MSD

Oncology Brand & Customer Manager - SA & SSA

In short

This role leads brand strategy, launch excellence, and cross-functional alignment for an oncology product portfolio across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa for a multinational biopharmaceutical company. It requires managing marketing budgets, forecasting performance, coordinating with Sales, Medical, Market Access and Regulatory teams, and developing customer-centric and digital engagement programs. Candidates need a commercial or health sciences degree, at least 5 years of pharmaceutical industry experience including multinational company exposure, and strong knowledge of the South African pharmaceutical market. Regional travel is required, and oncology marketing or sales background and SSA market experience are preferred.

Job Description
We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. As an Oncology Brand & Customer Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping brand strategy, leading cross-functional alignment, ensuring launch excellence, and delivering innovative customer-centric initiatives that support our mission of advancing prevention and treatment of disease through leading-edge science.
Responsibilities
•Lead the formulation, execution, and continuous optimization of brand strategies for the Oncology portfolio (selected indications and other brands as needed).
•Drive brand growth, market preparation, and launch excellence for new product introductions.
•Ensure alignment of brand plans with global and regional marketing strategies, customizing global materials for local relevance.
•Deliver the full marketing strategy and tactical plans, ensuring they meet performance expectations across the portfolio.
•Forecast and monitor performance, adjusting strategies based on market insights and in-market performance metrics.
•Manage promotional and brand-related budgets, ensuring resource allocation maximizes ROI and supports financial health of the brands.
•Analyze the local and regional oncology market, identifying commercial opportunities and risks.
•Understand and articulate the full Customer Buying Process, enabling effective segmentation, targeting, and engagement.
•Lead and align cross-functional teams—including Sales, Medical, Market Access, Regulatory, CDx, Communications, and others—to ensure cohesive execution of brand and franchise strategies.
•Coordinate with the Sales Force to ensure successful rollout and execution of marketing and promotional strategies.
•Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders professionally, fostering strong partnerships that enhance brand performance.
•Develop and deliver innovative, customer-centric programs aligned to preferred customer channels and needs.
•Seek new, creative, and digital-first ways of interacting with customers.
•Develop and execute scientific leader (SL) engagement plans across relevant markets.
•Prepare and deliver key tactical components including marketing tactics, channel mix, promotional activities, and resource plans.
•Track local and regional initiatives, manage budgets, and oversee reporting and business information systems required to support marketing and sales activities.
•Travel locally, regionally and internationally as needed to support business needs.
Qualifications
Required
•Relevant commercial or health sciences degree.
•Minimum 5 years of pharmaceutical industry experience.
•Multinational pharmaceutical company experience.
•Strong understanding of the South African pharmaceutical market and regulatory environment.
•Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•Demonstrated strategic thinking, initiative, and problem-solving ability.
•Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple priorities, and deliver against deadlines.
Preferred
•Oncology sales or marketing background.
•Regional SSA market experience.
•Digital marketing qualification or advanced digital capability.
•Market access experience.
•Understanding of French (advantageous).
•Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and customer-centric skills.
Required Skills
Adaptability, Brand Management, Competitor Analysis, Content Creation, Customer Insights, Customer-Oriented, Data Analysis, Digital Marketing, Event Planning, Market Research, Oncology Marketing, Product Management, Strategic Thinking
Additional Information
•Employee Status: Regular
•Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

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