Jobs Available at AstraZeneca

Typical accountabilities will include:

• Sales representative is responsible for selling Oncology products in the Gauteng & KZN Region. Technical expert of specific company products, or patient needs, calling on Oncologists. Typically establish long-term relationships with key customers.  

Individual & Interpersonal Effectiveness

• Recognizes and modifies own communication approach when working with colleagues and customers.
• Demonstrates versatility when working with a variety of contacts within the customer organisation.
• Works cross-functionally, sharing information that will help address the needs of individual accounts and decision makers.
• Is innovative in the generation of new ideas and solutions to problems.
• Can influence complex decision-making processes.

Selling Skills

• Develop a deep understanding of the customer/account.
• Derives insights from understanding how both the wider and local healthcare environment influences decision-making.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the patient journey, disease progression and impact upon the patient of different treatment choices.
• Demonstrates active listening skills, to enable greater understanding of the customers values and viewpoints.
• Uses a range of questioning techniques to elicit information relating to the unmet need and treatment options and to maintain positive tension.
• Updates appropriate records and profile information and communicates relevant information to cross-functional team.

Results Driven

• Identifies opportunities and strategies to improve positioning of AZ's specialist portfolio.
• Drives cross-functional and cross-regional collaboration to fully leverage AZ's account management capabilities.
• Shares information, insight, and expertise with sales team members.

Drives the Business

• Seeks to identify opportunities and actions that will help to achieve more strategic objectives.

Business Acumen

• Understands the wider business environment and incorporates this into their territory action plans.
• Applies knowledge of business principles e.g. SWOT analysis, to support sales efforts.
• Analyses appropriate internal/external data to develop their sales strategy.
• Positions relevant market access solutions in the context of AZ's value proposition (including where appropriate cost of diagnostic testing).
• Demonstrates detailed knowledge of the issues stakeholders & accounts face with reimbursement and budgeting, in the interconnected specialist ecosystem.

Knowledge: Healthcare Environment (Skills):

• Shows detailed knowledge of their healthcare ecosystem for their therapeutic area.
• Keeps abreast of the latest developments in the industry and new regulations.
• If appropriate, understands the Diagnostic environment, i.e., companion diagnostics, and potential barriers to effective treatment.

Customer:

• Understands the local healthcare environment, patient pathway and individual HCPs role and situation.

Compliance:

• Follows correct procedures and SOPs for all activities and planned meetings.
• Behaves in an ethical manner in response to requests or challenging situations.
• Ensures AZ's products meet with national and local guidelines and the product license.
• Ensures compliance with the AZ Code of Conduct, Global External Interactions Policy and Standards, and Privacy Policy and standards.

Disease, Science, Therapy, Product, & Competitors:

• Demonstrates solid scientific and disease area knowledge in their therapeutic area.
• Continually builds their scientific and disease area knowledge.
• Possesses detailed knowledge of relevant clinical trials and data.
• Demonstrates extensive understanding of their product portfolio and relevant competitor product.
• If this sounds appealing, please read on to understand the experience and skills we’re looking for…

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Must have a Tertiary qualification in Heath Sciences; life sciences and/or Human Anatomy ie: B.Sc
• Must have relationships with Oncologists in the Gauteng area and KZN.
• Gauteng based role, the candidate must reside in Johannesburg and willing to work KZN as a Country Trip.
• 4-5 years of proven sales experience with a Specialist Oncology track record is desirable. 
• Essentially must have 6 - 8 years plus specialist medical Sales experience. 
• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with and influence peers
• Demonstrated communication and platform skills
• Strong analytical ability.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Excellent communication skills: clear and concise messaging.
• Ability to work closely in collaboration with cross-functional business areas.

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Typical Accountabilities

• Provides effective lobbying and influencing on regulatory agencies and trade associations on product and legislative development issues and monitors changes in the regulatory environment in nominated region to support and advise relevant functions.
• Provides strategic regulatory advice support for product developments regional therapy area
• Represents AZRA on relevant external Trade Association committees to ensure AZ RA and/or AZ views on key issues are known
• Ensures adequate risk assessments and mitigation plans are included in the regulatory strategy documents
• Contribute effectively to Global Development programmes, providing expert advice and interpretive inputs on market legislation and requirements that impact on new and existing product registrations
• Ensures effective collaboration across the global, regional and local Regulatory Affairs interface enabling rapid and effective submissions, approvals and other product maintenance activities
• Participates in skill-development, coaching, and performance feedback of other regulatory staff working on the product/project
• Ensures all markets remain in compliance with product licenses maintained and ensuring improvement plans are in place to close compliance gaps. Provide support and advice on training and development to ensure all regulatory personnel in markets have an appropriate knowledge of quality and compliance
• Has personal responsibility for creating a culture of courageous leadership, creativity and collaboration
• If this sounds appealing, please read on to understand the experience and skills we’re looking for…..

