Job Description

As the Vaccines Brand & Customer Manager, you will lead the charge in developing and executing innovative marketing strategies that resonate across diverse markets, driving brand awareness and customer engagement.

As part of the Vaccines Franchise for SADC, ECOWAS and EAC, you will be responsible for the end- to -end development and implementation of marketing strategy for key Vaccine Brands. This position reports to the HIV and Vaccines Franchise Lead with dotted line report to Regional Leads. The role will be based in Midrand, Johannesburg with extensive travel (40%) to the SADC, ECOWAS and EAC regions.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Brand & Customer Manager is responsible for the following activities related to the Vaccines portfolio:

Identify brand growth opportunities, setting portfolio priorities and securing appropriate business plans within the country.Achieving the set sales budgets / targets and market shares in line with the division’s guidelines.Meet deadlines, work autonomously, analyze and plan when implementing strategies.Prepare for launch excellence and ensures launch readiness in the country.Collaboration and communication with all internal and cross-functional stakeholders.Immediate implementation of existing strategies.Support of salesforce in the implementation of marketing strategiesLead and deliver efficient and effective marketing programs that encourage increased use and growth of brands.Conduct market analysis to identify new development opportunities within therapeutic areas.Effectively work with field-based staff to provide a high level of responsiveness and support.Ensure a detailed understanding of market dynamics as well as patient, prescriber, and payer attitudes.Engage with top customers across SADC, ECOWAS and EAC with the objective to improve the patients’ health outcomes.

Qualifications:

•        3-year tertiary qualification in a Commercial or Health Science field.

•        Accredited Marketing or Digital marketing qualification would be preferred

Experience:

Applicants must have a minimum of +/- 5 years Pharmaceutical Marketing experience with a clear and demonstrated track-record of success.Exposure to the management of the vaccine’s portfolioGood understanding of business fundamentals and essentials of value creation.

Skills/Capabilities:

Self-motivated driver, able to work autonomously, be self-motivated & independent.Ethical and trustworthy.Familiarity with matrix report structureAbility to work under stringent timelines and due dates in the most effective and efficient manner.Must have a demonstrated ability to brand, promote and market products and concepts.Demonstrated effective organizational and communication skills are required.High level proficiency in English, both in oral and in written communications.Excellent presentation skills & ability to facilitate training sessions.Strong ability to build relationships with internal & external stakeholders such as policy makers, payers, and scientific leaders.Consumer marketing experienceLaunch experience.Compliance mindset and ethical standard

Key competencies:

High level proficiency in M/S Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPointAnalytical Skills with strong Finance acumenCustomer-Relationship-ManagementMarketing-Analysis & CommunicationAbility to develop and implement Digital marketing strategies.Oversight and collaboration with creative agencies.Understanding of the pharmaceutical compliance environment and regulations

Leadership behaviours:

Foster CollaborationHigh interpersonal skills & Customer CentricityInnovation & drive for resultsPlanning, leading and organizing.Dealing with ambiguitySupport of diversity and inclusionWillingness to experiment, learn and adapt.Entrepreneurial mindsetAbility to work collaboratively, influence and lead without a title

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

02/4/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID:R327750