Job Openings at Aspen Pharma Group

OBJECTIVE OF ROLE

• Drive sustainable, profitable growth of the product portfolios/ therapeutic categories with appropriate strategic direction, brand stewardship and commercial acumen.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Decision making

• Develop promotional and advertising strategies that grow brand market shares against competitors
• Strategies need to create demand for Brands in portfolio’s by ensuring the necessary support to the sales teams with high levels of energy, motivation, integrity, and urgency to help them achieve sales targets
• Market analysis and gathering insights to arrive at strategic intent
• Develop succinct portfolio/brand strategies with supporting tactical plans in form of a Brand Plan to drive the strategic 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 strategies and to ensure that they are flexible to adapt to a dynamic environment
• Anticipate future trends in disease management and the market environment  

Commercial capability

• Ability to set sales budgets agreed in the business
• Managing advertising budget and spend for the portfolio
• Ability to manage cross-functional networks and channel resources for the portfolio to drive profitable growth
• 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
• 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 market potential of opportunities/pipeline with NPL team to successfully implement new products once launch ready
• Pipeline management to secure future portfolio assets with NPL team

Internal and external customer interaction

• Enthusiastically communicate plans and results with the Sales force, business leadership and relevant teams within the business regularly
• Drive cross functional efficiencies and collaboration with key stakeholders to deliver on quantitative and qualitative targets and achieve brand/portfolio priorities through engagements
• Sense of urgency in resolution of customer queries
• Quality assessments of portfolio/ brand strategy and tactical implementation through customer interactions / infield visits to obtain required intelligence and insights
• Optimize Training department engagements to ensure field force is fully equipped and aligned with strategic and execution requirements 

Requirements
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Matric
• Relevant Post Matric Marketing/Health Science Degree

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 3+ years Pharmaceutical and/or Marketing industry experience
• Successful track record and experience in Pharmaceutical Sales / Marketing
• 2-3 years’ brand/sales management experience would be beneficial
• Financial literacy
• Applicable industry knowledge
• Knowledge in biotechnology and biologics is advantageous

SOFT SKILLS AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Enthusiasm, passion, and high energy are key requisites
• Commercial acumen
• Analytical skills
• Project management
• Networking ability
• 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
• Influential and impactful presentation skills
• Adaptability and flexibility in a changing environment

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OBJECTIVE OF ROLE

• Drive sustainable, profitable growth of the product portfolios/ therapeutic categories with appropriate strategic direction, commercial acumen, team management and development, aligned to business expectations

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 Strategic direction, decision making, coaching and collaboration

• Ensuring the development and implementation of short- and medium-term marketing strategies for all promoted brands within their reporting Cluster
• Drive demand-generating strategies and deliverables to ensure dominance within the identified therapeutic areas.
• Collaborate with 3rd party providers to the BU Cluster as well as close collaboration with other commercial functions (Sales, Key Accounts as relevant to brand) to ensure effective implementation of brand strategies
• Coaching and motivating Brand Managers to optimize their effectiveness and that of the teams around them
• Anticipate future trends in disease management and the market environment (through market analysis and KOL engagement)

 Commercial capability

• Set, review approve and achieve sales budgets for presentation and alignment in the businessManaging advertising budget and spend for the therapeutic portfolio at Group Brand Manager levelMonitor risks and opportunities related to driving profitable and sustainable growth, coaching for and developing mitigating solutions where possibleAbility to interpret and implement insights drawn from a variety of internal and external data sources

Sustainable business growth and profitability

• Demand forecast accuracy and stock management which entails minimizing write-off costs and returns
• Monitor sales as well as margin performance vs target
• Ensure implementation of strategically aligned advertising and promotional campaigns and support and monitor execution
• Monitor ROI for future commitment decision making
• Successfully implement new products once launch ready and to ensure launch success through performance and execution management across the business
• Pipeline management to secure future portfolio assets with NPL team

Internal and external customer interaction

• Enthusiastically support marketing team members in their plans and communication with the Sales force, business leadership and relevant teams within the business regularly
• Create opportunities for cross functional efficiencies and collaboration with key stakeholders to deliver on quantitative and qualitative targets and achieve brand/portfolio priorities through engagements
• Sense of urgency in resolution of customer queries
• Quality assessments of portfolio/ brand strategy and tactical implementation through customer interactions / infield visits to obtain required intelligence and insights
• Engage support of Training department to ensure field force is fully equipped and aligned with strategic and execution requirements
• Compliance

Requirements
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Matric
• Commercial / Marketing Bachelor’s or Science related degree
• Min 3 - 5 years Marketing Line Management experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant therapeutic area knowledge and KOL relationships a definite advantage
• Understanding and experience in relevant market of portfolio operation is important
• A solid understanding of the SA pharma market
• Knowledge of therapeutic areas, market dynamics
• Budgeting experience
• Experience in delivering NPL’s to market and achieving success with these brands, based on the requirements of the market in which the brand operates
• Understanding of market access environment
• People management and coaching
• Understanding of tactical execution requirements at commercial level for prescribers and pharmacies (as relevant to BU and portfolio)
• Knowledge of excel, ppt, word, and data mining via BI.  Developed business analytics abilities 

SOFT SKILLS REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Results driven approach
• Commercial and strategic awareness and ability, including financial and demand forecasting and budgeting
• Leadership and coaching skills
• Project management skills
• Strong networking ability and a collaborative approach
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Self-starter and self -motivated
• Strong prioritizing, planning and analytical skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Aptitude for continuous learning and adapting to a changing environment
• Influential and impactful presentation skills
• Key Opinion Leader relationships beneficial
• Proven track record of successful launch experience