Essential Skills and Experience Required 

• Qualifications: B. Pharm Degree Registration with South African Pharmacy Council, MS or PhD in life sciences or related field is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of pharmaceutical regulatory experience is a prerequisite with excellent knowledge and understanding of the current pharmaceutical industry
• Minimum of 5 years in people or team leadership is required
• This role requires a high degree of networking & collaboration both within and outside the organization in Africa.
• To ensure legal compliance with the relevant Health Regulatory Authorities (Country Specific where applicable in Africa), Medicines and Related Substances Control Act 101 of 1965, as amended and South African Pharmacy Act (Act 53 of 1974), and other relevant regulations in Africa.
• Experience with regulatory authorities in sub-Saharan Africa and French Speaking Africa will be advantageous
• Significant experience of regulatory drug development, manufacture, commercialisation or equivalent.
• Knowledge of regulatory procedures and legislation for drug development, product registration, line extension and licence maintenance
• Proven successful leadership and project management experience.
• Fosters an environment that inspires and empowers the team.
• Proficiency in communication is essential for effectively presenting scientific and strategic concepts, whether through spoken or written mediums
• Demonstrated experience in elevating the capabilities of the organization for now and the future.
• Broad background of experience of working in several groups in regulatory affairs or experience at a health authority
• Knowledge of regulatory procedures and legislation for drug development, product registration, line extension and licence maintenance

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Typical Accountabilities

• Successfully complete all training requirements, including product examinations.
• Engage healthcare professionals in dialogue about approved indications and product efficacy/safety profiles to support on-label prescribing for appropriate patients.
• Work with Sales Manager to develop a local strategy and business plan to meet or exceed sales and call execution goals in territory.
• Drive sales performance and ensure sales forecasts and assigned budgets meet or exceed therapeutic and territory expectations.
• Drive access in the public sector for both contracted products and seek buy-out opportunities.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of market, demographic, and managed markets information relative to assigned sales territory.
• Comply with all regulations regarding interactions with healthcare professionals, distribution of samples, etc.

Sales Achievement/Impact

• Effectively implement sales strategy and tactics, plan of action (POA) in accordance with company policies
• Conduct analysis of market/ competitors to identify territory business opportunities.
• Incumbent must effectively and optimally, manage your sales territory and to maximize the number of calls on target customers.
• Initiate and implement value-added programmes in the territory and the province through:
• Developing and implementing a quarterly territory planner
• Analyzing all the local data e.g. Sales data from provincial pharmaceutical depots, and call report system data, on receipt of that individual data.
• Maintaining an up-to-date customer data base
• Develop territory Business Plan based on POA and allocate resources (e.g. call activities, budget), for optimal
• Monitor territory business plan to ensure resources are directed to customer of greatest potential.
• Participate in promotional activity programmes to increase product awareness in the market.
• Update territory customer segmentation classification, database and call records continuously
• Deliver key promotional messages within approved detail aids and in line with POA
• Build trust and credibility with customers by demonstrating professionalism acting within the business code of ethics.
• At state sector may be required to call on Academic State Institutions for certain product lines like Oncology, Diabetes, Respiratory, respiratory to detail Head of departs on the products that are on tender and to lobby for buy-out business.
• Submit monthly reports commenting on deviations from Business Plan and intended actions to align performance with objectives.
• Ensure punctual delivery of reports / daily synchronisation.
• Maintain highest ethical standards and work in a spirit of AstraZeneca Code of Conduct, following rules & norms set by corporate policies.
• Ensure that all conducted activities are done in accordance with local legislation and corporate standards.
• Timely report (as per respective procedures): health/environment/well-being related accidents; adverse events that you became aware about; change in status of your Conflict of Interest.
• Regularly monitor territory’s sales performance versus budget
• Facilitate enlistment of newly launched and key products in Academic State Institution,
• hospitals and clinics by planned date.
• Initiate appropriate actions to ensure performance is in line with objectives.
• Territory Business Planning
• Customer Focus and Service
• Reporting/ Administration
• Broader impact on company success
• If this sounds appealing, please read on to understand the experience and skills we’re looking for…

ESSENTIAL SKILLS and EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Completed Degree/Diploma with a life science background
• 3 years plus proven track record as a Sales Rep in the pharmaceutical environment
• Must have a good understating of the state/public healthcare system
• ⁠Previous basket experience/exposure would be an advantage with sound knowledge of Respiratory, Cardiovascular and Diabetes products.
• ⁠Existing relationships with key customers in the territory would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical ability
• Strong presentation skills
• Excellent communication skills: clear and concise messaging
• High learnability (incl. complex theory/science),
• Ability to work closely in collaboration with cross functional business areas.
• Must have a Valid driver’s license
• Computer Knowledge (at least Intermediate)
• Team Player
• Integrity and assertiveness
• Organised
• Results orientated
• Negotiation skills
• System thinking and acting in a consistent way