Head of Sales, Ruminants at Elanco

• As Head of Sales, Ruminants - South Africa, you will lead Elanco’s commercial activities across the intensive and extensive ruminant sectors, including feedlots, dairy, beef, sheep and pasture-based production. You will own the business unit’s commercial strategy, profit performance and execution, combining veterinary expertise with strong market and business insight to deliver sustainable, above-market growth. The role also provides strategic leadership across the wider affiliate and creates value for livestock producers, customers and Elanco.

Your Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute multi-year and annual commercial plans for the ruminant business, with accountability for profit and loss, operating expenses, revenue growth and market share performance.
• Lead the commercial and technical positioning of Elanco’s ruminant portfolio, including parasiticides, vaccines, antimicrobials, feed additives, metabolic therapeutics and technical diagnostic services.
• Build strategic relationships with corporate feedlots, dairy integrators, veterinary wholesalers, agricultural cooperatives, distributors, buying groups, livestock producers, veterinarians and academic experts.
• Use market intelligence, customer insights and industry analysis to identify growth opportunities, guide brand and lifecycle strategies, and respond to disease trends, commodity cycles, competitor activity and broader market conditions.
• Recruit, coach and retain a high-performing sales and technical field team through structured performance management, customer relationship management, sales effectiveness, field coaching and continuous capability development.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Veterinary degree such as BVSc, BVMCh, DVM or equivalent, with current or eligible registration with the South African Veterinary Council.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in the animal health or veterinary pharmaceutical industry.
• At least 2–3 years of demonstrated success in senior commercial management, sales leadership or business unit leadership, including sustained revenue and market share growth.
• In-depth knowledge of ruminant therapeutics, livestock production systems, feedlot operations, pasture-based dairy production and parasite control programmes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in an international matrix organisation.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in business, commercial management or marketing.
• Strong understanding of disease epidemiology and the clinical, economic and production implications of livestock health challenges in Southern Africa.
• Experience leading customer seminars, field trials, farmer training programmes or other science-based commercial initiatives.
• Demonstrated capability in strategic decision-making, commercial negotiation and organisational change management in volatile market conditions.
• Fluent English and Afrikaans proficiency and experience engaging with South African agricultural stakeholders.