Brand Manager Job Vacancy: Monsanto Company – July 2017

Monsanto is an agriculture company with more than 20,000 employees focused on making a balanced meal accessible to everyone. We work to help farmers produce food in a more sustainable way. We think about how our food is grown so farmers have the tools they need to have better harvests.

We believe that bringing diverse perspectives together is the most effective way to develop creative solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. Career opportunities at Monsanto range from farming, plant breeding, and engineering to marketing, environmental science, IT and many other areas. We’re always looking for exceptional professionals interested in developing a strong career while collaborating to develop solutions for sustainable agriculture. Sound like a job for you?

Monsanto Commercial team is seeking a motivated Brand Manager – Malawi & Zambia based in Malawi, reporting to Africa Marketing and Product Management Lead. This role will work closely with the Marketing Team, Commercial and Country Leads, District Sales Managers, TD, Business Analysts, Supply, Customer Services.

Job Summary:

Facilitate the execution and delivery of part of Southern Africa region (Malawi and Zambia) consumer (farmer) and trade market strategy by providing marketing services within the approved budget with an objective of growing the market share to achieving set business goals and also manage execution of country plans.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational plans:

• Work in close conjunction with local commercial/sales teams to develop market-specific plans:

Market development (including pre-season field activities, in-season demonstration trials’ planning and management, harvest related field/market development activities);

Implementation actions and timelines;

• Work with Technology Development and RPO team to understand product performance and collectively develop core product positioning.

New product launches:

• Develop comprehensive launch plans for new (non-trait) products
• Lead cross-functional team to ensure execution of all critical activities for successful launch with tracking of key metrics
• Participate in the teams responsible for local biotech trait and new chemistry actives launches and drive associated in-country marketing program and branding initiatives.

Marketing plans and activities:

• Develop core messaging for products and USP aligned to agreed positioning with RPO & TD
• Develop ideas and concepts to increase awareness, usage and product value;
• Develop sales tools and collaterals to communicate core positioning and messaging;
• Ensure appropriate product training for sales force (with help from Technology Development);
• Support the hub Customer Insights Lead in the execution of local market/customer research to guide business decisions
• Develop annual calendar of marketing activities based on crop cycle
• Manage annual advertising & promotions budget.
• Track effectiveness of campaign /communication and implement action basis learning
• Oversee development and effective utilisation of brand website(s) and eMarketing tactics as required.

Market and competitor intelligence:

• Implement processes to track key competitors;
• Track competition marketing approach

Devise and execute the market funding programs to deliver desired business results

• Coordinate the write up of market funding programs and subsequent approvals process in DART

Devise internal and external communication of market funding programs to ensure clear understanding and effective execution in the market

Required Education Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in Marketing, Business, Commerce or related fields
• Minimum 5 years’ sales or marketing experience
• Experience in working with marketing campaigns, preferably digitally based
• Agricultural background, experience in the seed and/or agricultural industry is preferred
• Highly motivated, creative, dynamic and well organized
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Customer and market oriented.
• Good analytical proficiency.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks with associated deadlines for deliverable results
• Proven ability to influence effectively in a matrix organization and works well in teams

Why work with us?

• Life at Monsanto means collaborating with dedicated professionals in a stimulating environment.
• Our people demonstrate our winning culture through positive and meaningful relationships.
• You will work with market leading brand products in a global organization.
• We provide competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and some of the best career development opportunities in the industry.
• Monsanto is named Great Place to Work in many countries around the world.
• Join our global team where your contribution will make a real difference!