Job Opportunities at Aspen Pharma Group

Objective: Responsible for the promotion of products within a certain geographical area to Hospitals, pharmacists, nurses and doctor specialists. Responsible for retaining and strengthening relationships with Key External Experts.

Key Responsibilities
Commercial Excellence

• Build positive trust relationships to influence targeted group in the decision-making process, and to increase sales
• Drive cross functional efficiencies and collaboration with key stakeholders across the business
• Responsible for guiding, detailing to pharmacists, nurses and specialist doctors within the hospital arena
• To support the retention and development of Key External expert relationships through the detailing of a therapeutic portfolio
• Understanding of research and development trends, building product awareness and aiding decisions surrounding product acceptance
• Influence the opinions and preferences of other healthcare practitioners, health authority representatives and patient advocacy groups towards trusted and preferred brands
• Follow up with targeted HCPs, gather feedback on their experience with Aspen/ Ethicare products and provide them with an ongoing customer support to ensure effective choice and use of the products
• Manage, coordinate, and administer portfolio within regional territory including planning, territory analysis, implementing customer targeting and call coverage of customer base
• Drive Focus brands
• Achieve and exceed set targets and market share objectives and track sales data to achieve or exceed sales budgets
• Provide ongoing customer support to create additional value in the business relationship including product training, external meetings, and webinars
• Resolve customer complaints by investigating problems; developing solutions; preparing reports; making recommendations to management
• Communicate and report on adverse reaction within 24 hours and ensure that all product complaints are resolved within the respective timelines
• Plan, organise and arrange training to Pharmacist/ Pharmacists assistants
• Implement area specific strategies that would positively impact the business and share best practices within the team
• Maintain adherence business rules i.e., call rates standards, call logging adherence and ensure submission of monthly and weekly planners and reports

Value creation

• Monitor and analyze data and market conditions to identify competitive advantage and product usage to improve sales performance
• Pursue continuous learning and professional development and stay up to date with the latest industry trends,
• Plan and organise and arrange training to HCPs
• Promote products ethically and within compliance based on company’s sales process and approved marketing strategy

Compliance

• Adherence to all CCCO expectations in customer interaction and activities

Skills and Attributes:

• Product knowledge on both Ethicare /Aspen and competitor products within hospital
• Effective territory management
• Knowledge of basic financial calculation i.e. Gross Margins, mark-ups.
• Analyzing of Aspen/ Ethicare in house data and external data sources
• Very strong communication and negotiation skills
• Administration skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent Presentation skills
• Problem solving and decision making
• Numerate, analytical, high attention to detail, able to prioritize
• Execution and understanding of set budgets

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the Hospital business/industry
• Have a complete and thorough understanding of the scope of the pharmaceutical market
• Understanding of the budgeting and forecasting processes,
• A good grasp of marketing strategies and processes,
• Strong negotiation skills,
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• MS office – with Advanced Excel Competency
• QlikView, TPM, IMS, SSD Models, Impact RX and Rep-wise Model

Education & Experience

• Matric qualification.
• A tertiary medical/healthcare qualification.
• Minimum 5 years proven successful track record in pharmaceutical industry will be required, in hospital / specialist arena
• Minimum 5 years detailing experience to specialist doctors is essential.
• Existing relationships with key customers would be an advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, presentation and negotiation skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Qlik vw, repwise

Closing Date: 24th, June 2022

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OBJECTIVE: 

The Business Analyst graduate will be employed on a graduate programme to advance their skills in Analytics as the person chosen will have this as their primary interest.

The Business Analyst graduate will go through a robust training process whilst being exposed to creating basic reporting under supervision. They will be working under the guidance of an experienced analyst.

This person would be exposed to the various departments with FMCG Sales in order to gain Insight on the collaborative work required within the division. The second level exposure would be to the Business in stages to align with the business support aspect of this role and understand where the role fits in within the organisation.

