Marketing Operations Lead - Africa

Job Title: Marketing Operations Lead, Africa

Location: UPL Head-office, La Lucia, South Africa

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

The Africa Marketing Operations Lead oversees the systems, processes, technologies and budgets that support the UPL Africa marketing efforts. The role focuses on optimizing workflows, improving efficiency and visibility within systems such as the Global New Product Launch (GNPL) and New Product Development (Calyx), ensuring accuracy of data, analyzing performance, and ensuring that marketing strategies are executed efficiently. The Marketing Operations Lead bridges the gap between the marketing strategy and implementation by providing operational support and data-driven insights.

The Marketing Operations Lead is crucial for ensuring that UPL Africa marketing efforts are not only creative but also efficient and impactful.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Campaign Management & Support

Overseeing the execution of marketing campaigns, especially when it comes to new product introductions and launches to ensure they are on time, within budget, and aligned with business goals. Managing project workflows and ensuring collaboration among teams.

2. Data Analysis & Reporting

Tracking and analyzing marketing metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of campaigns. Generating reports to guide decision-making and optimize marketing strategies.

3. Technology Management

Managing marketing technology tools and information within these tools such as GNPL, Calyx, Iolite, and other systems plus platforms, and analytics tools. Ensuring the tools are integrated, accurate and used effectively.

4. Process Optimization

Streamlining workflows to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks. Developing best practices and standard operating procedures, as well as the implementation and tracking thereof.

5. Budget Management

Monitoring marketing budgets and ensuring resources are allocated effectively.

6. Team Coordination

Acting as a liaison between marketing, sales, regulatory, development, IT, and other departments to ensure alignment.

Responsibility Weightage and % of Time Spent Matrix

Strategic:          

Number of Direct Reports:                         None

Number of Indirect Reports:                      None

Internal Stakeholders

Tier 1

• Marketing
• Development
• Regulatory
• Finance
• Pipeline Development & Governance

Tier 2

• Supply Chain
• Commercial

External Stakeholders

• Distributors
• Farmers
• Approved vendors

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Skills:

• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of marketing concepts and product development.
• Project management experience.
• Understanding of database structure, data hygiene, analytics, and attribution
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner. 
• Background in marketing, business administration, or related fields.

Technical Requirements:

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in economics, finance, marketing, or any related field with core competence on systems, analytics and processes.
• Knowledge and high level understanding of computer software such as MS Suite, Smartsheet, etc.
• Good understanding of marketing principles and technologies.
• Background in Agriculture will be helpful.

Behavioural Requirements

• Highly process driven, methodical and detail orientated.

• Be able to work under pressure and deliver continuous high-quality work
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to plan both short- and long-term.

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.