Head of Marketing & Business Development - Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands

UPL is seeking a Head of Marketing & Business Development for Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, based in Nairobi, Kenya. This role involves leading marketing strategies, brand growth, and commercial performance initiatives. Responsibilities include portfolio management, brand equity enhancement, and strategic marketing leadership, requiring strong leadership and collaboration skills. UPL aims to provide sustainable agricultural solutions while fostering customer relationships and innovation.
Role Profile
Job Title
Head of Marketing & Business Development – Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands


Designation
Manager
Reporting To
Sub-Regional Head – Eastern Africa & Indian Ocean Islands
Matrix reporting to:
Head of Marketing & Business Development –Africa


Skip Level Reporting
Regional Head - Africa


Function
Marketing
GJL
GJL 4
Location
Eastern 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
UPL Africa is a leading company in the agricultural inputs industry. The Sub-Regional Marketing Head is responsible for leading and executing the marketing strategy across the sub-region. This role ensures alignment with global, regional, and sub-regional marketing objectives, drives brand growth, and supports commercial performance through integrated marketing initiatives. The position requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.


Responsibilities

Portfolio Management (35% of time)

Portfolio strategy and long-term planning. Provide strategic marketing guidance to R&D strategy, collaborating on the strategic direction of the organization.

Market information and competitor movements – volumes, prices of key molecules.

New Product Development - Oversee process, systems, budgets, timelines, etc. Systems include Calyx and GNPL.

New Product Launches - Introduction and optimization of new product introduction including launch strategy and planning, introduction campaigns, field activities, etc.

Creation of technical material, speaker packs, presentations, brochures, marketing collateral, etc.

Partner with Sales, Commercial, and Product teams to co-create go-to-market strategies for new products and services

Brand Equity (30% of time)

Build brand awareness - Campaigns, publications, field activities, demonstrations, demo reports, etc.

Brand governance - Ensure the brand is on point

Innovation in getting our brand and message to the market.

Loyalty programmes and incentives.

Build customer relations and look after customer satisfaction.

Manage trademark applications (searches and registrations)

Strategic Marketing Leadership (25% of time)

Lead strategic planning sessions with cross-functional teams to ensure marketing initiatives support commercial goals.

Identify market trends, emerging opportunities, and risks.

Develop and manage the sub-regional marketing budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

Track spend against budget and report variances with corrective action plans.

Ensure all marketing investments are justified by measurable outcomes and ROI.

Business Development (10% of time)

Identify opportunities within UPL as well as with external (3rd party) partners.

Manage all discussions, alignment, negotiations and contracts.

Manage relationships - both internally as well as externally.


Responsibility Weightage and % of Time Spent Matrix
Responsibility
Weightage
% of Time Spent
Portfolio Management
35
35%


Brand Equity
30
30%


Strategic Marketing Leadership
25
25%


Business Development
11
10%


Financial Accountability

Marketing Budget Ownership: Responsible for planning, managing and optimizing the annual Eastern Africa and IOI Africa Marketing Budget.
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