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OBJECTIVE OF ROLE

• To lead, implement, guide, and maintain all Commercial Management activities within the SADC Division for the successful execution of business growth and development. 
• Manage business trends and key business operations by ensuring input and output activities are executed effectively, while building strong customer relationships and business operational continuity. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Commercial Business Operational Effectiveness

• Execution of the Business Strategies and control measures to ensure effective business commercial operations are met for the overall SADC business.
• Manage all business commercial matters with respect to overall SADC Division pertaining to:
• Business commercial and operational management
• Internal and external matters through customer engagements.
• Finance and debtor management.
• Contract management
• Territory Management and building commercial opportunities in new and existing countries.
• Manage risk and exposure to business partners and manage Third Party Logistics (3PLs) partners to achieve operational effectiveness.
• Manage and monitor risk of supply chain and logistic operations.
• Manage and execute all customer relationship matters
• Support the onboarding of new customers for growth of the Division.
• Maintain and adhere to Division policies and procedures and SOPs to maintain effective business commercial operations.
• Assist in the review process and help monitor forecast vs budget and contribute to the adjustment of forecast changes in line with business growth expectations.
• Develop and implement Business Commercial SOPs and actions to run an efficient operational setup.

Business Growth and profitability

• Manage and monitor the business to achieve SADC related business targets and ensure that business growth and profitability is achieved by providing the necessary support to the division.
• Assist with the setting, reviewing and management of budget and forecast and assist with the budgeting exercise in line with company budgeting expectations.
• Management of and execution of the following to drive commercial business output:
• Master Data Management
• Price File Management
• Budget & Forecast Input
• Management of order to cash process.
• Manage customer payment terms.
• Drive commercial processes to maximize profitability in developing the SADC territory expansion opportunities.
• Seamless integration of information, physical goods and cash flow.
• Plan, lead, allocate and manage departmental activities, resources and tasks in accordance with agreed budgets, service/delivery targets and daily/weekly/monthly plans
• Establish and maintain appropriate systems for operational management and measurement
• Develop and implement continuous improvement plans and actions
• Elevate any financial risk of products in market and supply chain.

Business Continuity and Report management

• Plan and execute the following to ensure Business Continuity and Report management:
• Sales Data Management
• Sales Analysis & Data Analytics
• Management of all SADC Reports

Distributor and Supplier Relationship Engagement

• Customer Account Management
• Distributor Agreement Management
• Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and distributors on all commercial growth matters.
• Facilitate synergy between all commercial operations and all support functions.
• Ensure dependable supply of Aspen products to distributors.
• Ensure methods for improving distributor engagement and supplier services are proposed, developed and continuously updated.
• All queries are followed up and resolved in the shortest possible timeframe
• Always display a professional attitude.
• Internal and external customers are constantly updated as to the progress of all commercial matters.
• Implement effective ways of working with distributors and suppliers.
• Facilitate agreements with distributors and suppliers.

Commercial Engagement

• Engage and collaborate with Country Managers on sales force commercial activities to maintain sustainable customer relationships and optimize business opportunities.
• Implementation and Manage Business Commercial Strategies, ensuring continuous growth of market share, customer base, and achieving business targets. Ensure the team is aligned with business rules and this is communicated timeously to the team on all matters.
• Conduct business reviews and offer solutions in line with a customer’s strategies. Maintaining an understanding of customer needs and monitoring customer preferences.
• Resolve/escalated customer queries in line with company policies.
• Maximize productivity and effectiveness by assisting in executing business plans.
• Ensure the team has the necessary tools, and the data required to support the execution of their duties.
• Conducting monthly business analysis with all Country Managers and business partners as required.
• Achieve growth and hit business targets by successfully assisting the team.
• Ensure travel is conducted in all SADC countries and regular meetings with Country Managers, Sales Representatives and key stakeholders are maintained.

3PL and Supplier Management

• Responsible for coordinating and integrating the supply chain function with all Aspen supply chain partners and stakeholders to ensure legal, customs and manufacturing requirements are met.
• Documentation and maintenance of supply chain processes.
• Review of documentation required for the movement of inventory e.g. export documents, invoices, etc.
• Ensure cost effective methods are deployed and maintained with third-party providers.
• Develop, implement and manage standard operating procedures on a continuous basis.
• Implement new or improved supply chain processes with 3PL
• Monitoring suppliers’ lead-times to ensure customer expectations are met.
• Evaluate forecasts and orders and plan supply chain activities to ensure that customer demands are met.
• Follow up with suppliers on customer queries.
• Liaison with third party logistics partners to ensure service level is met.
• Daily interaction with Third Party Logistics partners for business continuity.
• Manage Ad-hoc projects.

Requirements
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Matric/Grade 12 Certificate
• Tertiary qualification (Commercial Degree) or related qualification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 4+ years of Commercial Operational Experience
• 2+ years in Business Development and Territory Management experience in SADC countries.
• Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry
• Forecasting and Budgeting experience
• Experience in Logistics and Supply Chain
• Experience in Customer Service Management and query resolution
• Exposure & knowledge of local SADC pharma markets
• Proven data analytics and data mining experience (Power BI)
• Knowledge of SADC business industry trends
• Knowledge of budgeting and forecasting
• Territory Management knowledge
• Knowledge of Customer Service Management and the resolution of queries
• Knowledge of Supply Chain and Logistics.
• Knowledge of debtor management

 SOFT SKILLS AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Planning, organizing and coordinating activities
• Highly numerate
• Excellent analytical skills
• Strong capabilities in logical reasoning
• Results driven
• Problem solving and decision making
• Independent and self-directed individual that can drive execution
• The ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) is essential
• Attention to detail
• The ability to manage projects
• Ability to think strategically and innovatively