Job Description

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

Skills Required