Development Lead - Insecticides

United Phosphorus Limited (UPL); South Africa; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in crop solutions seeks a Development Lead for Insecticides to oversee product development within the R&D portfolio. This role involves managing project implementation, analyzing results, and ensuring compliance with market regulations while driving innovative solutions for agriculture.

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in agrochemical development or regulatory.
• Understanding of product registration processes and GHS labeling.
• Analytical skills and knowledge of statistical methods for trial data.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the R&D trial program for crops.
• Analyze trial results and draft summaries for registration dossiers.
• Liaise with CROs to ensure project execution within budget and timelines.

Skills

Results orientation

Problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Detail oriented

Customer centricity

Education

B.Sc degree in Agriculture or Natural Sciences

CropLife Basic Crop Protection Certificate

SACNASP accreditation

Job description

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Job Id: 10977

City:

Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Department: R&D Regulatory - Registrations

Function: Field Research & Technical Development

Employee Type: Permanent Full Time

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level

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Job Title: Development Lead: Insecticides

GJL: 4

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 substantially contribute to the development of new and existing products within the designated portfolio by meticulous planning, implementation, and management of approved projects to deliver comprehensive trial results to form part of dossiers compliant to the requirements of Act 36 of 1947, within designated timelines to meet business targets as well as changing global market food safety trends. The scope of this role would be for South Africa with support to Southern African countries that UPL SA exports to. Managing the scope, progress of projects and budget, would entail close cooperation with the associated Regulatory Specialist and Product Portfolio Manager as well as understanding from a sales perspective the customer centric pain points in formulating the deliverables in putting the value proposition of the eventual product offer together from the initial development process, through marketing into the final sales package. This role would focus on Insecticides.

Role Responsibilities

• Plan, implement and manage the R & D trial program for designated crops and products of the portfolio in line with product strategies & project scopes, as agreed with the relevant local and global Product Managers.
• Co-ordinate, manage and liaise with CRO’s for the timeous execution of projects in accordance with timelines and budgets ensuring accuracy of implementation and data generation, as well as concurrent report generation and reporting.
• Analyse trial results (via ARM) and draft summaries to demonstrate trial objectives and propose amendments for further development work, to ensure that project objectives are achieved. On completion of projects contribute to highly accurate, comprehensive yet concise registration dossiers to demonstrate that efficacy, selectivity, and residue data comply with regulations and meet claims in support of intended commercial use.
• Participate in local, regional and global portfolio meetings by providing accurate updates on technical trial results as well as sharing technical expertise to ensure that product development remains relevant to the market needs whilst ensuring product positioning is optimal within the portfolio as well as within the context of global trends.
• Maintain accurate updates to project management, budget tracking and regulatory tracking platforms to maintain data integrity and transparency.
• Liaise with and participate on industry body organisation committees; forums and/or meetings to gain information/contacts on industry trends and knowledge transfer that may have strategic importance to the role and to the company.
• Regular visits to trial sites to ensure trial progress is going according to plan and set timelines.

Individual/Team

Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; is responsible for performance evaluations pay reviews, and hire/fire decisions. Accountable for business functional or operational areas, processes or programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Technical Requirements:

• At least 5 years’ experience in agrochemical product development and/or regulatory department.
• B.Sc degree in Agriculture or Natural Sciences. A post-graduate qualification would be advantageous.
• CropLife Basic Crop Protection Certificate.
• SACNASP accreditation would be beneficial.
• Working knowledge of GHS Labelling requirements.
• Comprehensive understanding of Product registration requirements and processes. Above average knowledge of crops, crop protection (biological and chemical), crop nutrition as well as the general crop protection environment.
• Technical Project management.
• Understanding of statistical methods and management of trial data on the ARM platform.
• Detail orientated, analytical with a high level of accuracy in planning projects and managing trial data.
• Self-motivated and driven to find solutions in executing development projects in a practical manner within set budget and timelines.
• Creativity and flexibility are required in addressing challenges that arise during project execution and in contributing to data dossiers.
• Ability to prioritise, re-prioritise and manage all development-related activities within set timelines.
• Ability to work independently, under intense pressure at times, but maintain a high level of accuracy and meticulous preciseness especially with written tasks.

Behavioural Requirements

• Results orientation
• Adaptability and resilience
• Customer centricity
• Strategic orientation
• Problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills within a cross-functional group
• Detail orientated
• Self-motivated
• 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

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

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 develop 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.