Job Context
- As Director: Sales Demand Generation & Distribution, you will be responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of pharmaceutical principals for whom the business provides demand generation and distribution services.
- You will develop and execute account growth strategies, drive market activation initiatives, oversee commercial performance, and ensure delivery against agreed service levels and business targets.
- Working closely with cross-functional teams including Supply Chain, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing, and Customer Service, you will ensure that commercial plans are translated into effective execution and measurable business results.
Key Performance Areas (KPA)
Account Strategy & Growth Planning
- Develop and implement strategic account plans to drive revenue growth, retention, and portfolio expansion.
- Identify opportunities to increase market share and strengthen principal partnerships.
- Drive long-term account value creation and sustainable business growth.
Demand Generation Planning:
- Translate principal objectives into annual and quarterly demand generation strategies.
- Develop targeted plans across brands, customer segments, channels, and geographic regions.
- Align demand generation activities with business objectives and market opportunities.
Sales Execution & Market Activation:
- Lead in-market sales execution and commercial activation initiatives.
- Drive promotional campaigns and customer engagement activities.
- Monitor sales performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
- Maximize demand, market penetration, and portfolio growth.
Financial Performance Management:
- Manage revenue, profitability, budgets, and working capital performance.
- Monitor sales pipelines and commercial performance metrics.
- Ensure cost-efficient operations and achievement of financial targets.
- Drive accountability for commercial results across the business.
Client Service & SLA Management:
- Ensure contractual obligations and service level agreements are consistently achieved.
- Maintain high service standards and customer satisfaction.
- Monitor service delivery performance and address operational challenges proactively.
Customer Relationship Management:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with pharmaceutical principals.
- Conduct regular business reviews and performance meetings.
- Proactively resolve issues and identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships.
Cross-Functional Commercial Coordination:
- Collaborate with Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, Regulatory, and Customer Service teams.
- Ensure demand generation plans are operationally feasible and effectively executed.
- Drive alignment across all commercial and operational functions.
Performance Reporting & Continuous Improvement:
- Analyze account performance, customer insights, and service delivery outcomes.
- Develop actionable recommendations to improve performance and efficiency.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement and commercial excellence.
Talent Management & Leadership:
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing sales and commercial team.
- Drive workforce planning, succession management, and talent development initiatives.
- Build organizational capability and create a strong leadership pipeline.
- Foster an engaged, accountable, and performance-driven culture.
Qualifications Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Business, or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA or postgraduate qualification in Business, Sales, Marketing, or Commercial Management.
- Professional training in:
- Key Account Management
- Sales Leadership
- Customer Service Excellence
- Commercial Management
Skills & Experience Required:
- 12–15 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales and commercial operations within Nigeria.
- 6–8 years of experience in middle or senior management leadership roles.
- Demonstrated success in delivering revenue growth and achieving commercial targets.
- Proven experience leading large sales and commercial teams.
- Strong understanding of:
- Pharmaceutical demand generation
- Principal account management
- Distribution operations
- Regulatory requirements within Nigeria
- Track record of building commercial capability and driving organizational growth.
Leadership & Behavioural Competencies:
- Strategic orientation and strong business acumen.
- Client-centric mindset.
- Inspirational leadership and people development capability.
- Continuous improvement orientation.
- Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
- High levels of interpersonal effectiveness.
- Strong ethical standards and commitment to organizational values.
Technical Competencies:
- Profit & Loss (P&L) Management.
- Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Cost Management.
- Business and Operational Management.
- Commercial and Contract Negotiation.
- Route-to-Market Strategy Development.
- Healthcare Value Chain Management.
- Sales Performance Management and Forecasting.
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Job Context
- As the Director: Business Development, you will be responsible for developing and executing business development strategies that strengthen the company's market position and expand its pharmaceutical partnerships.
- You will build a robust pipeline of opportunities, establish strategic relationships with multinational and local manufacturers, and lead the end-to-end process of securing new business agreements.
- Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will shape commercially viable solutions, manage bids and proposals, oversee contract negotiations, and ensure the successful onboarding of new principals.
- The role also includes leading and developing a high-performing Business Development team capable of delivering long-term strategic growth.
Key Performance Areas (KPA)
Market & Opportunity Intelligence:
- Conduct market, customer, and competitor analysis to identify and evaluate growth opportunities.
- Monitor industry trends and market dynamics to support strategic decision-making.
- Develop insights that drive business development priorities and commercial growth.
Business Development Strategy & Pipeline Management:
- Develop and execute business development strategies aligned to organizational objectives.
- Build, manage, and maintain a qualified pipeline of prospective pharmaceutical principals and strategic opportunities.
- Prioritize opportunities based on strategic fit and commercial viability.
Principal Acquisition & Relationship Management:
- Establish and cultivate strong relationships with prospective pharmaceutical principals and partners.
- Lead engagement activities to secure new business and strategic partnerships.
- Position the organization as the preferred route-to-market partner.
Solution Design & Commercial Value Proposition:
- Design innovative and commercially attractive service solutions for prospective clients.
- Develop compelling value propositions that address client requirements and business objectives.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure solution feasibility and profitability.
Bid, Tender & Proposal Management:
- Lead the preparation and submission of RFIs, RFPs, tenders, and commercial proposals.
- Ensure proposals are competitive, accurate, and delivered within required timelines.
- Manage the end-to-end bid process to maximize win rates.
Pricing, Negotiation & Contracting:
- Lead commercial negotiations with prospective principals and partners.
- Oversee solution costing, pricing validation, and contract development.
- Secure profitable agreements while maintaining strong business relationships.
Client Onboarding & Handover:
- Ensure seamless onboarding of newly acquired principals and clients.
- Facilitate effective governance, handover, and transition processes to operational teams.
- Support the successful implementation of new business agreements.
Commercial Reporting & Growth Planning:
- Provide regular reporting on pipeline performance, market intelligence, and business development activities.
- Support executive decision-making through data-driven insights and growth forecasts.
- Contribute to long-term commercial and strategic planning initiatives.
Talent Management & Leadership:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Business Development team.
- Drive workforce planning, succession planning, and capability development initiatives.
- Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and commercial excellence.
Qualifications Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, or Business.
Preferred Qualification:
- MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Formal training in Negotiation, Key Account Management, Business Development, or related commercial disciplines.
Skills and Experience Required:
- 12–15 years' experience within pharmaceutical commercial environments.
- 6–8 years' leadership experience in business development, trade marketing, or route-to-market functions at a national level.
- Proven track record of securing and growing partnerships with multinational and local pharmaceutical manufacturers.
- Experience across ethical (Rx) and generic branded/unbranded pharmaceutical portfolios.
- Strong experience in product launches, commercial strategy, and route-to-market management.
Competencies Required:
- Strategic thinking and business acumen.
- Strong financial and commercial management capability.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
- Client-centric mindset with a focus on delivering value.
- Advanced negotiation and influencing skills with a win-win approach.
- Data-driven decision-making capability.
- Strong CRM and pipeline management discipline.
- Business improvement and continuous enhancement orientation.
- Inspirational leadership and people development skills.
- High level of interpersonal effectiveness.
- Integrity and commitment to organizational values.