As a graduate you will be exposed to the following:

• Basic business analytics – look at interactions within FMCG Sales and how the various teams fit in and collaborate
• Training provide on data sets and required to complete basic data extracts
• Gain an understanding of Source data vs models created
• Meeting with External departments involved
• Exposure to BI department to understand how data is incorporated into useful models for the business
• Assistance on work whilst learning
• Accompanying meetings
• Generating simple reports

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, such as Excel and PowerPoint
• Basic skills in effective communication verbally and in writing with diverse groups including business associates, technical associates.
• The ability to interact with colleagues.
• Critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Matric/ Grade 12
• Must have a completed relevant Degree in Engineering /B.Com /B.Bus Science /BSc. Computer Science

Closing Date: 17th, June 2022

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MAIN DUTIES

 Key Responsibilities for Administration and Project Co-Ordinator:

• Divisional Co-Ordinator to the OTC team.
• Oversee and enforce Aspen’s digital preservation, asset file and metadata standards.
• Manage any updates to the status of assets.
• Address technical issue, and work with teams on defining ways to optimize the process for a better user experience.
• Work with team members on compliance and regulatory observations with respect to digital assets
• Assist in ensuring optimal revenue, profit, and market share growths for the OTC Portfolio.
• Play a key role in preparing for scheduled new product launches within the OTC Portfolio market in the upcoming period.
• Ensure critical understanding of all internal systems that are critical for Marketing; IMS, SSD, AUTOKAM, CCCO, as well as external data analytical ability i.e. AC Nielsens.
• Ensure advanced excels, compiling excel driven monthly landing reports, to be analyzed and driven with Sales and Operations teams.
• Assist in developing annual brand plans for the OTC portfolio to achieve business goals
• Provide key support to ensure flawless execution of the marketing plans through effective cross functional operation
• Continuously monitor and track brand performance versus agreed KPI’s.
• Liaise with relevant functions in the business to maintain supply of allocated products to market, ensuring efficient stock levels and sales forecasts are met
• Engage with and gain commitment from all stakeholders by communicating the recommended solutions or opportunities in a rationale manner
• Sufficient understanding on the competitive market, keeping up to date with activity and promotional efforts of key competitors, to ensure our strategic roll-out is better focused.
• Manage brand office administration i.e VEEVA/CCCO approvals and follow ups, CE and PO submissions and expense budgets effectively
• Actively build and manage working relationships with internal partners (stakeholders), External partners (agencies) and cross functional teams (Legal, Regulatory, Finance, Supply chain, Marketers)
• Actively takes on projects that contribute to individual growth and development
• Acquires skills and knowledge on managing different brand portfolios simultaneously

Requirements

Skills and Attributes:

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to understand and balance budgets
• Computer Literacy
• Ability to work under pressure
• Time Management
• Problem Solving Skills
• Planning Skills
• Customer Service Orientation
• Influence
• Accuracy
• Initiative
• Attention to detail
• Logical thinking
• Confidentiality
• Information Seeking
• Effective utilization of resources
• Sense of urgency

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: 

• Matric Certificate/ Grade 12
• Marketing or Science Tertiary qualifications
• At least one year experience in marketing.  
• Experience in Office Administration
• Fluent in Excel
• Experience in PowerPoint
• Windows XP
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles

Closing Date: 20th, June 2022

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Overview

• Develop, plan and execute the master production schedule based on actual and forecasted customer demand

Responsibilities

Production scheduling

• Manage the production schedule, including equipment, resources and related data/ systems, and fulfils associated admin requirements
• Provide “what if” capacity and schedule analysis for changing demand, staffing constraints, and new customer project awards
• Plan to minimise effects of resource constraints
• Schedule maintenance, calibration and cleaning slots
• Schedule trial and validation batches
• Reschedule backlogs daily, and prioritise and expedite as needed
• Suggest batch size changes, re-routing of products and outsourcing/ purchasing of additional equipment, as required
• Track material delivery, react accordingly and follow up
• Plan to optimise output and meet demand

Production coordination and reporting

• Work with production supervisors and managers for optimal efficiency to meet the needs of internal and external customers
• Communicate regarding schedule adjustments
• Supply manufacturing with rough-cut capacity requirement planning
• Prioritise and expedite products with production
• Raise/ approve concessions for use of alternate materials
• Assess and report on manpower requirements
• Perform stock out analysis and prepare stock out reports
• Report on budgeted, planned and actual recoveries
• Add new products to correct schedule areas and categories for bulk and end item level in the ERP system, and notify relevant parties
• Ensure change controls are actioned appropriately

Risk management

• Monitor sales against forecast volumes, identifying at-risk products
• Identify supply deficits, over-scheduling, capacity constraints and under-loaded schedules and highlight recoveries-related financial risks and critical materials shortages
• Review stock and sales reports; provide feedback & remedial plans
• Analyse customer status reports; identify and resolve issues
• Review and manage inventory associated with QS items
• Ensure delivery terms are met and that correct documentation accompanies consignments

