Graphic Designer & Events Co-Ordinator

Job Title: Graphic Designer & Events Co-ordinator, South Africa

Location: UPL Office in La Lucia (Kwazulu-Natal)

Role Summary

UPL South Africa is a leading company in the agricultural inputs industry. We have an exciting opportunity as Graphic Designer and Events Co-ordinator.

The main objectives of this role will be to:

1. Contribute to a diverse array of projects and media, utilizing various software to create innovative graphic designs and other media in line with Global Brand Specifications.
2. Collaborate with field marketers and portfolio managers to ensure designs align with organizational standards, brand guidelines, and accurately represent the company’s vision.
3. Work independently and collaboratively with the marketing team to meet deadlines, manage budgets, and schedule project implementation, often balancing multiple projects simultaneously.
4. Analyse existing workflows, identify areas for improvement, and develop solutions to enhance design capabilities.
5. Maintain and update internal databases for designs, photography, stock assets, and videos.
6. Event planning and co-ordination.
7. Assist with administrative and operational duties.

Role Responsibility

1. Content Generation: - 50% of time allocation
1. Collaborate with various teams to brainstorm and strategize on a broad range of materials, including presentations, brand collateral, signage, exhibition booths, internal communications, social media content, multi-media content, newsletters, annual reports, and marketing materials.
2. Interpret strategic direction to produce high-quality designs within the established brand identity.
3. Develop concepts and original content, selecting the ideal colour schemes, text, font styles, imagery, and layout.
4. Oversee the design and uploading process for all project materials, ensuring best practices are followed.
5. Utilize trend intelligence and insights from historical and current markets to design and execute specific creative outputs.
2. Events and Coordination: - 30% of time allocation
1. Manage, organize and attend events including Farmers Days, annual Agents’ Conference, Expos and Trade Shows.
2. Create ideas and arrange the necessary promotional display units and materials.
3. Request quotes from suppliers, get approval from management for procurement, receive orders, distribute and process invoices and payments.
3. Administration - 20% of time allocation
1. Keep all marketing related administration up to date and in good record (purchase orders, invoices etc.)
2. Make out purchase orders and submit to accounts.
3. Ensure payments are processed.
4. Compile and keep marketing budget up to date.
5. Order all company business cards (now includes other UPL BU’s).
6. Source suppliers and printers for all promotional items.
7. Maintain data libraries of all electronic collateral & content such as open designs files, stock image library and rendered files (print and multi-media).
8. Ensure all contractual obligations are met in terms of hospitality, trade show agreements and other, in line with UPL’s legal requirements.
9. Join monthly marcom calls and give feedback on the region.
4. Internal Stakeholders
1. All UPL Southern Africa departments and business units to ensure that collateral and other communications accurately represent UPL.
5. External Stakeholders
1. Managing a number of external agencies and contractors ensuring that project timelines and budgets are managed.
6. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
1. A degree or diploma in graphic design, art, or a related field.
2. At least five years of experience with design software, including Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Adobe Audition, and Adobe Premiere Pro.
3. Professional graphic design experience, ideally within a creative or marketing agency.
4. Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
5. Experience with animation software will be advantageous.
6. Photography skills and proficiency with photo-editing software.
7. Expertise in preparing artwork for both print and digital publications.
8. Experience in the pharmaceutical or agrochemical industry will be advantageous.
9. Strong creativity and a knack for innovative design.
10. Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
11. Strong organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
12. Willingness to continuously enhance skills through ongoing education and training in line with the company objectives.
13. 3 years’ experience in running proactive media relations and social media and experience in running cross countries and cross-cultural projects.
14. Ability to recognize local needs and cultural differences.
15. Fluent in English (Afrikaans will be an advantage).
7. Behavioural Skills Requirement
1. Change management.
2. Communication.
3. Creativity.
4. Customer focus.
5. Individual development.
6. People Leadership.
7. Result orientation.
8. Strategic thinking and forward planning.
9. Attention to detail.
10. Motivated and driven.
11. Work well within a team, but also be able to self-regulate.
12. High proficiency in administration and computer programmes.
13. Bilingual – Fluent in English and Afrikaans.
8. UPL Competencies
1. 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.

2. Entrepreneurial Mindset

Has a creative mindset and ability to think holistically, takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities.

3. Results Orientations

Takes action, pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition.

4. Execution Excellence

Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processes, systems, and people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation.

5. 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.

6. Building Teams and Talent

Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation, quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments.

7. Customer Centricity

Understands the customer needs and pain points, fulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers.