Job Description

Purpose of Job:

• As Product Champion, demonstrates excellent knowledge and practice in sales & marketing, and fully exploits the full market potential of Abbott EPD products
• To manage and market the companys entire product range (including all therapy areas) through the developing, planning, implementing, measuring and being accountable for brand plans which optimize profitability, market share and revenue growth in the short and long term.
• Develops marketing strategies, plans, and tactics together with all other necessary elements and effectively communicates these to the sales teams in order to ensure proper implementation thereof to our customers.

Key Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Deliverables:

• To effectively communicate/design communication material for product benefits to all the relevant stakeholders in the value chain (Private sector + State Sector)
• To prepare and present marketing business plan (brand plans) per promoted product on an annual basis
• To provide strategic product direction & to create and execute product tactical plans aligned with strategy within specified time frames via the sales force and to measure quantitatively and qualitatively thereafter
• Maintain key customer and opinion leader contact to maximize Abbott EPD product performance in the respective therapeutic fields and support current and future objectives
• To maintain and improve product knowledge of the sales force and sales managers and to continually update knowledge on the product, competitors and therapeutic area
• To achieve targets for sales, grow market share, profit contribution and market penetration for all assigned product(s) (i.e. entire portfolio PLN)

• To monitor budgets for and control allocated promotional expenditure for the product(s)
• Ensure pricing for products within your area of responsibility receive the prior authorization of the Abbott EPD Africa Management before being extended to the customers
• Manage the new product introduction (NPI) process and ensure uploading of relevant BCFs after obtaining approval from Marketing Manager/General Manager
• Planning and implementation of product launches, including HCP education, promotions, stocking, functions, road shows
• To create, together with Demand Planning & Logistics, and be jointly responsible for accurate monthly rolling forecasts (SP&E + Mix - 28 month forecast)
• Responsible for overseeing market surveys /research and sales trends reviews while effectively utilizing available market intelligence tools (IMS, Impact RX, Internal Abbott Sales reports etc.) to identify customer buying patterns, sales performance and market dynamics
• Regular fieldwork with representatives, monitoring marketing plans (brand plans), identifying opportunities and gaining market intelligence
• Manage third party relations with relevant companies where Abbott products have been out- licensed / third party products have been in-licensed as per specific contractual obligations

Job Specification:Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualification in Health Sciences/ Business Sciences or equivalent. Additionally, Marketing qualification / IMM / Commercial qualification or training is an advantage.

Experience:

• 7-10 years relevant pharmaceutical sales & brand management experience
• Handling multiple brands across therapy areas and cross-geography exposure will be an added advantage

Key Competencies Required:Managerial:

• Effective strategic planning abilities
• Effectively communicate commercial value of Abbott products to target audience
• Effective forecasting and budgeting skills
• Project Management Skills

• Learns new or changing job processes, tasks/trends & applies them to the work as appropriate
• Creates role appropriate plans, action steps & timetables to support strategy, goals & assignments
• Takes thoughtful action, appropriately balancing speed and risk involved
• Proactively identified work issues/obstacles, communicates them to leadership/peers and creates appropriate contingency plans
• Uses experience, data, external/internal customer input to create better work solutions
• Delivers on expectations and meet commitments, holds self-accountable for results

Behavioral:

• Effective negotiation and communication skills
• Effective Presentation Skills
• Good interpersonal skills & ability to influence at all levels
• Works with a sense of urgency to deliver results
• Tactfully challenges assumptions and traditional ways of doing things
• Thoroughly analyzes problems to identify causes and not just symptoms
• Offers culturally appropriate, frequent and constructive feedback to peers and seniors
• Asks for feedback on strengths and weaknesses, uses the input to improve performance
• Uses an understanding of the larger business context to more effectively complete work

Functional / Technical:

• In-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical industry and its distribution channels
• Creative and planning ability
• Computer skills including good knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook
• Sound business and financial acumen
• Meet Quality/Compliance standards

• Identifies and implements process/product improvements that benefit company and customers

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