Operational Input

• Provide technical and operational input on operational planning of the unit and on the prioritisation of objectives
• Indicate resource needs to enable achievement of work objectives
• Monitor and control use of assets/ resources within work area

Job Requirements

Background/experience

• 4 to 6 years’ experience in a Supply Chain, Procurement or Production Planning role
• Experience in a sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
• 3 year degree or diploma in Procurement, Logistics or Finance, or a related discipline

Specific job skills

• Computer literacy: proficiency in Excel, Word, Powerpoint and ERP system

Competencies

• Information Gathering
• Interrogating Information
• Taking Action
• Managing Performance
• Planning and Organising

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Overview

To plan and co-ordinate new launches, product transfers and post commercial amendments to ensure timeous delivery to market and the co-ordination of artwork implementation for existing products

Responsibilities

Product Launches & Re-alignments (Product Transfers)

• Compile project plan and co-ordinate all project plan activities of launches and product transfers to ensure continuation of supply
• Maintain and use tracking systems
• Identify and mitigate risks and challenges
• Meet with relevant stakeholders to ensure the readiness of the existing and new sites
• Evaluate excess material available for transfer /selling or write off for product transfers and ensure activities are completed

Rework / Reprocessing

• Interface between stakeholders and arrange for request completion
• Coordinate the quotation completion, initiate and track status to delivery

Change Management

• Provide input from a launch perspective in the prioritisation of submissions to SAHPRA and drive implementation thereof
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of post commercial amendments once approved.

Artwork Implementation

• Co-ordinate the implementation of new artwork for existing products.

Adherence to Standards

• Comply with all GMP/GLP standards and regulations
• Identify, manage, eliminate or mitigate any hazard or potential hazards

Plan and Process

• Implement policies and procedures
• Leads team in the implementation of administrative improvements
• Provide recommendations to management on improvement in processes

Reporting / Reporting and Record Keeping

• Coordinate and consolidate the gathering of information for reporting
• Analyse consolidated data in own area of responsibility and provide recommendations to line manager
• Compile detailed reports and documents
• Monitor and control data integrity in all databases

Stakeholder Relations

• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve work objectives and to maintain relationships external
• Communicate with employees and management, to assist and convey information

General Office Support / Administrative Support

• Provide and coordinate systematic and dependable support services
• Lead the provision of advanced administrative, operational, customer support and computational tasks

Skills Required

Background/experience

• 3 - 5 years experience in Pharmaceutical environment
• BComm Supply Chain Management, OR BSc/N.Dip. (Chemistry), or BPharm, or alternative qualification

Specific job skills

• Project Management
• Supply Chain Management

Competencies

• Taking Action
• Pragmatic Action
• Meeting Deadlines
• Finalising Outputs
• Following Procedures
• Working in Teams

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Overview

• To perform technology transfer and scale up of new products into the Aspen SA Operation (Pty) Ltd manufacturing facilities. The main focus will be on (but not limited to) solid dosage forms.
• Provides technical / scientific support for internal and external technology transfer of manufacturing processes. Troubleshoots problems encountered during tech transfer/process optimization during product transfer.

Responsibilities

Planning and project support

• New product introduction assessment
• Technical feasibility assessments and manufacturing gap analysis of products and processes
• Draft preliminary batch manufacturing instructions and process flow for product costing.
• Draft Technology transfer protocols, project plans and timelines and prepare proposals and status reports
• Compile technical documents that comply with local and international regulatory guidelines
• Identify project issues and recommend methods for resolution 

Project management

Support aspects of tech transfer projects, including:

• Feasibility and risk assessment
• Protocols and Planning
• Trial and validation batch manufacturing
• Execution and tracking
• Collaboration / assistance with cross-functional teams, including for example, MSAT, regulatory, SVP projects according to operational requirements 

Manufacturing science, technology troubleshooting

• Advise and consult on recommended changes to production processes in conjunction with MSAT team
• Assist in solving capacity problems within the factory
• Review any changes in the manufacturing process before implementation
• Good understanding of Quality by Design concepts
• Perform developmental experiments by employing Design of Experiments 
• Prepare Quality by Design reports

Risk management and process validation

• Conduct feasibility and risk assessments
• Ensure that project planning encompasses quality, risk and process validation aspects
• Ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance throughout tech transfer processes
• Generate Process Validation Protocols and Results Records.
• Assist the MSAT team with manufacture of process validation batches.
• Knowledge transfer of new manufacturing process to operators and production pharmacists
• Review and approve the Process Validation Report
• Recommend effective process changes relating to the validation report in conjunction with MSAT.

