Development Lead Assistant

UPL-Ltd; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sustainable agriculture solutions provider in Pretoria seeks a Development Lead Assistant to support Development Project Leads with scientific research and analysis. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Agricultural or Natural Sciences and experience in the agrochemical industry. Responsibilities include maintaining and analyzing trial data, ensuring product label compliance, and coordinating with Contract Research Organisations for timely execution of trials. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative, sustainable agricultural solutions.

Benefits

Opportunities for career growth

Dynamic work environment

Focus on sustainability and innovation

Qualifications

• Experience in the agrochemical industry is required.
• Ability to prioritize and manage activities within set timelines.
• In-depth analytical thinking will be required to identify problems.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific support to Development Project Leads.
• Maintain and analyze project and trial data.
• Monitor product label for anomalies and review periodically.
• Coordinate trial program planning with CROs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent work

Education

BSc degree in Agricultural or Natural Sciences

CropLife Basic Crop Protection Certificate

Tools

Statistical analysis software

Job description

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 Development Lead Assistant

Location N4 Gateway, Pretoria

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 purpose of this role would be to provide a scientific supportive role to the Development Project Leads: Insecticides; Herbicides; Fungicides & Bio‑Solutions, on a day‑to‑day basis.

Role Responsibilities

Trial Data Maintenance & Analysis

• [L ocating and collating project and trial data and maintaining project development databases.]
• [Following up with CRO’s on trial reports and data so that all relevant information per project is available to the project Lead in an orderly and timely manner.]
• [Analysing and summarising trial data in a clear and concise manner to present the Lead with a quick overview of whether the data generated are consistent and conform to the protocol directive and registration guidelines.]
• [Must have the ability to observe and identify potential anomalies in data presented within the reports and be able to communicate this to the Project Lead in a meaningful way.]
• [C onducting advanced agrochemical related research for literature review purposes.]
• [Attend all Departmental meetings and record meeting minutes for record purposes]

Product Label Maintenance

• [Constant monitoring & review of company portfolio labels for anomalies & mistakes and update where necessary]

Managing Contract Research Organisations

• [Trial programme planning in conjunction with Development Leads in order to ensure the timely planning of trial executions]
• [Co‑ordinating the timely implementation of forecasted GEP & GLP trial plans in order to meet the expected execution dates relative to the season and application timing windows with CRO’s and study directors for GLP studies]
• [Management of CROs and expected outcomes with respect to required timelines for relevant reports/results to meet seaonal timings and planning of project timelines]

Individual/Team

• [Close liaison with Development Logistics Assistant in order to maintain R&D stock levels form the maintenance of sufficient stock levels to ensure sufficient product samples availability for trials]

Responsibility Weightage and % of Time Spent Matrix

Responsibility Weightage % of Time Spent

Area of Responsibility 1 65 60%

Area of Responsibility 2 10 10%

Area of Responsibility 3 20 20%

Area of Responsibility 4 10 10%

Strategic: Strategic 70%; Tactical 30%

Number of Direct Reports: 0

Number of Indirect Reports: 1

Internal Stakeholders

[Insert Internal Stakeholder 1: eg: Regulatory]

• [Liason with relevant Regulatory Leads per portfolio regarding project requirements/timelines, studies needed and progress thereof and necessary requirements to fulfil dossier requirements]
• [Manage process flow between Development Lead and Regulatory Lead in order to facilitate smooth flow of information to allow both departments to be up‑to‑date on project progress]

External Interactions

[Insert External Stakeholder 1: Contract Research Organisations ]

• [Constant liaison with CROs on project planning and progress.]
• [Constant project updates and timeous retrieval of relevant reports]

[Insert External Stakeholder: External Contractors]

• [Constant liaison with external contractors on project planning and progress.]
• [Liason with contractors with data sharing and report writing]
• [Constant project updates and timeous retrieval of relevant reports]

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Technical Requirements

• [BSc degree in Agricultural or Natural Sciences.]
• [Experience in agrochemical industry.]
• [CropLife Basic Crop Protection Certificate.]
• [Statistical understanding in a biological context ]

Behavioural Requirements

• [Ability to prioritize and manage activities within set timelines.]
• [Ability to work independently, under intense pressure at times, but maintain a high level of accuracy]
• [M eticulous preciseness especially with written tasks.]
• [In‑depth analytical thinking will be required to identify problems]

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 maximises 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.

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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