Product Planning and Product Management
- Establish and coordinate an annual marketing plan for the product portfolio.
- Develop an annual sales forecast and expense budget to support the Business Plan.
- Quarterly update in Forecast plans.
- Annual and monthly inventory/stock forecast.
- Monitor key financial area’s including the recording of monthly sales, expenditure and cost savings.
- Knowledge of the scientific and clinical background for the usage of the products.
- Transfer of the knowledge into reasonable strategies and support activities for sales.
- Set up pricing scheme for private and hospital customers.
- Support of tender processes.
- Comparison of different pricing approaches, such as market pricing or cost pricing.
- Develop and produce supporting tools for sales and direct marketing in cooperation with agencies where appropriate.
- Evaluate success of activities with regard to image enhancement and sales support.
- Control of legal necessities for product issues.
- Building and management of relationships to key influencers for the distribution of a product e.g. nursing unit managers.
- Basic understanding for the processes in the value chain of a product in the company.
- Driving processes, where new or altered operating procedures are needed.
Sales & Gross Profit
- Achieve sales and gross profit targets according to assigned goals.
- Analyze sales performance metrics for ongoing improvement.
- Responsible for joint calling on customers.
- Analyze competitor strengths, weaknesses, strategies, tactics etc. and identify business opportunities.
- Analyze month end sales results by product, territory and state to detect sales, market share and activity trends.
Administration
- Ensure filing and documentation is up-to-date and is compliant with standard processes and formats.
- Complete required reports within designated timeframes (e.g. finance, monthly KPIs etc.)
- Participate in the budget and forecast activities for the NPS cost centre.
- Provide input into the tender process for new accounts as required.
- Manage Supplier Reviews as required.
- Liaise with management and staff to ensure projects are conducted efficiently.
- Providing expert guidance to customers on Section 21 products and processes. Delivering accurate quotes and comprehensive Section 21 documentation as needed.
- Prepare orders, verifying the validity of accompanying SAHPRA approvals, for pharmacist authorization.
- Liaise with SAHPRA regarding outstanding applications.
- Maintaining a record of all interactions with SAHPRA, customers, and suppliers.
- Generate and distribute quotes and supporting documents to provincial and private clients.
- Follow up on outstanding orders, outstanding approvals and deliveries for customers and suppliers.
- Notifying customers when the validity of their approvals will expire and needs to be renewed.
- Record keeping of all outstanding orders and ensure stock is send out once all documentation is in place and stock is available.
- Requesting International Supplier Quotations for new products.
- Completing NAPPI code applications and reinstating current NAPPI codes.
- Credits - Handling of all upliftment, returns and credit notes.
- Maintain and update vendor information and pricing data, including price update notifications, for Orderwise, Medikredit, Dischem, Surgicom, MIMS, and other relevant systems.
- Liaise with Finance to recon the Sec 21 COD account.
Knowledge & Compliance
- Maintain a current and comprehensive knowledge of relevant competitors and general products.
- Attend relevant industry conferences to expand knowledge of relevant therapeutic areas.
- Understand the issues affecting the customers who prescribe our products and patients who use them.
- Promptly notify pharmacovigilance unit of all adverse reactions reported on relevant products.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, cutting-edge practices and techniques, current publications, regulations, etc.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of company standard operating procedures and policies and always ensure compliance.
- Ensure your Company related activities comply with relevant Acts, legal demands and ethical standards.
Customer Management
- Establish working relationships with clinicians, pharmacists and nurses.
- Coach staff in effective practices to build relationships with customers.
- Oversee customer education in collaboration with the Business Units, ensuring staff knowledge/skill levels meet customers’ needs.
- Identify and assess business development opportunities.
Clinical Services
- Ensure all NPS customers’ requests receive appropriate clinical responses.
- Ensure operating procedures are in place that require NPS orders have the required documentation prior to processing by Customer Service.
- Manage the customers’ requests during and after hours ensuring appropriate resources/processes are in place to ensure quick response times.
- Oversee the provision of drug information and educational activities to customers.
Medical Information
- Provide medical information responses to all internal and external customer enquiries.
- Maintain the Medical Information database of enquiries received.
- Participate in the maintenance of the medical information library and resources.
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Equity Pharmaceuticals products and available resources.
Pharmacovigilance
- Process spontaneous Adverse Events received to meet local, international, legal, regulatory and corporate requirements.
- Liaise directly with reporters when necessary (Pharmacists, Patients, Doctors etc.) to request additional information for Adverse Event reports received.
- Ensure compliance with reporting timeframes for MCC, Corporate PV and licensors have been met.
- Archiving and maintenance of Adverse Event documents (CIOMS, PSURs, AE files etc.)
- Provide information/advice on matters concerning Adverse Events and the conduct of Pharmacovigilance.
- Liaise directly with Regulatory and Customer Service regarding retrieval and testing of products involved in an Adverse Event.
- Liaise with Regulatory for all product complaint matters.
Requirements
Education
- B.Pharm Degree
- At least 2 years’ experience in a similar role / product knowledge within pharmaceutical environment would be advantageous.
- Experience with hospital-based medical specialists.
- Experience with hospital sales channels, commercial mechanisms and processes.
- Product knowledge, as well as hospital tenders is highly desirable.
Essential
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, etc).
- Valid driver’s license with own vehicle.
Behavioral Qualities required
- Assertive
- Attention to detail
- Good interpersonal skills
- Disciplined
- Strong communicator at all levels
- Ability to work under pressure
- Able to use own initiative
- Forward thinking and proactive
- Sound time management skills and deadline driven
Benefits
- Company Contribution towards Medical Aid
- AlexForbes Pension Fund
- GroupLife
- Performance Bonus