Requirements

Skills Required

Background/experience

• 4 to 6 years’ experience, with at least two years in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, or 1 to 2 years experience in relevant manufacturing environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Engineering or similar

Specific job skills

• Knowledge of Pharmaceutical technical issues, manufacturing processes and operations environment
• Knowledge of validation, regulatory affairs, R&D, and new product transfer
• Knowledge of local and international  pharma guidelines

Competencies

• Offering Insights
• Investigating Possibilities
• Innovative Thinking
• Technical/scientific report writing
• Data analysis

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Overview

• Leads the receiving, storing, dispensing, and packing of scheduled drugs and controlled materials.

Responsibilities

Sample testing before storage

• Verify the replacement of the label after “For release” is approved

Dispensing of raw material

• Check that correct stock was picked for the batch
• Do dispensary line opening
• Check dispensed material against batch records
• Update information into the ERP system

Sample testing after storage

• Supervise the sourcing of the selected material
• Supervise the sampling of content by required specifications
• Make requests for the repacking of the box restock
• Supervise and verify cycle counts and stock counts

Management of Schedule 5 and 6 items

• Oversee the complete flow of material or FG from receipt to dispatch
• Adhere to Legal requirement  as per GDP, GMP and GWP guidelines

Management of the destruction process for obsolete stock

• Manage process, from receipt to destruction of stock, inclusive of the administration process, i.e. SBF’s, ERP transactions, approvals

Planning & processes

• Implement and coordinate systems and procedures and make decisions within policies and procedures, or as authorised by superiors

Asset/ Resource management

• Determine resource needs within own area of responsibility
• Request required assets and resources for the fulfilment of work duties
• Use assets and resources optimally within own area of responsibility

Technical/ Functional expertise

• Apply comprehensive knowledge of discipline/ specialisation
• Stay up to date on developments, trends, legislation and industry regulations within area of expertise

Reporting & record keeping

• Gather information required for reports to be generated in department or area of technical expertise
• Complete and consolidate standard documents
• File, archive and retrieve documents in hard and soft copy filing system
• Maintain and update records and systems as required
• Retrieve supporting documentation and records to facilitate and support query resolution

Skills Required

Background/experience

• 0-2 years’ experience as a Pharmacist
• Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy
• Registration with the Pharmacy Council as a Pharmacist

Specific job skills

• ERP System knowledge

Competencies

• Meeting Deadlines
• Interrogating Information
• Planning and Organising

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Description

Planning and section management

• Lead and co-ordinate activities of individuals and teams engaged in purchasing and distribution of relevant categories
• Provide input into operational planning and prioritisation for section
• Manage section budgets and resource requirements
• Define section strategy, goals, actions required and timelines
• Provide section staff with day-to-day guidance, direction and tasks

Communication and stakeholder engagement

• Develop, manage and maintain a suitable supply base, and supply chain for relevant categories
• Communicate within and across departments
• Monitor supplier quality and internal customer satisfaction
• Resolve escalated problems and deal with negotiations and supplier visits
• Liaise with forwarding agents, co-ordinates communication with Procurement, Pack Tech, Planning Production, Stores, Finance and Laboratory, as needed
• Maintain a strong link between Procurement and Finance

Performance monitoring and reporting

• Review business needs on a continuous basis to ensure category strategies align with business requirements
• Create and review category-specific strategies (e.g. sole source vs. dual source, continuity of supply, supplier diversity, performance requirements) and implementation to minimise category spend
• Establish, monitor and report on category-specific KPIs that can be used to monitor performance against targets
• Report on progress against plans and KPIs

Procurement analytics

• Perform various spend analytics (spend by category, vendor, diversity, and sustainability of supply)
• Perform price variance analysis
• Maintain spend database
• Develop and maintains a master catalogue

Process design

• Provide input into, interprets and executes policies and procedures and develops SOPs
• Set budgets and policy/ guidelines for categories
• Optimise bidding processes to increase efficiency

Skills Required

Background/experience

• 7 years’ experience in manufacturing logistics or procurement
• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Supervisory or managerial experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing or Logistics, or a related discipline

