Country Manager at Cipla Limited

Cipla is a global pharmaceutical company which uses cutting edge technology and innovation to meet the everyday needs of all patients. For more than 70 years, Cipla has emerged as one of the most respected pharmaceutical names in India as well as across more than 170 countries. Our portfolio includes 2000 products in 65 therapeutic categories with one quality standard globally. Cipla’s turnover in FY 2013-14 was 1.7 billion USD.

Whilst delivering a long-term sustainable business, Cipla recognises its duty to provide affordable medicines. Cipla’s emphasis on access for patients was recognized globally for the pioneering role played in HIV/AIDS treatment as the first pharmaceutical company to provide a triple combination anti-retroviral (ARV) in Africa at less than one dollar a day and thereby treating many millions of patients since 2001.

Cipla’s research and development focuses on developing innovative products and drug delivery systems and has given India and the world many ‘firsts’ for instance Triomune. In a tightly regulated environment, the company’s manufacturing facilities have approvals from all the main regulators including US FDA, UKMHRA, WHO, MCC, ANVISA, and PMDA which means the company provides one universal standard both domestically and internationally.

We are recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: Country Manager

Location: Lagos

Job Purpose

• Contribute towards the enhancement of our vision & implement strategy for the business in Country, starting from identification of products, capability building & business building and expansion plans.
• Establishment and management of Cipla  Representative Office, as appropriate.
• Development and implementation of strategic market  strategy for Cipla.
• Direct management for sales , marketing contribution including sales and marketing management to ensure agreed targets are met. Development and implementation of medical reps.
• Business Development, leveraging, new product and regulatory strategies for the country.

Key Responsibilities
Financial:

• Develops and implements country specific operating plans, ensuring achievement of objectives including growth of net sales, gross margin, operating income and capital expenditure.
• Establishment and management of Cipla offices where appropriate
• Achieve  financial targets for the country (sales and marktg contribution)
• Review Performance benchmarks on a monthly / quarterly basis and implement corrective measures in the concern areas for the region
• Follows up, contributes and manages on issues of Risk Management & Credit Exposure
• Contributes towards creation of Pricing Strategies which increase the company’s competitive standing and long terms plans.

Strategy Development:

• Proposes for approval and manages country budgets/expenses,  on a consistent basis, updating business plan & sales progress vs. expectations.
• Develops key business strategies consistent with company philosophy and drives implementation via the marketing, sales planning and forecasting processes. Where advantageous, optimises synergies.
• Timely reporting to Regional Head of all key sales, marketing, management, competitive developments on a monthly basis.
• Contributes to the company ‘sales leadership team’ through alignment with the business, positive leadership, managing positive and negative performance and providing solutions to problems.

Sales Planning:

• Management and control of the field force which may be directly under Cipla or through the distributor in respective countries. Depending on assignment, this includes direct management of Sales Force and/or marketing positions at all levels.
• Develops and self maintains/get involved in customer relationships with key  accounts, opinion leaders & key decision makers Levant.

Drives the development and implementation of the sales plans to ensure:

• Sales analysis tools are institutionalised
• That feedback and market information is gathered and channelled back to management for effective decision making.
• Resources are optimised for maximum efficiency in terms of coverage, segmentation and targeting of the right accounts.
• Drives sales excellence to leverage FF investments

Business Development:

• Responsible to identify opportunities to grow the local business and to prepare relevant business case to get them funded internally.
• Works in alignment with the Company business units and strategy in contributing as appropriate.

Operations:

• Contributes towards the creation of long term & medium term strategies for various product categories with special focus on deeper participation across the value chain
• Effectively collaborates and oversees back-office activities with logistics, CS, finance, HR and IT to ensure activities are in line with the business realities and objectives.

Business Performance Measurement:

• Drives, develops, motivates and manages the different functions within the organization including regulatory and medical affairs. Identifies, coaches and develops a strong leadership team.
• Instills a culture of high performance, quality, ownership and accountability within the workplace.

Customer & Support Operations:

• Personal influence and management of Key Account Management & Relationship Management (Internal & External)
• Personally addressing certain key issues / areas to build trust & lead by example
• Develop project management & supply chain strategies
• Contributes towards setting-up distribution network, audit & control; along with the company guidelines.

Supply Chain Management:

• Contribution and country representation in Rolling Forecast, S&OP and all relevant company systems and procedures.
• Ensure receivables are in line in minimizing risk and balancing out with expected performance
• Assumes own responsibility of all projects towards efficiencies and rationalization.

 Tactical Planning:

• Oversees the development and implementation of  tactical/marketing plans:
• Competitive brand positioning.
• Launches new products with excellence
• Embeds pricing policy.

Industry Networks:

• Develops sustainable contacts amongst industry, professional groups and/or government agencies to ensure Valeant is perceived as the leading player in the market.

Compliance & Customer Service:

• Ensure activities comply with legal, professional and ethical standards.
• Champion quality and cost effective customer service standards. 

Pharmacovigilance:

• The Country Manager will ensure that an adequate structure is in place in their respective organisation to carry out pharmaco-vigilance activities.  

People:

• Managing  as per the company value system and plans.
• Leads / coaches / manages people to ensure business continuity through succession planning
• Work closely with Regional Head,HR & Executive Committee members to establish and implement training needs and programmes.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Strong Line Management and Sales Force Effectiveness Experience
• Management of partner or distributors
• Business Development
• Exposure to Micro & Macroeconomic factor of business environment, would therefore require a strong conceptual and analytical bend of mind to operate in international business environment for the geography
• Minimum 2 years of International Experience of managing in similar role

Application Closing Date
Not Stated.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online