmes on all crops in the EAF Export Region. Need to give Technical Advise and Support on a daily basis to Customers using various methods of communication.

Role Responsibilities

• Organize Farmer Days and Training Sessions for our Customers and Farmers in different Countries. Prepare Annual Budgets for Farmer Days and Training Sessions. (10% weighting)
• Responsible for the Development of Products (NPP and Pesticides) and Spraying Programmes on all crops in the EAF Export Region. Need to give Technical Advise and Support on a daily basis to Customers using various methods of communication. (20% weighting)
• Drive different processes to obtain new Registrations decided on by the EAF Export Manager. Must initiate, develop and write all Trial Protocols. Make sure that all Trial products are ordered and shipped to the different Countries on time. Liaise with Research Institutions regarding payments for trials, and make sure they get paid on time. Liaise with research Institutions and supply Protocols to them that need to be followed. (40% weighting)
• Must liaise with our UPL Regulatory Department regarding the development of New Labels and also make responsible Label changes and extentions. Drive Registration process from start to finish. Work closely with our Regulatory Department so that they update the UPL System often and correctly. (20% weighting)
• Liaise with all the Registration Authorities in the different EAF Export countries, and with our Regulatory Department to make sure that all our Registrations are in place and annually renewed (10% weighting)

Financial Accountability:   Manage the EAF Trial Budget. Responsible spending with Company Credit Cards. Manage the EAF Marketing Budget responsibly.

Geographical Coverage:    EAF Export Countries and SA

Internal Stakeholders

Liaise with Regulatory and R&D Team

• Regulatory support, R&D alignment, label development and registration renewals.
• Trial protocols, product development and system updates.
• Coordinate critical registrations required for EAF business growth.

Liase with Marketing Team

• Support farmer days, training sessions and customer-facing activities.
• Align on annual marketing budgets for farmer days and training sessions.
• Coordinate country and crop-specific customer programmes.

Liaise with financial Department

• Support payments to research institutions for trials.
• Assist with responsible budget and company credit card spend.
• Support EAF trial and marketing budget management.

External Interactions

Customers, farmers and clients in EAF export countries

• Provide daily technical advice and support through various communication methods.
• Create customized spraying programmes by country, client and crop.
• Organize farmer days and training sessions where required.
• Registration authorities and research institutions
• Maintain registrations, annual renewals and label updates with authorities.
• Provide trial protocols and coordinate payments for research trials.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Technical Requirements:

• Minimum total experience: 5 Years
• Qualification: BSc Degree in Agriculture or BSc Hons Degree in Agriculture. Qualifications obtained from Agricultural Colleges i.e. Cedara college of Agriculture, Lowveld College of Agriculture and Glen Agricultural College will be considered.
• Certification: AVCASA will be a plus point. If not then the candidate MUST obtain an AVCASA Deploma within one year after Employment
• Technical experience: Agricultural pest control, client advisory, product development for NPP and pesticides, and spraying/application calibration.
• Trial and registration capability: develop trial protocols, coordinate trial product samples, support label changes and drive registrations through to renewal.
• Preferred sectors for talent: From Agrochemical Industry or chemical industry

Behavioural Outcomes

• Liaise independently with customers and authorities across different export countries
• Build effective working relationships with export customers, regulatory stakeholders, R&D, marketing and finance.
• Willingness to travel often to EAF export countries, including trips of up to two weeks, to provide technical support and manage trials.

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 the 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.