Specific job skills

• Computer literacy with strong Excel knowledge

Competencies

• Customer Awareness
• Meeting Deadlines
• Making Decisions
• Planning and Organising
• Interrogating Information

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Overview

• Lead supplier development, supplier negotiations, RFQs, and Category strategy for major suppliers​. Identification of continuous improvement opportunities

Responsibilities

Supplier management

• Communicate and negotiate with suppliers
• Monitor quality standards and identifies performance failures
• Conduct supplier audits and reports on supplier performance
• Manage supplier communications and documents and process flow, including RFIs, RFP, RFQ, and RFB’s
• Resolve supplier issues; maintain working relationships with key suppliers
• Set up new vendors and coordinate with legal to support new contracts; maintain/ update existing contracts
• Identify new suppliers and products in the marketplace
• Vet potential supplier’s capabilities (delivery, quality, services)
• Review insourcing and outsourcing opportunities
• Negotiate with suppliers to carry stock for fast moving items
• Assist in the drafting of specifications as required, and provide advice and guidance to customers on procurement processes
• Review and approve price variances (Order vs Invoice Prices)
• BBBEE and procurement administration

Risk management

• Maintain and report on adherence to internal and external compliance requirements
• Actively reduce third-party risk exposure
• Carry out risk management processes within Category  category

Quality and qualifying products

• Assist quality teams to obtain products needed to conduct finished product testing
• Schedule product trials and coordinate samples

Reporting and record keeping

• Maintain repository of procurement-related knowledge
• Maintain complete, compliant documentation of purchasing activities
• Maintain standards and updates SOPs for documentation and filing requirements

Budgeting

• Manage and optimise use of Category budget
• Provide input into required changes in resources to enable achievement of objectives
• Monitor and track and reports on expenditure against budget

Planning and coordination

• Optimise processes, identify gaps in policies, procedures and legislation, and propose changes or improvements to management
• Provide technical advice to internal stakeholders

Job Requirements

Background/experience

• 6 years' experience in a manufacturing procurement environment, and preferably with significant experience in a Category environment.
• National Diploma in (Procurement, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Finance), or a related discipline

Specific job skills

• Computer literacy

Customer Awareness

• Meeting Deadlines
• Making Decisions
• Planning and Organising
• Interrogating Information

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Overview

• Monitor, maintain and repair Plant environmental monitoring equipment/ machine, adhering to GMP and safety requirements.
• Plan and implement preventative and corrective maintenance to ensure optimal efficiency to meet planned production.

Responsibilities

Planning and Operational Support

• Act as a technical/ subject matter resource
• Facilitate implementation of current processes
• Identify gaps in current policies and procedures
• Provide input into changes or improvements to processes, tools and techniques

Site Utility Maintenance

• Plan technical requirements and maintenance tasks according to production requirements to meet Production Plan
• Review and update maintenance schedules
• Maintain and repair special machines/ equipment to ensure reliable supply of steam, purified water, compressed and conditioned air for production operations
• Perform planned preventative maintenance and inspections according to maintenance plan, job cards, and SOPs
• Repair breakdowns according to best practice, job cards and SOPs
• Troubleshoot machine breakdowns to identify cause of breakdowns
• Perform root cause analysis to identify cause of machine failures and quality deficiencies to minimise machine downtime
• Implement corrective actions to minimise machine downtime
• Isolate, remove and replace defective components
• Complete and submit work requisitions; Create and close job cards
• Maintain workshop, tools and assets to standards
• Determine and request required parts, materials and special equipment to maintain machines/ equipment
• Install, test and validate machine operating efficiency
• Validate allocated assets according validation master plan
• Clean work area(s) and equipment/ machines
• 5S champion for area of allocated assets

Reporting and record-keeping

• Gather information required for reporting
• Complete and consolidate standard documents
• Document and file data according to SOPs and regulation
• Update records and systems as required
• Retrieve supporting documentation and records to facilitate and support query resolution

Skills Required

Background/experience

• Trade Tested Fitter with 2 to 4 years’ post Apprenticeship experience or qualified as a Fitter, Electrician, millwright or refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic.
• Pharmaceutical Technician Certificate will be an advantage
• Manufacturing experience

Specific job skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing, standards and compliance requirements
• Ability to interpret and implement policies, processes and objectives
• Physically capable of lifting/ moving heavy equipment

Competencies

• Information Gathering
• Interrogating Information
• Pragmatic Action
• Meeting Deadlines
• Finalising Outputs
• Maintaining Accuracy