Marketing Advisor Lowveld

UPL Limited (NSE: UPL & BSE: 512070, LSE: UPLL) is a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions, with annual revenue exceeding $6bn. We are a purpose-led company. Through OpenAg®, UPL is focused on accelerating progress for the food system. We are building a network that is reimagining sustainability, redefining the way an entire industry thinks and works – open to fresh ideas, innovation, and new answers as we strive towards our mission to make every single food product more sustainable. As one of the largest agriculture solutions companies worldwide, our robust portfolio consists of biologicals and traditional crop protection solutions with more than 14,000 registrations. We are present in more than 130 countries, represented by more than 10,000 colleagues globally. For more information about our integrated portfolio of solutions across the food value chain including seeds, post-harvest, as well as physical and digital services, please visit upl-ltd.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Job Title: Marketing Advisor: Lowveld

Location: Nelspruit

Role Summary

UPL South Africa is a leading company in the agricultural inputs industry. We have an exciting opportunity for a Regional Marketing and Technical Advisor in the Lowveld region of South Africa. The main focus of this role will be to drive and execute the business support initiatives to contribute in reaching the regions allocated financial targets with specific focus on NPP (Natural Plant Protection) products that include BioSolutions, biologicals and nutrition, UPL digital solutions as well as the UPL’s core crop protection portfolio, including herbicides, fungicides and insecticides, to Distributors and field representatives. 

Be responsible to drive the strategic agenda of UPL locally as well as Globally in accordance with Marketing strategic direction. Coordinate and plan strategy for allocated region in conjunction with regional UPL Business manager.

Primary - Role Responsibilities

Distributor and Distributor representative marketing and technical support.

• Service the Distributor and Distributor representatives and create marketing opportunities with each, in the area to drive marketing and sales, in conjunction with the UPL regional Business Manager, to achieve allocated financial targets.
• Business development responsibility, drive business support initiatives to reach budget in the region – NPP and Selected Strategic Products.
• Contribute to training programs and product presentations of UPL sales team, distributors, and agents.
• Contribute to demonstration trials plan definition & drive trial implementation in the region.
• Execute demonstrations, collect, and present data from demonstration trials.

• Contribute to key account approach development- customer data base with key promotion activities.
• Commercial trial work on all new NPP remedies and crop monitoring systems.
• Develop, maintain, and advance digital crop monitoring systems and programs within company strategic plan. (Satellite, drones, weather stations etcetera)
• Contribute to agent service & technical support.
• Utilise relevant commercial and /or demonstration trial locations as marketing/demo days.
• All the above in full coordination with the Regional Business Manager

Secondary - Business development and Portfolio Management

• Up to date knowledge of the markets and agricultural products
• Contribute to portfolio positioning strategy & continuous improvement in terms of value proposition statement.
• Contribute to product training presentations & promotion materials.
• Contribute to product launch planning & drive execution in his region
• Contribute to future portfolio strategy by identifying & suggesting new market opportunities
• Contribute to product pricing strategy including competitive analysis & differentiation in the region
• Recommendation on continuous improvement of current labels.
• Identifying new uses for current products.
• Content creation - Create content for marketing activities such as social media, brochures, trial results booklets, digital platforms etc.

Internal Stakeholders

• Liaises with Commercial, Development and Marketing on new product launches, technical training, focus products, marketing activities, demonstrations, and field events, etc.

External Stakeholders

• Distributors, Distributor representatives
• Farmers
• Researchers and industry specialists

• Suppliers

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• 5 years’ experience in crop protection industry in marketing & business development positions
• BSc Degree or Diploma in Agriculture. BASOS and AVCASA certified.
• If not BASOS and AVCASA certified, will be required to successfully obtain within first year of service.
• Good business/market intelligence and excellent technical skill regarding marketing tools and strategies.
• Broad knowledge of agrochemical & Ag input business with good industry credibility and value chain expertise
• Broad knowledge of crop cultivating and production methods.
• Good technical understanding of bio stimulant and innovative nutrition and key competitors in the market.
• General knowledge of the market and regulatory processes.
• Financial acumen with ability to understand basic financial principles.

Behavioural Skills Requirement

• Must be able to liaise independently with various customers and stakeholders.
• Must get along and be able to work closely with Distributors and their representatives.
• Be part of the UPL team and be willing to add value to the broader country initiatives.
• Must be willing to travel and attend workshops, meetings, etc. when needed.

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

Takes action, 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

We are one team, for maximum impact. One team with shared goals. We all play for the team and no one plays against the team. 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.

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