Sales Specialist at Ascendis Health

Successful delivery of the short- and long-term business objectives and performance targets for the Science product portfolio.

Required Learning:

• BSc (HONS or MSc) in Life Sciences (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology) or similar
• At least two years’ experience in the Life Sciences market.
• A minimum of three years Commercial experience required: Sales, Marketing or Business development
• Existing relationships with Key Opinion Leaders in research areas preferred
• Experience working in Molecular Biology and or Flow Cytometry will be advantageous

Key Job Outputs:

Sales

• Achieve and exceed Sales and GP budgets within territory, relevant customer accounts and product budgets.
• To promote SG product portfolio to existing and new customers
• Implement, monitor and ensure total territorial coverage
• Plan appointments and specifications for sales call.
• Prepare for sales call i.e. promotional material, sales quote etc.
• Visit customers according to sales and customer strategy.
• Effectively following up and concluding long term high value projects.

Business Development

• New Business Development: Account focused Marketing Strategies towards achieving and exceeding growth targets. Develop and implement tactical plans to realise new growth opportunities.
• Pro-active monitoring of opportunities for new business.
• Plan and facilitate workshops for existing and new possible clients in order to showcase and market SG services and products.
• Monitor market and customer movements in order to react effectively and proactively to any changes.

Business Administration                          

• Comply with required internal processes and reporting to ultimately deliver growth and manage sales performance.                       
• Comply with company quality system requirements.
• Interactions with all stakeholders to be in line with business values and code of ethics.
• Compulsory attendance of Review and Sales meeting per month.
• Ability to set standards / objectives and monitor own progress.
• Ability to Analyse information.

Sales and Marketing of Product Portfolio

• Prepare and submit sales and marketing strategies in line with the available budget
• Prepare sales and marketing material for the portfolio
• Develop and implement marketing plans for advertising campaigns and launches of new products within product budgets
• Plan and organize sponsored events, congresses and lectures

Customer Service

• Provide customers with relevant product information and resolve queries timeously
• Convey good product knowledge to Research, Diagnostic and Pathology customers.
• To solve customer queries and complaints.
• Continuous relationship building with all stakeholders.
• Compile and submit relevant internal reports as required.

Core Competencies:

• Integrity: ability to reflect acceptable levels of moral values and business ethics;
• Customer focus: willingness to respond to the needs of internal and external customers;
• Results driven: willingness to working well or for surpassing a standard of excellence;
• Serviced focus: respond to customers’ needs by doing it right the first time;
• Financial interpretation: ability to analyse and understand financial data;
• Negotiation: the ability to confer or bargain to reach an agreement;
• Verbal presentation: the ability to describe ideas to others by presentation;
• Business Acumen: the ability to identify business opportunities and successful manage commercial risks.

Job Requirements:

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Good Selling, planning and organizing skills
• Assertive, innovative, self-motivated and strong aptitude for customer service.
• Regular travel throughout South Africa, often with overnight stays
• Travel to Sub Saharan African countries required at times 
• Valid drivers’ licence
• Valid passport