Current Openings at UPL

Role Summary

• Manage routine activities, including but not limited to, studying and compiling scientific and legal documents to ensure that products allocated to the NPP portfolio are following governmental regulations. Work in partnership with the Project Lead: NPP on new project developments to ensure that all regulatory requirements are fully achieved to complement biological development in accordance with submission timelines and forecasted regulatory project budgets.

Role Responsibilities

Regulatory

• Maintain the NPP portfolio under regulatory and legislative compliance within the geographic region under scope, i.e. South Africa (ZA). At times may be required to aid other portfolios; Fungicides, Insecticides, Fumigants, PGR’s, Fertilizers, Seed Treatments, Herbicides, IVM, Adjuvants and Export Countries.
• Ensure registration of new products and maintain registrations of existing products within assigned portfolio/s within ZA.
• Prepare, i.e. collect, evaluate (accuracy and integrity), organize, collate and maintain scientific, legal and regulatory information/data in a variety of formats, including but not limited to electronic databases and physical files, related to portfolio of products.
• Ensure that the associated project regulatory expenses are paid on-time-in-full, in collaboration with R&D Administration Officer.
• Report regularly (daily, weekly, monthly) on the status of products or projects and provide responses to questions/queries/correspondence to internal (management, other departments) and external stakeholders (headquarters, regulatory authorities) related to portfolio.
• Work in Partnership and provide guidance to cross-functional teams such as Technical Product Development, Marketing and R&D PMO on regulatory requirements and the associated costs for submission of new business cases.
• Liaise with Formulation Development for in-house product development and sample requirements for regulatory studies.
• Ensure that suppliers of formulations and active ingredients meet the needs of ZA regulatory requirements.
• Schedule and manage portfolio related product renewals on an annual basis.
• Compile SDS's for new products and maintain updates for existing products.
• Keep up to date with changes in regulatory legislation and guidelines and inform relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure that quality standards are met and submissions meet strict deadlines.
• Support ad hoc requests relating to regulatory functions and related company initiatives.
• Support other regulatory Portfolios/New Portfolio/New Product Category (hybrid products) based on company need; seasonal workload, and company financial necessity.
• Promote teamwork, communication and foster a knowledge sharing culture.
• Be actively involved in all regulatory EDER (Early Detection, Early Resolution), activities, e.g. (including but not limited to) sudden changes in legislation such as implementation of GHS, or CMR molecules phase-outs. Provide early warning to business on regulatory trends, decisions, and possible impact.
• Responsible for the compilation of high-quality dossiers and/or submissions.
• Create, modify and maintain operating procedures and processes pertaining to specific portfolio, with agreement of Sub-regional Regulatory Head.
• Escalate all delays to sub-regional Regulatory Head and Regional Regulatory Head

Label management

• Draft and maintain GHS compliant labels for new product registration submissions as well as for amendments to existing products.
• Liaise with Supply chain Label Coordinator on printing of labels for new registered products.
• Supply label briefs to the Label Coordinator and help proof read label artwork,
• Provide supporting data for uploading and updating the global artwork management systems, eg. Karomi and local marketing platforms - UPL Website and Agri-Intel.

Document Courier

• Responsible to courier documents to and from the ACT 36 offices and confirm receipt and collection of documents, as well to timeously communicate any feedback from ACT 36 to manager.

Contracts and Agreements

• Ensure that all contracts and agreements are maintained for product portfolio registrations.

Any Other Job Related Details

• Maintain physical and virtual files, trackers, Gannt charts, support with timeous information for monthly/quarterly/other frequency management/stakeholder update. Maintain confidentiality of all sensitive information.
• Have an in-depth knowledge of relevant regulations and requirements for submission of registration applications

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Technical Requirements:

• Two to three years of experience in individual or team orientated projects in a science-based environment
• Minimum of B.Sc but preferably a post-graduate qualification (Hons. or M.Sc) in Crop, Agriculture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Microbiology, or Chemical sciences
• Any experience in Project Management or team supervision would be an advantage but not a necessity.

Behavioural Requirements

• Detail orientated and analytical is key to meet the high level of accuracy required for regulatory compliance. Working in a solution driven environment requires a self-motivated and persistent individual with a high level of creativity to work towards fact-based problem solving. Good sense of time-management and prioritization skills to support diverse projects running in parallel. Integrity and a professional approach to work.

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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 on Fungicide and Insecticide in the Western Cape 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 Fungicide and Insecticide products. Secondary focus of this role will be to supply technical advice and service to Distributor and Distributor 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 by create marketing opportunities with each, to drive marketing and sales, in conjunction with the UPL regional Business Manager, to achieve allocated financial targets.
• Drive business support initiatives to reach sales budget in the region and offer technical support on all UPL Fungicide and Insecticide products as well as other 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 Fungicide and Insecticide remedies.
• 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 on all Fungicide and Insecticide products.
• 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 relating to Fungicide and Insecticide range.
• Contribute to Fungicide and Insecticide 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 region.
• Contribute to future Fungicide and Insecticide 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.