Product Manager – Commodity (Hospital & ARVs) (JHB North) at Aspen Pharma Group

OBJECTIVE OF ROLE

• Drive sustainability, sales revenue, and profitability of the portfolio through effective channel management aligned to product life cycle and business expectations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic direction development

• Develop channel management plans that grow/maintain brand market shares against competitors, depending on product life cycle
• Channel management needs to create demand for commodity brands in portfolios by managing a mix of channels and sales teams to help them achieve sales targets
• Market and channel analysis, and gathering insights to arrive at an effective portfolio plan
• Develop succinct portfolio/commodity brand plans with supporting tactical plans in the form of a Portfolio Channel Plan to drive the business intent
• Successful roll out and lead the implementation of tactical plans, and monitor the roll out
• Implementation, monitoring, and measurement of the success of the developed channel programs, and to ensure that they are flexible to adapt to a dynamic environment
• Anticipate future trends in the funding and channel environment

Commercial capability

• Propose sales budgets for presentation and alignment in the business. Achievement of approved budgets is required
• Managing advertising budget and spend for the portfolio
• Ability to manage the cross-functional networks and channel resources for the portfolio to drive the profitability of the portfolio
• Ability to interpret and implement insights drawn from a variety of internal and external data sources
• Sustainable business growth and profitability

Forecasting accuracy

• Effectively manage and monitor sales as well as promotional budgets
• Effectively manage and initiate the required Advertising and promotional campaigns to support execution excellence and maximize ROI
• Initiate robust measurements for tactical execution outcomes to maximize ROI and future commitment decision making
• Assess internal opportunities by conducting portfolio reviews for late lifecycle/commoditized brands from other BUs that can be better managed with a channel approach

Innovation

• Innovative approach to leverage available channels to obtain a competitive advantage and manage resources effectively
• Provide commercial direction for portfolio management

Internal and external customer interaction

• Enthusiastically communicate plans and results with the Sales force, business leadership, and relevant teams within the business regularly
• Identify opportunities for cross-functional efficiencies and collaboration with key stakeholders to deliver on and achieve
• Sense of urgency in the resolution of customer queries
• Assessments of portfolio management of channel tactical implementation through customer interactions/infield visits to obtain required intelligence and insights

Requirements
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Matric
• Relevant Post Matric Marketing/Health Science qualification preferred

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Min 1/ 3 years pharmaceutical Sales/Marketing experience
• KAM/Channel experience would be an advantage
• Understanding and experience in how pharmaceutical channels operate would be an advantage
• Understanding funder reimbursement would be an advantage
• A solid understanding of the Pharma Industry (pricing, hospital formularies, competitors, and market positioning)
• Forecasting Skills are crucial
• Commercial operations and processes (Sales, Marketing, Key Accounts) and impact on business
• Financial literacy

SOFT SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Enthusiasm, passion, and high energy are key requisites
• Commercial acumen
• Analytical skills
• Project management
• Networking ability (to develop and maintain KOL relationships included)
• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Self-starter and self-motivated
• Sense of urgency
• Prioritizing and planning
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Aptitude for continuous learning and coaching
• Influential and impactful presentation skills
• Adaptability and flexibility in a changing environment