Scope of the Role
The Product & Marketing Manager will guide the development and execution of marketing strategies designed to increase bottom-line contribution and expand Monsanto Vegetable Seed brands penetration and market position in Africa. He/she will be responsible for designing and implementation of Strategic & tactical marketing plans including the management of marketing programs budget of Africa in the most efficient way. He/she will have no direct reports. Position requires frequent travels within the territory (minimum 35% travel). Candidates are expected to be mobile both now and in the future.
Main Purpose of the Role
To identify market dynamics and growth opportunities, to develop plans to capture them and to successfully implement them through use of marketing mix. This includes support of key product introductions. The role requires good understanding of the seed market, competition, fresh produce channels and close cooperation with different departments to gather data and to design and implement marketing activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsible for providing marketing foresight and support on development and execution of Africa strategy, working closely with East, Central, Southern and South Africa Commercial Teams.
Preparation & Implementation of marketing plans:
Together with commercial lead(s), sales team(s) and TD teams develops annual marketing plans in line with company strategies, sales budget, main growth opportunities by incorporating new and existing products and all relevant elements of the marketing mix. Will suggest marketing activities like campaigns, field days, promotions, advertising /media plans, execute activities, measure the productivity, and improve.
For distributor markets, it requires cooperation with business partners to transfer company strategy in to tactics via distributors.
Update brochures and design brochures for new launches.
Collection of market, competition and customer intelligence; conduction of external market research:
Analyzes market environment to identify market conditions, trends and key business opportunities for area development. In collaboration with Business & product management team, defines relevant market surveys to be conducted and to broaden knowledge of customers, products, pricing and the seed chain & food supply chain trends. As part of the commercial team he/she is responsible for collecting reliable market size information at country, product, regional level and for analyzing data to facilitate decisions related to marketing mix and new product introductions – works in that area with the Business team to deliver accurate and on-time market & competition data. He / she is responsible for organization of in-house market surveys & joined surveys with key distributors.
Optimization of key new product introductions
Develops a plan (New Variety Profiling and Introductions) and implements activities in order to capture the full potential of product launches including distribution strategy, pricing and promotion.
Analyze current product range life cycle with replacement and new introductions in mind.
Pricing and commercial policies
Together with Business analysists & Business & Market Intelligence Lead, analyzes gross to net sales and determines action plans to capture value. He/she develops pricing and market funding strategies with commercial lead. Jointly responsible for approving price adjustments requests related to market conditions on matured product ranges together with product managers.
Compile annual Pricing files
Branding and communication
In collaboration with Area Communication Manager, leads the implementation of branding strategies for the designated area. Ensures diligent use of corporate guidelines in branding and institutional image and stationary material across the area. In distributor markets, he/she works with distributors to ensure correct delivery brand guidelines to market.
Distribution
Accountable for analyzing current and developing alternative distribution strategies or enhancing existing ones for the area. He/she analyze the position of Monsanto distributors in market, cooperatively work with distributors to improve. He/she is responsible for establishing relationships with various actors in seed chain to analyze opportunities and developing plans to capture growth.
Customer Relationships
He/she directly contact with direst / in-direct customers. Pays specific attention to developing a close business relationship with key-distributors enabling them to act as representatives of Monsanto Vegetable Seeds brands.
Support of Crop Teams
Organize crop team meetings and liaise with Product Managers acting as representative of the marketing function in a market crop team, with special focus on the Value Proposition and Pricing for new varieties and product portfolio optimization for his/her designated area.
Desired Qualifications, Experience and Special Skills
University degree preferably in Agriculture or related field and an MBA in Marketing.
CIM will be an added advantage
Minimum 3-4 years of relevant, Agriculture Business Marketing experience
Must have prior experience in Agricultural Industry or FMCG,Manufacturing
Demonstrated success working with complex products and markets across Africa
Knowledge of Marketing Fundamentals & Overall Marketing Process, applied successfully in Ag business
Sound planning and analytical capabilities
Problem solving skills
Exceptional organization and interpersonal skills
Critical thinker both operational & strategic
Ability to work across functions and boundaries in Africa, with the commercial team(s), product managers, TD, communication, external agencies, and able to handle customers from marketing point of view
Should be willing to work on Contract
We are looking for enthusiastic and committed candidates. Placements will be made in line with Monsanto’s Employment Equity Policy.
